MINERALOGY · 52 GUIDES

Fifty-two minerals, one guide at a time.

Mohs hardness, crystal system, color range — from mineralogy references.

Polished lapis lazuli slab showing deep blue colour with pyrite and calcite inclusions

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Lapis Lazuli

Light
Water—

Aquamarine crystal on matrix showing characteristic pale sea-blue beryl representing March's birthstone

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March Birthstone

Light
Water—

Marquise-cut diamond showing elongated navette outline with pointed ends and brilliant facet arrangement

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Marquise Cut

Light
Water—

Emerald crystals showing characteristic vivid green colour representing May's birthstone

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May Birthstone

Light
Water—

Imperial topaz showing characteristic orange-yellow colour representing November's traditional birthstone

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November Birthstone

Light
Water—

Precious opal showing vivid play-of-colour representing one of October's two birthstones

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October Birthstone

Light
Water—

Precious opal from Australia showing multicolour play-of-colour

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Opal (Precious Opal)

Light
Water—

Corundum gemstone specimen; padparadscha is the salmon-pink variety of this mineral species

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Padparadscha Sapphire

Light
Water—

Elbaite tourmaline specimen; Paraiba tourmaline is the copper-bearing blue-green variety

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Paraiba Tourmaline

Light
Water—

Pear-cut gemstone showing teardrop outline with a rounded end and single pointed cusp

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Pear Cut

Light
Water—

Natural pearl showing characteristic iridescent lustre and round shape

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Pearl

Light
Water—

Faceted peridot gem showing characteristic yellow-green colour

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Peridot

Light
Water—