In 1766 an expedition in the Ural Mountains of Russia unintentionally exposed stunning flame-red crystals. In 1832 the crystals were given the name crocoise from the Greek word for saffron, referencing...
Rhodochrosite is a mineral known for its cherry red to hot pink crystals, which are generally a few centimeters in size but can be larger. Many of the world’s most valued rhodochrosite specimens were...
This month’s birthstone, aquamarine, takes its name from its color, which ranges from pale blue to sky blue to greenish-blue. The name actually means “water of the sea” in Latin. Crystals of aquamarine...
Malachite is a beautiful mineral known for its intense green color. Thousands of years ago, it was also ground into a powder and used as a coloring pigment. Malachite is one of the oldest known copper...
Gold is one of the world’s most popular minerals. Gold is both a native element and a precious metal and is one of the most useful minerals mined from the earth.
Throughout history, gold has been...
Hopefully your Thanksgiving was a pleasant one, filled with lots of turkey, stuffing and all the works. At the Dice Mineralogical Museum, we sure had a large apatite.
Though the mineral itself may...
Crocoite is an exotic red-orange mineral with elongated crystals and often waxy luster. Its deep color and rarity make it a highly sought-after mineral for collectors. Crocoite forms in the oxidation zone...
Dioptase is a mineral highly coveted by collectors for exhibiting one of the most intense blue-green colors seen in nature. Dioptase forms beautiful 6-sided crystals with perfect cleavage planes which...
Autunite is a wonderful mineral for several reasons. First and most obviously is the distinctive bright lime-green color and unusual rectangular tabular crystal habit it can achieve — resembling sheets...
It is about that time in the winter season when the warmth of the holidays has worn off, and those of us in Michigan are left with the cold and snow for a couple more months. Roads and walkways remain...
Pigeonite is a common rock forming mineral that belongs to the pyroxene mineral group. Pyroxenes are silicate minerals with varying amounts of calcium, iron and magnesium, and the pigeonite member has...
Better known from its colored varieties, ruby and sapphire, corundum is a highly appealing mineral for both decorative and industrial use. The bright, deep colors along with its rarity and high hardness...
