Sylvia Rose
Calcite: Metal-Eating Bacteria to Coral Reefs
Calcite is made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). With stunning crystal formations and a range of beautiful colors, calcite also has...
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Sylvia Rose
Nov 144 min read
Algae in Glass Houses: Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an amazing natural powder ground from the sedimentary stone diatomite. The stone itself is made of fossilized...
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Sylvia Rose
Nov 115 min read
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂): Shining Copper Ore
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) is vital to the earth's geology. A primary ore of copper, this scintillating mineral is influential to health,...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 125 min read
Tungsten: Elusive Metal of Light, Art & Industry
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a rare and versatile metal. In nature, tungsten is found in ore form, combined with other elements....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 305 min read
Chalcedony Gems: Secrets of Silicon Dioxide
Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), or silica, holds fascinating secrets within its molecular structure. It's one of the most abundant minerals found...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 305 min read
Carbuncle: Red Stone of Magic & Medicine
Carbuncle has many meanings. Today it most often describes a deep red almandine garnet gemstone cut with a smooth, convex face or...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 234 min read
Aluminum(III) Oxide: Secrets of Precious Gemstones
Aluminum oxide or alumina (Al2O3) is the secret to the composition and allure of precious gems such as sapphire and ruby. This white,...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 234 min read
Corundum: Secrets of Valuable Gemstones
Corundum is a mineral composed of aluminum oxide. Living deep within the Earth in an environment of intense heat and pressure, the...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 13 min read
Goethite: The Other Iron-Rich Mineral
Goethite is common but like hematite a remarkable iron oxide mineral. In geology and mineralogy, goethite has piqued the interest of...
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Sylvia Rose
Mar 35 min read
Limonite: Ancient Earth Pigments
Limonite is an iron earth mineraloid among the first colors of the Stone Age palette. Grinding limonite produces yellow ochre. Other...
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