Crystals

Aquamarine, a captivating gemstone, blends blue and green hues reminiscent of tropical waters. Prized for its clarity and calming properties, this March birthstone is believed to enhance communication and reduce stress. Its versatility makes it popular in jewelry, from delicate rings to statement necklaces.

Anorthosite is an igneous rock composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar. It forms deep within the Earth’s crust and is often associated with large intrusive bodies. Anorthosite can be found on Earth, the Moon, and other planetary bodies, providing valuable insights into geological processes and planetary evolution.

Arkansas is known for its unique diamond deposits, with Crater of Diamonds State Park being the only public diamond mine in the world. Visitors can search for diamonds and keep what they find. The park’s volcanic pipe has produced numerous large, high-quality diamonds over the years, including the 40-carat Uncle Sam diamond.

Almandine garnet is a deep red to purple-red variety of garnet, prized for its beauty and durability. Composed primarily of iron and aluminum, it’s the most common garnet species. Found worldwide, almandine is used in jewelry and as an industrial abrasive due to its hardness.

Arizona Tiger’s Eye, a lustrous gemstone found in the state’s deserts, is prized for its distinctive golden-brown bands and chatoyant effect. This variety of quartz forms in metamorphic rocks and is often used in jewelry and decorative objects. Its unique appearance is caused by fibrous inclusions within the crystal structure.

Alexandrite is a rare and highly prized gemstone known for its color-changing properties. It appears green in daylight but shifts to red or purple under incandescent light. Discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in 1830, it is now primarily mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.

Albite is a common feldspar mineral found in various igneous and metamorphic rocks. It forms part of the plagioclase series and is characterized by its white or pale-colored appearance. Albite is an important component in many rock types and has applications in ceramics and glassmaking industries.

Barstowite is a rare borate mineral discovered in 2002 near Barstow, California. It forms colorless, transparent crystals with a monoclinic structure. Named after its location, barstowite contains sodium, calcium, and boron. It occurs in evaporite deposits and is of interest to mineralogists studying borate formation.

Analcime is a zeolite mineral commonly found in basaltic rocks. It forms cubic crystals and has a chemical composition of NaAlSi2O6·H2O. Known for its ability to absorb water, analcime is used in industrial applications like water softening and gas purification processes.

Black obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed from rapidly cooled lava. Known for its smooth, glossy appearance and deep black color, it has been used for centuries in jewelry, tools, and spiritual practices. Obsidian’s sharp edges made it ideal for ancient cutting implements and arrowheads.