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Jasper is usually considered as chalcedony.  Geologists sometimes put it in a group by itself within the quartz group because of its grainy structure.  The name jasper is derived from the Greek word “iaspis, which means “spotted stone.”  It incorporates various amounts of materials that give it both its opacity and color.  Brick-red to brownish-red…

There are two different minerals known as jade.  They are “nephrite,” which is an amphibole, and “jadeite,” which is a pyroxene.  Nephrite is the most common and widespread.  It is formed of a mat of tightly interlocking fibers, creating a stone tougher than steel.  It was used in China and New Zealand for tools and…

Fluorite is also called fluorspar, from the Latin word fluere meaning “to flow.” It is a widely distributed mineral that is mined in great quantities. It occurs in mineral veins, alone or as a gangue mineral with metallic ores and in association with quartz, barite, calcite, celestine, dolomite, galena, cassiterite, spalerite, topaz and many other…

Emerald’s name derives from the Greek word smaragdos, which in turn was derived from an earlier Persian word meaning green mineral. Emerald is a beryl, and is the best known variety of beryl.  Some of the world’s finest emeralds come from Colombia. Emeralds were mined by the Aztecs and also by the Incas over 500 years…

The most precious of the four precious stones, including emeralds, rubies and sapphires; diamonds are the hardest substance in the universe. Its name derives from the Greek word adamas, meaning invincible. The diamond is the only precious stone that rates a number ten in Moh’s scale of hardness. Made of pure carbon the only thing…

Coral polyps are marine plant-like animals and are extremely small, barely 2 millimeters in diameter. Coral’s external skeletons mass together to form tree like structures. They live in colonies, either in reef systems in warm, shallow water or in deep sea colonies. Coral polyps have a hollow cylindrical body, with a ring of tentacles around…

Citrine’s name derives from its lemon yellow color, and from the old French word citrine, meaning “lemon.” It is a yellow to brownish quartz (silicon dioxide) and resembles yellow topaz. Citrine has been popular for thousands of years and revered for its rarity. Citrine occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly in granite and gneiss.…

Chrysoprase is considered the most valuable stone in the chalcedony group; with a translucent apple-green color.  Its name derives from the Greek chrysos and prason, meaning “golden leek,” and was probably applied originally to a lighter or more yellowish chrysoprase.  The microscopic fine quartz fibers have a radial structure. The coloring agent is nickel. Chrysoprase…

Chrysocolla is a basic copper silicate composed of a mix of various microscopic crystals found in a variety of colors.  It has a greasy vitreous luster.  The name chrysocolla originated in ancient times, and was applied by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus in 315 BC to various materials used in soldering gold.  The name is derived from…

Chalcedony is a variety of microcrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide), often with some iron and aluminum.  It is composed of microscopic fibers.  Chalcedony is found in veins, geodes, and concretions.  It can be mammillary, botroyoidal, or stalactitic.  Chalcedony is found in numerous locations throughout the world. Its name may derive from the ancient port of Khalkedon…