Photos and information about 80 common rock-forming, ore and gemstone minerals from around the world.

There are approximately 4000 different minerals, and each of those minerals has a unique set of physical properties. These include: color, streak, hardness, luster, diaphaneity, specific gravity, …

Minerals - Descriptions, photos, articles, properties and uses for common minerals.

The best way to learn about minerals is to study with a collection of small specimens that you can handle, examine, and observe their properties. Inexpensive mineral collections are available in the …

The best way to learn about minerals is to study with a collection of small specimens that you can handle, examine, and observe their properties. Inexpensive mineral collections are available in the …

Home » Metals » REE - Rare Earth Elements REE - Rare Earth Elements and their Uses The demand for rare earth elements has grown rapidly, but their occurrence in minable deposits is limited. Article …

Fluorescent Minerals Fluorescent Minerals and rocks glow with spectacular colors under ultraviolet light.

A small number of minerals and rocks will glow with spectacular colors under ultraviolet light. Learn how this happens.

In 1812, Friedrich Mohs developed a set of 10 standard minerals that could be used to assign a relative hardness to minerals and other materials. Today, over 200 years later, his hardness scale is still …

This appearance often occurs on cleavage surfaces of transparent to translucent minerals that include some micas, some feldspars, and some carbonate minerals. Examples include muscovite, …