Moonstone is a member of the Feldspar mineral group, containing the feldspar species albite and orthoclase. It is named for its blue-white
Birthstones by Month and Zodiac Stones - (Page)What are the Birthstones and Zodiac Stones, and what do they mean? Just when the Zodiac Signs were declared is unclear. Some form of zodiac use preceded the Babylonians, though it was the...
State Gemstones, Rocks, Fossils and Minerals - (Page)What is my state's official state rock, mineral, or fossil? Alabama designated Hematite as the state mineral in 1967, Hematite as the state rock in 1969, and Star Blue Quartz as the state...
Florida Rocks and Minerals - (Page)Florida is not really known for good cutting or lapidary material. But Florida does have some cool rocks and minerals. Primarily Florida is covered with sedimentary rocks: limestone or calcite and...
Connecticut Rocks and Minerals - (Page)Connecticut is small and the variety of rocks found there is small. But Connecticut still offers great rockhounding. A central lowland valley divides eastern and western Connecticut. This valley is...
All About Macrocrystalline Quartz-Part 2 Inclusions, Sheen, Phenomena - (Post)Quartz can have several phenomena including phantom crystals, rainbows or asterism (star effect). In Part 1 of my All About Macrocrystalline Quartz series we discussed the basics of Macrocrystalline Q
New Mexico Rocks and Minerals - (Page) Cutting Tigereye Cabochons - (Post)Cabbing Tigereye to take full advantage of its special beauty takes a little extra care. In the world of gemstones, there are so many amazing phenomenal stones. Phenomenal stones are those that displa