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, …

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

The best way to determine if water or ice are minerals is to compare their properties to the definition of the word mineral.

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 …

An introduction to rocks and minerals with detailed photos, description and identification information. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, and …

Serpentine - a group of metamorphic minerals used as gems and architectural stone.

Most of Earth’s crust is comprised of a small number of minerals. These minerals are known as the common rock-forming minerals.

Basalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals. It most commonly forms as an extrusive rock, such as a lava flow, but can also form …

A list of minerals in order of hardness can be a handy reference. If you determine that a specimen has a hardness of Mohs 4, you can quickly get a list of potential minerals.