This glossary of minerals is intended as a basic introduction to inform collectors without overloading on information. Our focus is placed on commonly collected and obtainable minerals. We also limit the list to minerals to species we have a professional knowledge and understanding of. The goal of this article is to inform and empower the collector, and of course to get some crystals to their new homes. If you have any recommended additions or correction please feel free to contact us directly. The minerals are listed in alphabetical order.
For an exhaustive list of all minerals and their characteristics, we recommend mindat.org
Amethyst
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, and probably the most recognizable and commonly collected mineral on earth. Most amethyst comes from the prolific amethyst mines in Brazil, but can also be found in many other countries such as Mexico, China, Uruguay, USA, Turkey Canada, India, Zimbabwe, and more. The color comes from iron impurities and natural radiation. It can come in a wide variety of shades of purple, and can also occur with other associated minerals, notably calcite. The incredible calcite and amethyst combos from Uruguay are, in our opinion, some of the most incredible mineral specimens to collect and treasure. You can find multiple examples of amethyst in our online shop!
Azurite
Azurite is a stunning royal blue copper mineral with a colorful history and is appreciated by collectors of all levels. The distinct color is quickly recognizable, and examples are found in copper deposits all across the world. The mineral was prized as a pre-industrial revolution coloring pigment for hundreds or even thousands of years, and is a hallmark of the early American southwest collections.
The presentation can vary immensely, from tabular rosettes to incredible multi-mineral associations, particularly with malachite and malachite replacement. Because azurite is not very durable, the best specimens for collecting typically only survive in arid environments where exposure to destructive groundwater is limited. The deserts of Arizona, Morocco, Namibia and Mexico are all famous among collectors and geologists. Discover our collection of azurite in our webshop today!
Celestine
Celestine, or celestite, is prized by collectors mostly for its distinct sky-blue color. The clarity, luster, and attractive crystal shapes will combine with this beautiful color to make stunning specimens prized by new and old collectors alike. Celestite is a heavy mineral in the hand, with a very high specific gravity of 4.0. By far the most common locality for collectors is the Sakoany deposit, in Madagascar. If you see celestine in almost any rock shop, it came from here. Celestine is also very soft, use caution when handling to prevent structural distortion. It is also one of very few binomial minerals; the names celestine and celestite can be used interchangeably. However, Celestine is the IMA accepted name.
Fluorite
Fluorite is a highly prized mineral among collectors due to its remarkable range of colors, translucency, and unique crystallization. Some of the most famous mineral specimens and sought after localities on earth are fluorite! Its colors span a broad spectrum, including vivid purples, greens, blues, yellows, and colorless varieties, with some specimens showcasing multiple colors in striking bands or zones. Fluorite is arguably the best of all commonly collected minerals at trapping light and glowing when backlit. Notable sources of fluorite include China, England, Mexico, and the United States. Its vibrant colors, distinct crystal forms, and history of collecting make fluorite a standout addition to any mineral collection. Check out the incredible fluorite specimens in our online shop!
Emerald
Emeralds are widely recognized and valued by almost everyone across the world, and have been worn by royalty and people of great power and wealth. The distinct emerald green color is truly unlike any other colored mineral, easily recognizable and famous. It is a variety of Beryl, with the color usually coming from trace impurities of Chromium in the Beryl crystal lattice. The main specimen and cutting rough source is the prolific area of Muzo, Colombia. Production also comes from Brazil and Pakistan, but specimens are typically a much lower grade than Colombia.
Epidote
Epidote is a captivating mineral highly prized by collectors for its striking green coloration, ranging from deep forest greens to lighter shades, often with a hint of translucency that enhances its appeal. Its crystal structure typically forms elongated prisms or blades, sometimes in complex arrangements of emanating sprays. The two most prolific collecting areas for the best quality epidote have been Pakistan and Peru, however the new Turkish discovery has taken the market by storm.
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This deposit from Semdinli, Turkey, that was relatively recently discovered and made available to collectors, is now the most prolific offering in the world. We have been importing this directly since the beginning of the find and have an incredible selection and price range of this marvelous discovery. Check out our online shop to see the selection!
Garnet
Garnet is a commonly collected mineral known for its broad color range and durability, making it suitable for use in jewelry. Although garnets are part of the isometric crystallization system, they form complicated multi-faced crystals in most cases, such as dodecahedral or trapezohedral. There are a number of varieties that are classified by atomic impurities and in turn, their different colors. Some common varieties include, but are not limited to:
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Almandine – Deep red to reddish-brown; common in metamorphic rocks.
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Spessartine – Orange to reddish-orange; sometimes vividly transparent.
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Grossular – Green, yellow, or colorless; includes well-known subtypes like hessonite and tsavorite.
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Andradite – Can be black (melanite), green (demantoid), or yellowish-brown (topazolite).
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Uvarovite – Bright emerald green, typically forming drusy coatings of tiny crystals.
Garnets are produced for collectors in a multitude of localities, including most prominently USA, Pakistan, and China. Check out the variety of different garnets that we have in our shop!
Hematite
Hematite is an iron based mineral renowned for its metallic luster and striking red and black colors. It is most commonly available for collectors when accompanying other minerals, namely quartz. It can be on top of or inside of quartz, and also side-by-side with many other minerals. When by itself, it can form striking black rosettes of metallic tabular crystals. Specimens are abundant from around the world, with Morocco and China producing the most available, with India, USA, and others also producing.
Malachite
Malachite is a highly sought-after mineral among collectors due to its striking green hues and unique banded patterns. This copper based mineral typically forms through the weathering and oxidation of copper ores, resulting in botryoidal, fibrous, or stalactitic structures that showcase its rich, vibrant colors and concentric rings. Aesthetically, malachite is prized for its lush, silky luster and intricate designs, making it a popular choice for ornamental use and jewelry. Significant occurrences of malachite are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China's Guangdong Province, and the Southwestern United States, where it often coexists with other copper minerals such as azurite, enhancing its desirability and value to mineral collectors.
Pentagonite
Pentagonite is an electric blue zeolite that comes almost exclusively from the Quarries of Wagholi in Pune, India. It is a dimorph of cavansite, meaning the chemical composition of the two minerals is exactly the same. Where they differ, as with all dimorphs, is how it crystallizes. Pentagonite is typically much more acicular than cavansite, appearing spiky as opposed to bushy. It also can form a 5 sided shape when twinned, which is where the name comes from. High-quality and large specimens are quite rare and sought after by serious collectors.
Pyrite
Pyrite, often referred to as "fool's gold" due to its striking resemblance to real gold, is a popular mineral among collectors. It commonly forms in cubic crystals, though it can also manifest in octahedral and pyritohedral forms. Well-formed cubic pyrite crystals are particularly prized by collectors for their geometric perfection. It has a metallic luster and a pale brass-yellow hue, which can sometimes exhibit a slightly greenish tint. Its reflective, shiny surface makes it visually appealing and easily distinguishable. Overall, pyrite's aesthetic appeal, variety of forms, and widespread availability make it a fascinating and rewarding mineral for collectors of all levels.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline, which is technically a variety of elbaite, is one of the most treasured and commonly collected crystals in the world. In fact, many collections are solely dedicated to tourmalines, and many mineral dealers only sell tourmaline. This is certainly due to its incredible spectrum of colors and color combinations, as well as its durability for use in cutting and adornment. The Brazilian production is generally considered to have the best quality and diversity, while Afghanistan comes in second. Incredible examples of the jet black variety hail from Erongo.
Vanadinite
Vanadinite is a special mineral known for its striking cascade of red colors, hexagonal crystals, and varieties of presentations. It can present colors from electric blood to orange and brown, and the crystals can be tabular, elongated, partially melted, stepped, hoppered, clustered, isolated, and more. This variety of composition makes it quite collectable and a pleasure to behold. The dominant locality is Mibladen mining district, Morocco, with almost the entirety of collectible specimens coming from this area. There have been some rumors of the deposit coming to and end, but the inventory of the Moroccan dealers seems to indicate otherwise, for now. Vanadinite can also be found with commonly associated minerals, particularly barite. When the barite occurs pure white and vanadinite is bright red with isolated growths, the contrast and appearance is absolutely incredible! Vanadanite is a very soft mineral, so it must be treated with care. You can easily damage or destroy your specimen with just your fingers, so dropping it certainly isn’t a good idea! We work hard to find some of the best vanadinite crystals in the world, check out our shop to discover them!