Silicate Collection (page 3)

Benitoite C016 / 5625
Benitoite (barium titanium silicate). Benitoite was discovered in 1906 near the San Benito river in California which remains the only known locality for this mineral

Tourmaline C016 / 5622
Tourmaline. Specimen from Itambacury Theophilo Ottoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Natural History Museum, London, UK

Antigorite and bowenite specimens C016 / 5420
Antigorite and bowenite specimens. Group of two specimens of antigorite (top) and two specimens of bowenite (bottom). Bowenite is a variety of antigorite

Tourmaline schorl specimen C016 / 4993
Tourmaline schorl specimen. Tourmaline has a very complex and variable composition. The most common form is schorl or schorlite, shown here

Thomsonite mineral specimen C016 / 4930
Thomsonite mineral specimen. Thomsonite consists of hydrated sodium calcium aluminum silicate. It forms tight, fibrous crystals

Tigers eye and Hawks eye gemstones
Tigers eye and hawks eye gemstones. These gemstones are formed when the mineral crocidolite (blue asbestos) is replaced by quartz

Tanzanite crystal and gemstone C016 / 4863
Tanzanite crystal (lower left) and cut and polished gemstone (upper right). Tanzanite is a blue variety of the mineral zoisite

Tourmaline crystal specimen C016 / 4862
Tourmaline crystal specimen. Tourmaline has a very complex and variable composition. Clear and pure crystals of green and red tourmaline are highly prized gemstones

Amethyst geode interior C016 / 4851
Amethyst geode interior. Amethyst crystals lining an agate geode. Amethyst is a gemstone variety of quartz. This specimen is from Germany

Hydrothermal quartz vein C013 / 7214
Hydrothermal quartz vein with sulphide boxworks

Mesolite C013 / 6720
Mesolite crystals. Radiating crystals (white) of the mineral mesolite in their host rock. Mesolite (hydrated sodium calcium aluminium silicate)

Mesolite C013 / 6647
Mesolite crystals. Radiating crystals (white) of the mineral mesolite in their host rock. Mesolite (hydrated sodium calcium aluminium silicate)

Mesolite C013 / 6646
Mesolite crystals. Radiating crystals (white) of the mineral mesolite in their host rock. Mesolite (hydrated sodium calcium aluminium silicate)

Muscovite C013 / 6645
Muscovite, a variety of mica, is a silicate mineral of aluminium and potassium. It is found in metamorphic rocks, like gneiss

Nephrite jade specimen C013 / 6625
Nephrite jade. Specimen of nephrite (calcium magnesium iron silicate hydroxide) from New Zealand. Nephrite is a variety of the mineral actinolite

Pyroxene augite, polarised LM C013 / 4592
Pyroxene autige. Polarised light micrograph of a thin section of augite, an essential part of igneous rock, basalt and gabbro. Its also quite common in metamorphosed iron formations

Aquamarine
This Russian gem is about the size of a peach and weighs 898 carats

Agate geode

Agate Botswana

Morganite
This gemstone is 600 carats and one of the worlds largest Morganite specimens

Feldspar, collected by Dr Benza c.1837. NHM specimen number: BM 650

Tourmaline cut stones see 666
A group of tourmaline cut stones. Tourmaline is the name given to a group of eleven minerals which all have a general chemical formula

Emerald
Possibly from the collection of Rt Hon Charles Greville in 1810. Emerald is a variety of beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate). The green colour attributed to small amounts of chromium

Agate
Blue lace

Turritella agate

Agate thundereggs

Agate slice

Imperial Topaz
Found in 1852 in one of the oldest mines in the southeastern Ouro Preto region of Brazil

Moss agate specimen

Agate

Bloodstone or heliotrope carvings
These frogs were carved from bloodstone by Paul Dreher. Bloodstone is green agate containing speckles of red jasper. All these derive from the cryptocrystalline quartz group

Crystal balls are produced by grinding and polishing quartz (silicon dyoxide) cystal into spheres

Cordierite-biotite-gneiss
Geological specimen collected by Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition. It had a broad scientific programme and collected thousands of geological

Agate
Blue lace agate

Cursed amethyst
When the Mineralogy Department received this amethyst in 1943 they found a note inside the box: this stone is trebly accursed and is stained with the blood

Antigorite and bowenite
Group of two specimens of antigorite (above) and two specimens of antigorite var. bowenite below. Both these specimens comprise of (magnesium iron silicate hydroxide)

The Esquel pallasite

Plate 10, fig 1 from Mineralienbuch
An illustration of an axinite mineral specimen. Plate 10, fig 1 from Mineralienbuch by F. A. Schmidt, Stuttgart 1855

Plate 3, fig 4 from Mineralienbuch
A illustration of a slice of polished brown jasper. Jasper is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide). Plate 3, fig 4 from Mineralienbuch by F. A. Schmidt, Stuttgart 1855

Plate 10, fig 2 from Mineralienbuch
An illustration of an andalusite mineral deposit showing columnar crystals. Plate 10, fig 2 from Mineralienbuch by F. A. Schmidt, Stuttgart 1855

Agate
This polished agate specimen from Saxony is called Breccia Sanguigna. This brecciated agate comprises mainly of irregular sized fragments of cryptocrystalline quartz, set in a finer matrix

Agate
A polished slice of agate from Uraguay. Agate (silicon dioxide) is a cryptocrystalline quartz

Chrome diopside
Two variations of a diopside gemstone (calcium magnesium silicate). Left: Deep-green faceted cut stone; locality unknown. Right: Small translucent green detached crystal from Outokumpu, Finland

Plate 53 from Mineralogie
Mine de Plomb blanc en rayon et Colore du Hars tire du Cabinet de Mr. Aubert. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie? vol.6 (1790) by F.L. Swebach Desfontaines

Agate
A polished slice of agate or chalcedony from Uraguay. Agate (silicon dioxide) is a cryptocrystalline quartz

Plate 102 from Mineralogie
Superbe groupe de grands cristaux d Aigue marine de Siberie. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie Vol.3 (1790) by F. L. Swebach Desfontaines

Jadarite specimen
The mineral jadarite has the same chemical composition as kryptonite. Discovered in Serbia in 2006, jadarite is composed of sodium, lithium, boron silicate and hydroxide

Birthstone Series: Zircon
Zircon comes in a variety of colours, but most commonly brown or green. It is the birthstone for the month of December (along with Tanzinte and Turquoise). Photographed by Harry Taylor

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Silicate, the versatile mineral group that encompasses a vast array of fascinating substances. From the notorious Crysotile asbestos to the captivating Birthstone Series: Amethyst Quartz, silicates have left an indelible mark on our world. One member of this family is Kaolinite, a clay mineral known for its remarkable ability to absorb impurities and provide a smooth texture in ceramics. Its presence can be found in everything from delicate porcelain figurines to sturdy construction materials. Jasper, another type of silicate, showcases nature's artistic touch with its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. This gemstone has been cherished throughout history for its beauty and believed metaphysical properties. On the darker side lies Tremolite asbestos from France, infamous for its harmful effects on human health. Once widely used as insulation material due to its heat resistance properties, it now serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions when dealing with minerals. Garnet Peridotite brings together two distinct minerals - garnet and peridotite - resulting in a unique rock formation that captivates geologists worldwide. Its striking combination of deep reds and greens makes it highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike. Benitoite stands out among silicates with its mesmerizing blue hue reminiscent of sapphire. Found exclusively in California, this rare gem has become the state's official gemstone due to its stunning beauty. An Agate bowl adorned with shades of grey and white exemplifies how they can transform into functional art pieces. Crafted through meticulous cutting and polishing techniques, these bowls add elegance to any space they grace. Underneath powerful microscopes lie Acrosphaera radiolarian specimens captured using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These intricate structures showcase how even microscopic organisms contribute to Earth's rich geological tapestry. Beryl takes us into the realm of precious stones once again; emerald being one variety cherished for centuries.