Silicate Collection (page 6)

Beryl crystals
Beautifully formed beryly variety crystals of aquamarine, heliodor, morganite and emerald. Beryl comprises of (beryllium aluminum silicate)

Fossil collecting near Aveley, Essex
Palaeontologists collecting the remains of a woolly mammoth and a straight-tusked elephant from a clay pit near Aveley, Essex in 1964

Emeralds
Emerald is a variety of beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate). The green colour is attributed to small amounts of chromium. Specimens from the Natural History Museum, London

Birthstone Series: Peridot
Peridot, a gemstone from the Natural History Museum, London. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August (along with Sardonyx). Photographed by Frank Greenaway

Birthstone Series: Blue Topaz

Birthstone Series: Topaz
Topaz has a chemical composition of aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide and is the birthstone for the month of November (along with Citrine). Photographed by Frank Greenaway

Quartz variety amethyst

Asbestos
Geometric asbestos crystals. Asbestos is a dangerous, fibrous amphibole mineral

Thomas Allan (1777-1833)
Portrait of Thomas Allan, an important figure in the history of mineralogy. This is the only known portrait of him. His collection of around 9

Plate 99, from Mineralogie
Various gemstone varieties including diamond, ruby, sapphire, spinel and Topaz. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie vol.3 (1790) by F.L. Swebach Desfontaines

Kor-i-noor replica
An exact copy of the original Kor-i-noor diamond created from cubic zirconia by John Nels Hatleberg (Cat 157). Photographed by Frank Greenaway

Birthstone Series: Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) and is the birthstone of the month of March. A gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London

Birthstone Series: Garnet
Garnet has a chemical composition of iron aluminium silicate. It is the birthstone of the month of January. Gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London

Axinite

Chalcedony variety of quartz
A specimen of the mineral chalcedony, a variety of quarz, from the Haytor mine, Ilsington, Devon

Enstatite comprises of (magnesium silicate) and derives from the pyroxene group. Specimen from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Verdite
Polished surface of a verdite specimen from Jamestown, Transvaal. Verdite is also known as Africas Green Gold. It is a silicate mineral and often used for decorative carving and sculpture

Natrolite
A specimen of the mineral natrolite (Hydrated sodium aluminum silicate), of the group zeolite, from Neubauerberg, Bohemia

Unakite

Zeolite
A zeloite specimen (apophyllite)

Sodalite specimen

Shergottite Sayh al Uhaymir 008, found in Oman in 1999. Shergottites are silicate rocks that are divided into four subgroups. This specimen is about 10cm long

Slice of the lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 482
A slice of lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 482. This meteorite is very rich in the feldspar mineral anorthite, which give it its pale colour

Slab of the Lueders meteorite
A slab of the IAB iron meteorite Lueders showing the size, shapes and distribution of silicate inclusions. The slab is about 10cm wide

Microscope image of the Brachina meteorite, the type specimen of the Brachinite meteorites. Brachinites are composed mostly of olivine with minor amounts of pyroxene and plagioclase

The Parnalle ordinary chondrite
The Parnallee ordinary chondrite, part of the Parnallee meteorite that fell in India in 1857

Porphyritic olivine and pyroxene chondrule
Microscopic image of a porphyritic olivine and pyroxene chondrule from the Palmyra (L3) ordinary chondrite (the chondrule is about 1.8mm across)

Lepidolite

Fuchsite specimen

Carnelian specimen

Citrine specimen

Chrysocolla, (hydrated copper silicate)

Chiastolite

Beryl specimen

Amazonite

Agate moss

Agate dyed

Agate
Dyed agate

Agate
Botswana agate

Diamond with garnet
Red garnet crystal in an octagonal, step-cut diamond. Diamond comprises of compacted carbon and is the hardest natural substance known on Earth

Peridot group
Fine cut peridot of 146 carats (centre) with crystals and rough mass (right) from Zebirget, and Hawaiian basalt containing olivine crystals (left)

Benitoite crystal and cut stone
Benitoite was discovered in 1906 near the San Benito river in California which remains the only known locality for this (barium titanium silicate) mineral

Spodumene crystal and cut stone
Large spodumene (Lithium Aluminum Silicate) crystal and cut gemstone from Brazil

Agate
A cut and polished section of brown banded agate from Brazil. Agate (silicon dioxide) is a cryptocrystalline quartz

Topaz crystals and faceted topaz showing a diverse colour range. Topaz comprises of (aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide)

Citrine and amethyst are both varieties of quartz (silicon dioxide)

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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.