Geochemistry & Petrochemistry
Here's a collection of articles, notes, and resources for the fields of geochemistry and petrochemistry.
Crystal Photo Gallery
This is a collection of photographs of crystals. Some are crystals you can grow yourself. Others are representative pictures of crystals of elements and minerals.
This is a collection of photographs of crystals. Some are crystals you can grow yourself. Others are representative pictures of crystals of elements and minerals.
Carbon Cycle
Carbon is an element that is essential for life. The carbon cycle describes the storage and exchange of carbon between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Carbon is an element that is essential for life. The carbon cycle describes the storage and exchange of carbon between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Elements in the Sun
You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?
You probably know the sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium. Can you name the other elements found in our closest star?
Gemstone List
This alphabetical list of gemstones includes the mineral names of the gemstones as well as links to photos of the gems.
This alphabetical list of gemstones includes the mineral names of the gemstones as well as links to photos of the gems.
Nitrogen Cycle
Learn about the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle, the biochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen as it goes through nature.
Learn about the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle, the biochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen as it goes through nature.
Rock & Mineral Chemistry Quiz
Do you know about the chemistry of rocks and minerals? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
Do you know about the chemistry of rocks and minerals? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
Mohs Scale of Hardness
The Mohs Scale of Hardness measures how well a substance resists scratching by another material. You can use this scale to test the hardness of rocks, minerals, and crystals, to help identify them.
The Mohs Scale of Hardness measures how well a substance resists scratching by another material. You can use this scale to test the hardness of rocks, minerals, and crystals, to help identify them.
Perform the Mohs Test
The Mohs test is one way to determine the hardness of a rock or mineral. You can use the Mohs hardness to help identify an unknown specimen. Here's how you can do the test yourself.
The Mohs test is one way to determine the hardness of a rock or mineral. You can use the Mohs hardness to help identify an unknown specimen. Here's how you can do the test yourself.
Rock Tumbler Instructions
Here are instructions for tumbling rocks using a rotary drum tumbler and a vibratory tumbler, as well as instructions for polishing jewelry in a rock tumbler. Helpful tips are included for improving the polish and troubleshooting problems.
Here are instructions for tumbling rocks using a rotary drum tumbler and a vibratory tumbler, as well as instructions for polishing jewelry in a rock tumbler. Helpful tips are included for improving the polish and troubleshooting problems.
Plant and Soil Chemistry - Science Fair Project Ideas
Here are some science fair project ideas that involve plants and soil chemistry. Are you looking for an environmental science project? Check here!
Here are some science fair project ideas that involve plants and soil chemistry. Are you looking for an environmental science project? Check here!
Gemstone Photo Gallery
See photos of rough and cut gemstones and learn about the chemistry of the minerals.
See photos of rough and cut gemstones and learn about the chemistry of the minerals.
Lightning and Plasma Photo Gallery
This is a photo gallery of lightning and plasma pictures.
This is a photo gallery of lightning and plasma pictures.
Cloud in a Bottle Demonstration
Here's a quick and easy science project you can do: make a cloud inside a bottle. This simple project uses water vapor and smoke from a match to help form a cloud.
Here's a quick and easy science project you can do: make a cloud inside a bottle. This simple project uses water vapor and smoke from a match to help form a cloud.
Green Sand Beach
Hawaii's Green Sand Beach is an unforgettable destination. Learn why the sand is green and how to get to the beach.
Hawaii's Green Sand Beach is an unforgettable destination. Learn why the sand is green and how to get to the beach.
Black Sand Beach
Hawaii boasts many black sand beaches. Learn more about why the sand is black.
Hawaii boasts many black sand beaches. Learn more about why the sand is black.
Hawaii Chemistry
Take a look at the Big Island of Hawaii from a chemistry perspective.
Take a look at the Big Island of Hawaii from a chemistry perspective.
Hiddenite Gemes - Emerald Hollow Mine
The Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, NC is the only emerald mine in the United States open to the public for prospecting. I went to North Carolina to check the mine out for myself. Can you find emeralds? Yes! And rubies, sapphires, amethyst, citrine, the rare gemstone hiddenite, and much more.
The Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, NC is the only emerald mine in the United States open to the public for prospecting. I went to North Carolina to check the mine out for myself. Can you find emeralds? Yes! And rubies, sapphires, amethyst, citrine, the rare gemstone hiddenite, and much more.
Metal Quiz
Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.
Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.
Before You Buy a Rock Tumbler
Learn about the two main types of rock tumblers and get some selection tips and helpful advice to prepare for your first tumble. Links to related resources and support sites are also included.
Learn about the two main types of rock tumblers and get some selection tips and helpful advice to prepare for your first tumble. Links to related resources and support sites are also included.
Chemistry of Diamond
Part I: Carbon Chemistry and Diamond Crystal Structure, emphasizes diamond formation and crystal structure. Part II: Properties and Types of Diamonds, dicusses diamond characteristics, classification system, and methods of synthesis. There are also links to learn about carbon allotropes, diamond mining, diamonds as gemstones, and geology.
Part I: Carbon Chemistry and Diamond Crystal Structure, emphasizes diamond formation and crystal structure. Part II: Properties and Types of Diamonds, dicusses diamond characteristics, classification system, and methods of synthesis. There are also links to learn about carbon allotropes, diamond mining, diamonds as gemstones, and geology.
Crystal Types - Shapes & Structures
Let's take a look at the two main ways to categorize crystal types. I've described the major crystal structures (e.g., triclinic, hexagonal) and how crystals are classified by their properties (e.g., ionic, covalent) and provided links so that you can see examples of crystal types and learn more about crystallography.
Let's take a look at the two main ways to categorize crystal types. I've described the major crystal structures (e.g., triclinic, hexagonal) and how crystals are classified by their properties (e.g., ionic, covalent) and provided links so that you can see examples of crystal types and learn more about crystallography.
Product Summary - Lortone Model 33B Rotary Rock Tumbler
This twin-barrel rock tumbler from Lortone features rubber 3 lb. capacity barrels, a fan-cooled continuous duty motor, and durable metal housing. This summary itemizes the tumbler's features and includes a product evaluation.
This twin-barrel rock tumbler from Lortone features rubber 3 lb. capacity barrels, a fan-cooled continuous duty motor, and durable metal housing. This summary itemizes the tumbler's features and includes a product evaluation.
Product Summary - Smithsonian Crystal Kit
This kit includes everything except the boiling water needed to grow eight colors of large crystals, geodes, clusters, and more! Find out what is included in the Smithsonian Crystal Growing set and how it works in actual use.
This kit includes everything except the boiling water needed to grow eight colors of large crystals, geodes, clusters, and more! Find out what is included in the Smithsonian Crystal Growing set and how it works in actual use.
Rock Tumbler Basics
Are you considering getting a rock tumbler? Before you make a purchase, learn about the different types of rock tumblers and get tips on choosing the best tumbler for your needs.
Are you considering getting a rock tumbler? Before you make a purchase, learn about the different types of rock tumblers and get tips on choosing the best tumbler for your needs.
What Is the Most Abundant Element?
The elemental composition of the universe and the earth's crust are very different! How different? Take a look...
The elemental composition of the universe and the earth's crust are very different! How different? Take a look...
What Is the Chemical Composition of Air?
Learn about chemical composition of the Earth's air. Percentages of the most common compounds are given, according to volume.
Learn about chemical composition of the Earth's air. Percentages of the most common compounds are given, according to volume.
Mohs Scale of Hardness
Here's the scale used to assess a stone's ability to resist abrasion. Both gemstones and some everyday items are included.
Here's the scale used to assess a stone's ability to resist abrasion. Both gemstones and some everyday items are included.
Specific Gravity Ranges for Minerals
Specific gravity expresses the relative density of a material relative to the density of water. Here's a table of specific gravity ranges for several minerals.
Specific gravity expresses the relative density of a material relative to the density of water. Here's a table of specific gravity ranges for several minerals.
About Geology
This is About's comprehensive guide to earth science, with articles, links, and resources.
This is About's comprehensive guide to earth science, with articles, links, and resources.
All About Jewels
This is an illustrated dictionary of jewelry, but it is a great reference for quick information about gemstones, metals, and minerals.
This is an illustrated dictionary of jewelry, but it is a great reference for quick information about gemstones, metals, and minerals.
GSJ Geochemistry Department
This is the homepage for the Geochemistry Department of the Geological Survey of Japan. The site is available in either English or Japanese.
This is the homepage for the Geochemistry Department of the Geological Survey of Japan. The site is available in either English or Japanese.
International Zeolite Association
The IZA website promotes and encourages the development of all aspects of zeolite science and technology. There are links to publications, commissions, announcements, conferences, and links.
The IZA website promotes and encourages the development of all aspects of zeolite science and technology. There are links to publications, commissions, announcements, conferences, and links.
Mineral Gallery
Chemistry, characteristics, and identification of minerals. From Amethyst Galleries.
Chemistry, characteristics, and identification of minerals. From Amethyst Galleries.
Mineral Spectroscopy Server
Visible, infrared, and Raman spectra of minerals. From George R. Rossman, California Institute of Technology.
Visible, infrared, and Raman spectra of minerals. From George R. Rossman, California Institute of Technology.
Petrography and Petrology
Lectures involving origination of and chemical processes within igneous and metamorphic rocks. From Greg Finn, Brock University.
Lectures involving origination of and chemical processes within igneous and metamorphic rocks. From Greg Finn, Brock University.
Snow Crystals
Introduction to every facet of snowflake formation. From Kenneth G. Libbrecht, California Institute of Technology.
Introduction to every facet of snowflake formation. From Kenneth G. Libbrecht, California Institute of Technology.
SOFIA - Geochemistry of Wetland Sediments from South Florida
Projects may be located by title, investigator, region, or topic. Proposals, data, abstracts, publications, and other information is also available.
Projects may be located by title, investigator, region, or topic. Proposals, data, abstracts, publications, and other information is also available.
USGS Minerals Information
Keyword search finds data on domestic and foreign mineral production and consumption. From the US Geological Survey.
Keyword search finds data on domestic and foreign mineral production and consumption. From the US Geological Survey.