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Explore our comprehensive collection of guides covering species, localities, and mineral collecting knowledge. Learn from expert contributors and the community.
Fluorite
from Blackdene MineFluorite from Blackdene Mine, Weardale, England: purple crystals from a historic vein, often with galena and chalcopyrite, prized by collectors.Updated on May 22, 2026
Fluorite
from Cambokeels MineCambokeels Mine, between Eastgate and Westgate on the Slitt Vein, yields fluorspar; historic workings along the River Wear attract fluorite collectors.Updated on May 21, 2026
Mimetite
from Dry Gill MineDry Gill, Caldbeck Fells - a UK locality famed for Campylite and Mimetite crystals in green toffee-brown hues, prized by collectors for quality and history.Updated on May 21, 2026
Fluorite
from Brownley Hill MineBrownley Hill lead mine near Nenthead - historic zinc/lead producer; Fluorite is a rare find here, making the locality a collector favorite.Updated on May 20, 2026
The Korshunovskoe iron deposit
Korshunovskoe iron deposit — Siberian locality 430 km north of Irkutsk, producing iron ore; notable for historic mining and collector-grade ore.Updated on May 06, 2026
Dioptase
from TsumebDioptase: Tsumeb collector's guide - razor-sharp emerald-green crystals on calcite, prized trophies from a famed locality with specimens and rarity.Updated on May 02, 2026
Clinochlore
from Korshunovskoye iron depositSeraphinite - a green clinochlore variety prized for chatoyant featherlike optics, silvery shimmer, and cabochon lapidary use from Korshunovskoe deposit.Updated on Apr 30, 2026
Agate Coyamito
Coyamito Agate - reds, purples, and yellows, complex fortification banding; prized for depth and rarity, with difficult mining driving scarcity and value.Updated on Apr 24, 2026
Apophyllite
Apophyllite — glassy, fish-tail crystals; colorless to green. Great for display and provenance. Key sources: Deccan Traps (India), New Jersey; collecting value.Updated on Apr 04, 2026
Tourmaline
from the Tourmaline Queen MineTourmaline Queen Mine — renowned locality yielding vibrant tourmaline crystals, prized by collectors for color variety and historical collecting significance.Updated on Apr 04, 2026
Tourmaline
from Pederneira minePederneira tourmaline — spectacular multi-color clusters with bluecap and rocket pockets, famed color zoning on albite and lepidolite, prized by collectors.Updated on Apr 04, 2026
Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite: deep pink to rich red manganese carbonate with vitreous crystals, diverse crystal habits, and renowned localities prized by collectors.Updated on Apr 04, 2026
Dioptase
Dioptase: vivid emerald-green crystals with glassy luster, often on white calcite or quartz; highly collectible due to color, clarity, and brittleness.Updated on Apr 01, 2026
Fluorite
from Shangbao MineShangbao Mine fluorite, Hunan, China — prized locality for glassy, color-zoned crystals with internal phantoms; older specimens are classics for collectors.Updated on Mar 30, 2026
Devilline
from Spania DolinaDevilline: a rare calcium-copper sulfate with green-blue coatings and delicate rosettes; Špania Dolina locality prized for vivid blue-green microcrystals.Updated on Feb 25, 2026Mineral Species Categorization Guide
Mineral Species Categorization Guide — practical rarity thresholds, collector interest, and stability criteria to help classify species and guide decisions.Updated on Feb 10, 2026
Pyrite
from NavajúnPyrite – collector's guide: Navajún, Spain's renowned cubed crystals, prized for size, luster, and intergrowth; high value, rarity, and proper care.Updated on Jan 14, 2026
Calcite
Calcite — diverse shapes, colors, and optical quirks; widely available yet scarce elite pieces from Elmwood and Charcas drive collecting value and display.Updated on Jan 13, 2026
Tourmaline
Tourmaline: color range and crystal variety define a diverse group; top localities, value factors, quality assessment, and care tips for collectors.Updated on Jan 03, 2026
Tanzanite
Tanzanite: vivid blue-to-violet zoisite with strong pleochroism and crystals from Merelani, Tanzania; prized by collectors, rare matrix pieces.Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Fluorite
from BerbesBerbes fluorite locality — renowned for vibrant, well-formed fluorite crystals with iconic color varieties, offering high collecting value, exceptional quality…Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Amethyst
Amethyst - violet quartz prized for vivid color and crystal forms; affordable Brazilian geodes and razor-sharp Georgia crystals, with collecting localities.Added on Aug 07, 2025
Diopside
Diopside — classic clinopyroxene with prism crystals in chrome-green to violane violet, varied habits and marble localities prized by collectors.Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Azurite
Azurite - deep blue copper carbonate with prismatic and botryoidal forms; alters to malachite; Mohs 3.5–4; identify color, habit, and notable localities.Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Heliodor
Heliodor - golden to greenish-yellow beryl with sharp prisms and etched forms, prized for color, clarity, and striking matrix displays from Erongo and Ukraine.Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Legrandite
Legrandite - luminous lemon-yellow crystals with radiating sprays and glassy luster; rare, fragile, and prized from premier Mexican localities like Ojuela.Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Spodumene
Spodumene — kunzite, hiddenite, and triphane varieties; vivid colors and pleochroism, formed in granitic pegmatites, with gem and specimen appeal and fragility.Updated on Jan 01, 2026
Apache Agate
Apache Agate, striking red, orange, and yellow color splashes with draped veils on lime-green exteriors; prized nodules and rare banding attract collectors.Updated on Dec 21, 2025
Rhodochrosite
from N'Chwaning MinesRhodochrosite — N’Chwaning crystals stun with deep red color, superb clarity, and varied habits from scalenohedral to trigonal, in the Kalahari Field.Updated on Dec 04, 2025
Erythrite
Erythrite — vivid crimson-to-magenta acicular crystals, radiating sprays on calcite; prized for color, rarity, and historic Moroccan Bou Azzer finds.Updated on Dec 02, 2025
Arsenopyrite
Arsenopyrite - steel-gray, mirror-bright prismatic crystals; prized for sculptural form and heft, with top localities (Panasqueira, Dalnegorsk, Yaogangxian) in…Updated on Dec 02, 2025
Ettringite
Ettringite: lemon-yellow hexagonal prisms; a fragile hydrated sulfate with notable localities like Kalahari and Eifel, Crestmore, prized by collectors.Updated on Dec 02, 2025
Millerite
Millerite: gold, needle-like crystals forming delicate sprays; prized for lustrous acicular bundles, fragility, and top localities yielding fine specimens.Updated on Dec 02, 2025
Neptunite
Neptunite: jet-black, high-luster prisms with natrolite and benitoite; California State Gem Mine specimens exemplify striking contrast, rarity, and display.Updated on Dec 02, 2025