COLLECTION & MEDIA
A closer look at minerals
Explore crystal forms, host rocks and optical concepts. Each view includes its image provenance.
Compare mineral properties23 / 23
Aegirine
Length-striated prismatic crystals · Dark green to greenish black
3 study views
Agate· Quartz
Banded chalcedony nodule · Grey, white, brown, rust red and muted yellow
3 study views
Amethyst· Quartz
Prismatic quartz crystals with pyramidal terminations · Purple to violet
3 study views
Aquamarine· Beryl
Hexagonal beryl prisms · Pale blue to greenish blue
3 study views
Beryl
Hexagonal prism · Blue-green
Calcite
Rhombohedral · Colourless to honey
Clinohumite
Complex modified crystals · Yellow-orange to brown
3 study views
Corundum
Barrel-like crystal · Red
Diamond
Octahedral crystal · Colourless to pale yellow
3 study views
Emerald· Beryl
Hexagonal beryl prisms · Green to bluish green
3 study views
Fluorite
Cubic · Purple and green
3 study views
Forsterite
Thick subhedral crystals and granular aggregates · Olive to yellow-green
Garnet· Garnet group
Dodecahedral crystals · Deep wine red
3 study views
Tourmaline
Striated prismatic crystals · Green and pink colour zoning
3 study views
Lapis lazuli· Lazurite
Massive ornamental rock · Deep blue with white calcite and pyrite flecks
3 study views
Peridot· Forsterite
Rough transparent olivine fragments and grains · Yellowish green to grass green
3 study views
Precious opal· Opal
Massive seam with conchoidal surfaces · White with spectral play-of-colour
3 study views
Quartz
Prismatic with rhombohedral terminations · Colourless to smoky
Ruby· Corundum
Barrel-like corundum crystals · Red to purplish red
3 study views
Sapphire· Corundum
Barrel-like corundum crystals · Blue
3 study views
Spinel
Octahedral · Red to pink
4 study views
Topaz
Prismatic · Golden
3 study views
Tourmaline
Striated prism · Dark green to black