Many minerals form beautiful crystals, but the most prized of all are gemstones. Uncut gems often look fairly ordinary–like rocks. It's only when they are cut and polished that they obtain the ...

It's all to do with ... this remarkable rock has layers that tell the story of the working lives and hardships of miners in the 1800s. A flawless blue topaz gemstone - the largest of its kind - will ...

The Science Education Center houses thousands of rock and mineral samples in what is known as "The Rock & Mineral Room." The entire collection can be viewed by clicking on each of the virtual drawers ...

Ever wonder how Earth scientists examine rocks? We cut them up and throw them under a microscope ... and then everything ...

"These minerals are what's left behind when rock has been in flowing water for eons. Over time, the warm water leaches away all the elements except those that are really insoluble, leaving behind ...