A detailed look at rocks and minerals, the essential building blocks of Earth’s crust. Rocks are naturally occurring solids ...

Some crystals, including zircons, have growth rings, like the rings of a tree, that form when layers of molecules accumulate as the mineral grows. These rings can tell scientists all kinds of ...

Most of the Earth's crust is crystals, except the molten parts. Mineral crystals form when elements or compounds in solution, either molten or dissolved in water, come out of solution and solidify.

Calcite is known to form in at least 17 different ways, making it one of the most diverse mineral species (along with pyrite). This other-worldly example appears to be a cave deposit capturing ...

Although minerals are classified based on their ideal “pure” composition and form, “we’ve got to recognize that nature has 80 some different elements to play with,” Rossman says.

For a copy of the research paper, contact Steve Tally at [email protected]. ABSTRACT Mineral Fabric as a Hidden Variable in Fracture Formation in Layered Media Liyang Jiang1, Hongkyu Yoon2, Antonio ...

It could be said that minerals are salt-of-the-earth, crystals are organized, and gemstones like to show off. Not very scientific, though, so let’s dive into the details. What is a mineral?

A team of researchers has discovered at least two new minerals that have never before been seen on Earth in a 15 tonne meteorite found in Somalia — the ninth largest meteorite ever found.