FUCK YEAH MINERALOGY

A blog dedicated to minerals of all sorts. We like to focus on the scientific aspects of minerals, as opposed to the spiritual. Feel free to submit your own specimens or ask us questions! Managed by Zoe and Lara, 2 geophysical science graduates of UChicago, united in suffering/loving a mineralogy class together.

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Do you have recommendations for a good place to buy lab-grown minerals?

I dont, sorry! The only places I know where to get minerals at all are local to me. If you find a site let me know!!

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

I’m currently taking an intro to geology class and now have a hyperfixation on everything geology related so I’m really glad I found your blog lol

oh awesome!!!!! i'm glad we can feed your hyperfixation hehe :)

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Proustite on calcite matrix Bou Azzer Mine, Amerzgane, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco Credit: Gminerals/e-rocks Photo by:  László Kupi

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Wendwilsonite; Bou Azer, Morocco

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Someday I really want to get this thing smoothed and polished, but for now, here is my mystery mini-boulder!

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/7418/CF79Wu.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/5550/BUDLeM.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/1910/MMeVnr.jpg

Very cool!!! I love the dark pattern on the top of the rock. Looks to me like a type of agate or something similarly quartz-y. I'm sure it'll look awesome polished up! Thanks for submitting :)

-Z

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

U got any info on Moldavite, I know that in times of yore it used to be the go to gem for royalty

Hi there! Moldavite is a really interesting gemstone, because it's not really a gemstone at all! A gemstone technically must have a crystalline structure, and Moldavite is actually glass (which does not have a crystalline structure) which classifies Moldavite as a mineraloid. It's actually naturally occurring glass that forms when a meteor impacts the earth in a sandy area, like a beach, or an area with soil heavy with sand. The sand aspect is important, because glass and sand are both SiO2 and glass is created when SiO2/sand is very quickly heated, then cooled. When Most moldavite now is found near the Czech Republic and eastern Germany. There is evidence that most of the Moldavite found now was caused by a large meteor impact many millions of years ago (approx 15 mya.). It's similar to Fulgurite in the way it is "made" naturally; Fulgurite occurs when lightning strikes sand.

While Moldavite has a beautiful green color to it, as well as interesting characteristics like trapped air bubbles and flow lines, it's more brittle than most gemstones (Mohs value of 5 to 5.5) and is only suitable for certain types of jewelry. Nowadays, the most expensive/sought-after specimens of Moldavite are not made into jewelry and instead displayed as-is.

Unfortunately, I can't find much about it being used in royalty for any empires, but it is highly sought-after generally because of its extraterrestrial origin and color. A very cool mineraloid overall!

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Just wondering where would I be able to purchase the dragon head

--

It appears the dragon head is made by Mo Orgone Art. The only link I can find to obtain the dragon heads is through this facebook group which she appears to run: https://www.facebook.com/groups/530635537142895/

While looking, I also found this etsy page that makes similar dragon heads decorated with crystals: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BellsWingandBell?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=905208317&section_id=30618591

Hope that helps~!

[bijoux-et-mineraux]

Fluorite - Okoruso Mine, Otjiwarongo District, Namibia      

[zagreus]

one tectonic plate approaching another

“so are you a top or a bottom?”

[zagreus]

two tops? you get a mountain. two bottoms? VALLEY BRO

[zagreus]

i don’t know anything about geology

[zagreus]

[asymbina]

Are you (Mg,Fe2+)2(Mg,Fe2+)5Si8O22(OH)2?

[zagreus]

I had to google that and i swear to fuck I will kill you

[khmoii]

alright this is fine

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Proustite on calcite matrix Bou Azzer Mine, Amerzgane, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco Credit: Gminerals/e-rocks Photo by:  László Kupi

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Hi! I was wondering if you know if labradorite is safe to smoke out of (in pipe form obviously)?

I own one and used to smoke out of it all the time and didn't notice any ill effects. I stopped smoking out of it about a year ago because everything I was reading said crystal pipes can be dangerous, but I'm not sure if that means all of them or only certain kinds of crystal.

I'd also greatly appreciate if you have any tips on differentiating true labradorite from fake (if fakes exist)?

Thank you!

As a fellow smoker-from-pipes, I’ve wondered this myself! My understand is that they’re generally not safe to smoke from if it’s a silica-bases crystal like Quartz or Opal. Labradorite specifically though, I’m not sure. My instinct is to stay away from pipes purely made of minerals, and stead opt for a glass pipe that’s decorated with them on the outside.

That being said, I can’t find a ton of literature about the crystals sublimating or anything, just a few saying that the mineral can slowly deteriorate over time, leaving a dust that would then be inhaled while smoking, which I know for sure is not good for your lungs.

As for fake vs true labradorite, I don’t believe Labradorite can be made in a lab. The closest thing to a “fake” labradorite would be an opal being mislabeled as labradorite, which I have seen before. The main difference is the iridescence: labradorite has a specific type of iridescence called labradorescence that’s due to the blending of colors, while opal’s iridescence is due to the separation of colors (similar to a prism).

Hope that was helpful! :)

-Mod Z

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Bro, 2 things:

1. Your blog is totally awesome and I am so happy I found someone who loves minerals and rocks as much as I do (ROCK SQUAD!!)

2. Your profile picture embodies how I feel every time when I stumble on a creek or river bed

YOU'RE SUPER COOL!! THANK YOU!

Thank you so much!!!!!! IIRC the guy in the picture is a pretty famous geologist, but I just love how happy he looks in that quartz cave. TBH, I’d be just as excited if I was there too.

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Have you ever found or heard of a diamond encased in opal?

Naturally, I don’t believe that’s possible. Diamond forms under extreme conditions of very high heat and pressure, while opal forms from silicone-rich water making its way thru cracks in stone and earth. It would be very cool though, if possible! And jewelry with both opal and diamond in it is very beautiful, in my opinion.

[fuckyeahmineralogy]

Do you guys know what this is got I from a friend Translucent and transparent can't see though it not magnetic tiny bubbles come off of it when I dropped it in Acidtone also glows like a hot pinkish color under a black light

This is really interesting! My first instinct is that it was glass formed when lightning strikes sand, also known as Fulgurite. Fulgurite tends to be more tubular tho, and I certainly haven’t seen Fulgurite in this bright pink before. Between the vivid pink color, translucency, lack of distinct crystals and the blackened parts, my best guess (without knowing the weight, reaction to other chemicals, etc) is that this is some kind of melted glass or even heavy plastic that maybe got some stone in it, judging by the second to last piece. But I’m stumped for sure! Regardless, it looks very cool! - Mod Z

[389]

Silky malachite plate with stalactites and botryoidal formations from Congo

[dimetrodone]

Reminds me of this Max Ernest painting

[vugnasmineralblog]

Quartz with Hematite inclusions Itremo massif, Itremo Commune, Ambatofinandrahana District, Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar

[thegenderal]

Heres your semiregular reminder that opal is one of the worst possible gemstones for engagement rings and tumblr posts about how pretty opals are and how diamonds are bullshit and we should all wear opal rings are not actually well informed or your friends

[thegenderal]

@sirfoggybrain Of course!

So opals, as we all know, are gorgeous stones

I will at no point deny that, theyre stunning and look different from every angle and in every lighting, the plays of color are insane, and they can be used to make beautiful jewelry, including, unfortunately, engagement rings. Which then have the tedency to do what opals do best, which is break and chip

The problem with opals is their position on the mohs hardness scale: they are a 5.5 to a 6.5. This in on par with glass. You can break one of these with glass or a knife or any piece of metal. The woman on the left broke hers by accidentally knocking it against her desk. Engagement rings are meant to be worn every day, and they are worn on your hands, which are high contact body parts. Opals cannot properly hold up to everyday use, and will become damaged unless you are lucky. It is, in my opinion, best not to risk it- this is a special ring, your forever ring, an object that meant to be worn daily and symbolizes your love and is, if worst comes to worst, something to hawk if you are desperate for cash to continue to live. You do not want it to break. Moonstone- which is another one i see recommended a lot- is the same way. Engagement rings are special. I would not ever in good conscience be able to recommend something that fragile to be someones forever ring.

Diamonds are not recommended just because of the diamond industry (which is bad, i agree! Please make sure your diamond is ethical if you chose to get one, and my personal opinion is that lab made is better) but because they are the most durable stone out there. You cant break your diamond.

Theres nothing wrong with wanting a colorful, flashy engagement ring, but an opal is not the stone for you. You want a gemstone that is an 8+ on the hardness scale- so stones like emeralds (if youre careful with it!), rubies, sapphires (which come in all sorts of colors), moissanite (typically white, but with twice the fire and brilliance of a diamond), morganite, colored diamonds, and alexandrite are all good choices. Alexandrite even changes colors depending on lighting!

TL;DR: opals are too soft and fragile for an engagement ring. Get opal necklace instead, and pick a tougher stone for your engagement ring.

[sew-birb]

Topaz is also 8 on the Mohs scale, and Aquamarine is the same stone as Emerald but in a different colour. Both are also worth considering!