What iolite is, why it is called water sapphire, how its strong color change works, what the Viking sunstone legend does and does not prove, the meanings crystal lovers give it, care tips for a fairly durable gem, and how to tell it from tanzanite, glass and sapphire.
What tanzanite is, why it comes from one place on Earth, how heat turns brownish zoisite blue-violet, the meanings crystal lovers give it, how to care for a gem that scratches and chips, and practical ways to spot simulants and misleading labels.
What amber really is, how ancient tree resin becomes a gem, the differences between Baltic, Dominican and other amber, why copal is not the same, the meanings crystal lovers give amber, how to care for this soft, warm organic gem, the FDA warning on amber teething necklaces and practical ways to spot fakes.
What azurite is, how this soft copper carbonate forms and turns into malachite, where the best specimens come from, its long history as a blue pigment, the meanings crystal lovers give it, how to care for a fragile, water-sensitive stone, and how to tell real azurite from dyed howlite, glass and other fakes.
What shungite is, where it comes from in Russian Karelia, how elite, petrovsky and regular shungite differ, what science says about fullerenes, EMF and 5G protection and water filtering, what crystal traditions believe, how to care for a messy black stone, and simple tests to spot fake shungite.
What moldavite really is, how a meteorite impact in Germany about 15 million years ago created this green glass, where it is found, what crystal traditions say it means, how to care for it, and the detailed checks that separate real moldavite from the many glass fakes on the market.
What calcite is, why it splits into perfect rhombs and shows double images, the meanings given to orange, blue, green, honey, optical and mangano calcite, how to clean and store a soft stone that dissolves in acid, and how to spot dyed calcite and stones sold under the wrong name.
What apatite is, why its name means to deceive, how it relates to your teeth and bones, its colors including blue, neon blue-green and yellow, where it is mined, what it symbolizes, how to clean and store a stone rated 5 on the Mohs scale, and how to spot glass, dyed stones and look-alikes.
What chrysocolla is, how it forms with copper minerals like malachite and turquoise, where it comes from, what it symbolizes, why it is so soft, how gem silica differs, how to clean and store it safely, and how to spot dyed, reconstituted and look-alike stones.
What prehnite is, how it got its name, why it often contains black epidote needles, the meanings crystal traditions give it, its hardness and durability, how to clean and store it, and how to tell natural prehnite from dyed chalcedony, glass and other green look-alikes.