Exploring The Earth

Strategies for managing water, dust, and electrical safety in a home lapidary studio.

From rock shows to online dealers, learn the best places to source high-quality rough stones for cutting.

Why does Tiger's Eye seem to 'move' in the light? A look into chatoyancy and fibrous minerals.

Everything you need to know about diamond core drills, water cooling, and preventing breakages when drilling stone.

Where to look, what to identify, and how to start finding beautiful agates on gravel shores.

Discover the precision, angles, and geometry required to cut brilliant faceted gemstones.

Cerium, Tin, or Diamond? Learn which polishing compound is right for your lapidary project.

Exploring the closely related geology of two of the world's most popular quartz varieties.

A guide to common gemstone treatments, from heat enhancement to fracture filling.

How ordinary-looking round rocks develop hollow interiors lined with sparkling crystal points.

Protect your lungs, eyes, and hands. A mandatory guide to safety gear in the lapidary studio.

Dive into the vibrant, banded world of Malachite, its copper origins, and how to safely cut it.

Analyzing the pros and cons of Dremel tools versus Foredom flex shafts for delicate lapidary carving.

A buyer's guide to choosing the right cabbing machine for your workspace and budget.

Everything you need to know about Tanzanite, the beautiful blue-violet gemstone found in only one place on Earth.

Explore the fascinating geology, history, and alleged curse of the world's most famous blue diamond.

Enhance your lapidary art by learning the basics of wire wrapping to turn your cabochons into wearable jewelry.

How did the ancients carve hard stones with such precision? Explore the incredible techniques of Egyptian, Greek, and Mayan stone-workers.

Turn off the lights and watch the magic happen. Discover the science behind mineral fluorescence and learn which stones hide a secret neon identity.

Some gems are born of ice, but others are forged in fire. Explore the volcanic origins of Peridot and the glassy mystery of Obsidian.

Get closer to your gems. Learn how to use a jeweler's loupe and a microscope to discover amazing 'worlds within worlds' trapped inside natural crystals.

Is it real or is it lab-grown? Explore the main methods of gemstone synthesis and learn how to spot the difference between nature's work and human science.

Master the math and the machinery. Learn how faceting transforms translucent rough into sparkling gems through the science of light and angles.

Learn the art of gemstone 'jigsaw puzzles.' Discover how to fit different stones together with invisible seams to create stunning mosaic masterpieces.

Explore the fiery heart of the ruby. From the 'Pigeon Blood' red of Myanmar to the ancient legends of invincibility, learn why rubies are the most valuable corundum.

Think sapphires are only blue? Discover the world of Padparadscha, Peach, and Teal sapphires. Learn about the chemical magic that creates every color of the rainbow.

Explore the mesmerizing green world of emeralds. From the mines of Colombia to the history of Cleopatra, learn what makes emeralds the most coveted variety of beryl.

A deep dive into how heat and pressure transform ordinary rocks into stunning metamorphic creations.

Learn the best practices for cleaning, storing, and maintaining your loose gemstones and lapidary creations.

Learn the fundamentals of cutting and shaping your very first cabochon. From selecting the right rough stone to final polishing, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to start.

Opals are the most colorful and fragile gemstones on Earth. Discover the difference between Black Opals, Boulder Opals, and Crystal Opals, and learn how to care for them properly.

The gemstone market is flooded with convincing imitations. Protect yourself by learning the visual, physical, and scientific tells of fake crystals, glass, and dyed stones.

Beyond earth-born minerals lie extraterrestrial gemstones. Explore the fiery cosmic origins of Pallasites, Moldavite, and Libyan Desert Glass, and learn how to collect space rocks.

You don't need a heavy tumbler or an expensive cabbing machine to polish rocks! Learn how to extract a high-gloss finish using inexpensive hand-polishing techniques.

Understand the distinction between precious and semi-precious gemstones — where the classification came from, why modern gemologists consider it misleading, and how gemstone value is actually determined.

Learn how to start a rock collection from scratch — where to find specimens, how to identify and catalog them, display ideas, essential tools, and tips for building a collection you will treasure for years.

Everything you need to know about lapidary tools — from rock tumblers and trim saws to grinding wheels, polishing equipment, and faceting machines. Learn what to buy first, what to look for, and how to set up your workshop.

Explore the world of agates — from banded and moss agate to fire agate and Lake Superior agate. Learn to identify different varieties, understand how agates form, and discover tips for building your collection.

Compare natural diamonds, moissanite, and lab-grown diamonds side by side. Understand the differences in brilliance, hardness, price, ethics, and durability to make an informed choice for your jewelry.

Learn the differences between cabochon and faceted gemstone cuts — when each is used, which stones suit which style, the cutting process, and how to choose the right cut for your gem material.

Understand the fascinating science of crystal formation — from magmatic crystallization deep in the Earth to hydrothermal veins and evaporite deposits. Learn why crystals grow in specific shapes and what conditions produce the finest specimens.

Discover the birthstone for every month of the year. Learn the history, geological properties, symbolism, and care tips for each birthstone — from January's garnet to December's tanzanite.

Explore the incredible world of quartz varieties — from amethyst and citrine to chalcedony, agate, and jasper. Learn about the properties, formation, and significance of every major quartz type.

Discover the best rocks for rock tumbling, from agates and jaspers to tiger's eye and obsidian. Learn which stones produce the best results, how to choose material, and tips for achieving a brilliant polish every time.

Learn everything about the Mohs Hardness Scale — how it works, the ten reference minerals, practical applications in gemology and lapidary, and how to perform hardness tests on your own specimens.

Learn how to identify gemstones at home using simple tools and techniques. From scratch tests and streak tests to examining luster, color, and crystal structure — discover practical methods to determine what stones you have.

Explore how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks form, discover the rock cycle that transforms one type into another, and learn how plate tectonics and deep-Earth processes create the gemstones and minerals we treasure.

From the legendary Blue Diamond to the elusive Taaffeite, explore the ten most valuable gemstones on Earth and discover the geological rarity, optical phenomena, and market forces that make each one extraordinary.

Discover the ancient art of lapidary — learn what it is, the essential tools you need, fundamental techniques like cutting, grinding, and polishing, and how to turn rough stones into stunning polished gems.