It’ll be a snap to identify gemstones once Robert Downs finishes his library of spectral fingerprints for all the Earth’s minerals. Downs is almost halfway there. So far, the associate professor of ...

Discover how rocks, minerals & the rock cycle change your world. Join the Science Trek team to explore rocks and minerals! Discover how the Earth formed, the three types of rocks, the rock cycle, and ...

Minerals aren’t just in rocks—they’re in your house, your food, even your body! From aluminum cans to toothpaste, and calcium to iron, discover how minerals shape the world around us and why they’re ...

Vibrant rock sculptures, dazzling jewelry and sparkling crystals were among the many items offered during this year’s Baton Rouge Gem & Mineral Society’s Gem & Mineral Show. The event was Aug. 8-9 at ...

Scientifically speaking, the term "crystal" refers to any solid that has an ordered chemical structure. This means that its parts are arranged in a precisely ordered pattern, like bricks in a wall.

Rocks and minerals are all around us. Some are prized for their beauty, while others are so common that they are easily ignored. They come in a variety of colors and shades. Some catch the light, some ...