Illustration of quartz, amethyst and green malachite crystals

Minerals

Discover Nature's Crystals

Minerals are naturally occurring solids with an ordered atomic structure. Their chemistry creates spectacular colours, crystal shapes and useful physical properties.

See the collection
Educational illustration

Three ways to read this collection

Crystal system

The repeating structure that shapes a crystal.

Mohs hardness

A 1–10 scale showing resistance to scratching.

Formula

The elements that build each mineral.

Sample collection

Minerals to discover

Photography panels are ready for Stefan's real specimens.

Quartz reference specimenMineral

One of Earth's most common minerals and a master of crystal shapes.

Hardness 7Brazil
Amethyst reference specimenMineral

Quartz coloured violet by iron and natural irradiation.

Hardness 7Brazil
Malachite reference specimenMineral

A vivid green copper mineral famous for rings and flowing bands.

Hardness 3.5–4DR Congo
Pyrite reference specimenMineral

A brassy metallic mineral that often forms near-perfect cubes.

Hardness 6–6.5Canada
Fluorite reference specimenMineral

A colourful mineral whose crystals can glow under ultraviolet light.

Hardness 4Morocco