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Kämmererite is a beautiful but extremely rare rock material — only ever discovered in a few places in the world. This red to violet stone is difficult to facet, so cut gems are very rare and therefore valuable. Due to their rarity and softness, these stones are mostly reserved for hobbyists and rarely used with jewelry.

Willemite is a stunning example of nature going over and above the call of beauty! It is one of the most well-known fluorescent minerals used in the production of some of the first versions of tubes for televisions. Without willemite, we may not be watching television today!

The remarkable blue appearance of afghanite is a very recent discovery, dating back to just 1968. It is incredibly rare! Since its initial discovery, it has only been found in Afghanistan and a few minuscule bands elsewhere. It is an incredibly complex crystal comprised of eleven different elements.

Fluorapatite is the most common member of the Apatite group. Aside from mines around the world, this mineral also occurs in human teeth that are exposed to fluoride (e.g. through toothpaste). Though colorless when pure, crystals are often formed with minor impurities that give them a wide range of colors. Some particularly attractive or deeply-colored specimens may be sought after by collectors. On the industrial side of things, fluorapatite is sometimes mined as a source of phosphorus.

Found first and most predominantly during mining operations in Bisbee, Arizona, shattuckite is an unforgettable gem find! It is relatively uncommon to stumble upon and is usually nestled in with other minerals such as quartz. Smaller specimens make excellent gems for beading and jewelry.

Perlite is a powdery or pebble-like form of volcanic glass. This lightweight mineral has made its way into many industrial processes, from plaster formation to beer filtering. Gardeners, though, will be more familiar with it as a common soil additive. White perlite grains added to soil help it stay aerated and increase drainage.

Being a relatively rare mineral, hauerite is highly prized by collectors. This mineral is found in low-temperature environments such as solfataras, fumaroles, and marine and clay salt deposit rich in sulfur. The presence of this brownish-gray mineral is, in fact, used as an indicator of sulfur deposits in the area.

Eclogite is a dense metamorphic rock that is formed at tremendous pressures and depths. The rock often sports a striking mix of colors, with green and pink being the predominant hues (caused by the minerals garnet and omphacite, respectively). This coloration can make eclogite attractive for decorative uses. Because it forms at such great depths, it is of even greater use to geologists, who study it to learn about certain aspects of plate tectonics.