Ludlamite

Zinkenite is a unique and rather uncommon mineral recognizable by its metallic steel-grey needle-like structure. This mineral was discovered in 1826 and is named after the German mineralogist discoverer, Johann Ludwig Carl Zincken. Though zinkenite may look strong, it is actually relatively soft according to the Mohs scale, which is the measurement to determine the hardness of a mineral.

Colemanite is an important boron ore, and is usually colorless to white, brown or yellow. It is used in the production of heat resistant glass and is a source of borax, a cleaning agent and industrial chemical. Colemanite is fragile and gem cutters rarely work these stones. They are better suited for gemstone collectors.

Olmiite is a relatively new mineral that is approved by IMA in 2006. Before that, the specimens from the Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa are confused with its calcium dominant analogue poldervaartite. It shows a pale to moderate pink color, sometimes slightly brownish. Specimens showing ball-shaped or bowtie-shaped crystal clusters are highly welcomed by the collectors.

Hübnerite is a rare mineral that sometimes co-occurs with well-known gemstones such as tourmaline and topaz. Hübnerite’s color may range from dull yellow-brown to a deep and striking shade of brick red. The mineral is an ore of tungsten, an element with many commercial industrial uses (perhaps most famously, it is used to make light bulb filaments).

Caledonite is a blue-green mineral named after its place of discovery, Caledonia, now known as modern-day Scotland. This mineral is soft and brittle. Though relatively rare to come across, it can be found among oxidized copper and lead deposits. Caledonite is a favorite mineral among collectors due to its intense color.

Nautilus is a marine cephalopod known for its distinctive spiral-shaped shell, which is divided into multiple chambers. Nautiluses can adjust their buoyancy by regulating the gas content within their chambers, helping them control their depth within the ocean and avoid predators. Nautilus is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including areas such as the Philippines, Fiji, and Australia. Nautilus has a long evolutionary history, dating back over 500 million years, and is considered a living fossil.

Stolzite is very similar to wulfenite but has tungsten instead of molybdenum and is often a paler color. Stolzite can occur in hues of oranges, browns, and yellows. This rare mineral is a secondary mineral that forms around hydrothermal conditions, or where extremely hot water circulates, with good deposits of tungsten.

Eosphorite is usually found in shades of brown with some hints of pink. This mineral is translucent or transparent and is relatively brittle. Eosphorite is a secondary mineral, meaning that it is the result of the weathering of another mineral. In this case, eosphorite is found in phosphate-rich Pegmatite.