Tectosilicate Collection

Birthstone Series: Amythest Quartz
An Amythest quartz specimen. Amythest is a form of quartz that is usually purple in colour, it is the birthstone for the month of March. Natural History Museum specimen number 84817

Jasper
A polished slab of jasper from Campsie Fells, Stirlingshire. Jasper is cryptocrystalline agate quartz (silicon dioxide)

Crucifix set with sapphires, zircon, spinel, cairngorm and amethyst. The whole cross is bordered by diamonds

Agate bowl, grey and white
Agate is a decorative variety of cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide). This bowl specimen is from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Polished slab of labradorite
Labradorite (calcium sodium aluminum silicate) can seem dull and grey until the light hits correctly, then an array of colours can be observed glowing on the surface

Plate 51 from Mineralogie
Or natif en dendriet sur du quartz de Mr. Forster. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie? vol.6 (1790) by F.L. Swebach Desfontaines

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz (silicon dioxide) and is a popular gemstone

Octahedral crystals in columns, quartz matrix
Groups of octahedral crystals forming columns in parallel position in quartz matrix. Presented by Percy Tarbutt in 1942 Date: 1942

Quartz-feldspar porphyry C016 / 6206
Quartz-feldspar porphyry. Geological specimen collected during Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913 (also known as the Terra Nova expedition)

Quartz-feldspar porphyry
Geological specimen collected by Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition. It had a broad scientific programme and collected thousands of geological

Pyrophyllite, green radiating in quartz from Berezovsk, Russia. Close-up of specimen on display in the Mineral Gallery at the Natural History Museum, London

Sapphire turban button
A rose-cut facetted deep-blue sapphire mounted in a button of quartz, inlaid with gold, rubies & emeralds. No 198 in the collection of Sir Hans Sloane

Cinnabar
Twinned dark red cinnabar crystals with small quartz crystals. Cinnabar comprises of (mercury sulphide). Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Fortification agate
A section of fortification agate from Scurdie Ness. Agate is cryptocrystalline quartz. This specimen is from the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London

Cursed amethyst C016 / 6143
Cursed amethyst. When this amethyst was received by the museum in 1943 a note inside the box read this stone is trebly accursed and is stained with the blood

Labradorite C016 / 5698
Labradorite. Close-up of the surface of a rich blue specimen of the mineral labradorite (calcium sodium aluminum silicate)

Gobbinsite C016 / 5647
Gobbinsite (hydrated sodium potassium calcium aluminium silicate). Specimen found near Black Cave, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Synthetic quartz C016 / 5649
Synthetic quartz. Crystal of synthetic quartz (silicone dioxide) held between two electrodes. Quartz vibrates at a steady rate in reaction to an electrical charge

Thomsonite mineral specimen C016 / 4930
Thomsonite mineral specimen. Thomsonite consists of hydrated sodium calcium aluminum silicate. It forms tight, fibrous crystals

Tigers eye and Hawks eye gemstones
Tigers eye and hawks eye gemstones. These gemstones are formed when the mineral crocidolite (blue asbestos) is replaced by quartz

Large citrine gemstone C016 / 4865
Large citrine gemstone. Light reflecting and refracting from a large cut citrine gemstone. Citrine is the yellow and orange variety of quartz (silicon dioxide)

Amethyst geode interior C016 / 4851
Amethyst geode interior. Amethyst crystals lining an agate geode. Amethyst is a gemstone variety of quartz. This specimen is from Germany

Mesolite C013 / 6720
Mesolite crystals. Radiating crystals (white) of the mineral mesolite in their host rock. Mesolite (hydrated sodium calcium aluminium silicate)

Mesolite C013 / 6647
Mesolite crystals. Radiating crystals (white) of the mineral mesolite in their host rock. Mesolite (hydrated sodium calcium aluminium silicate)

Mesolite C013 / 6646
Mesolite crystals. Radiating crystals (white) of the mineral mesolite in their host rock. Mesolite (hydrated sodium calcium aluminium silicate)

Feldspar, collected by Dr Benza c.1837. NHM specimen number: BM 650

Bloodstone or heliotrope carvings
These frogs were carved from bloodstone by Paul Dreher. Bloodstone is green agate containing speckles of red jasper. All these derive from the cryptocrystalline quartz group

Crystal balls are produced by grinding and polishing quartz (silicon dyoxide) cystal into spheres

Cursed amethyst
When the Mineralogy Department received this amethyst in 1943 they found a note inside the box: this stone is trebly accursed and is stained with the blood

Plate 3, fig 4 from Mineralienbuch
A illustration of a slice of polished brown jasper. Jasper is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide). Plate 3, fig 4 from Mineralienbuch by F. A. Schmidt, Stuttgart 1855

Agate
This polished agate specimen from Saxony is called Breccia Sanguigna. This brecciated agate comprises mainly of irregular sized fragments of cryptocrystalline quartz, set in a finer matrix

Agate
A polished slice of agate from Uraguay. Agate (silicon dioxide) is a cryptocrystalline quartz

Plate 53 from Mineralogie
Mine de Plomb blanc en rayon et Colore du Hars tire du Cabinet de Mr. Aubert. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie? vol.6 (1790) by F.L. Swebach Desfontaines

Agate
A polished slice of agate or chalcedony from Uraguay. Agate (silicon dioxide) is a cryptocrystalline quartz

Birthstone Series: Citrine
Citrine is a form of quartz that appears in different a variety of yellows and oranges, it is the birthstone for the month of November along with Topaz. Specimen number 21470

Gobbinsite comprises of (hydrated sodium potassium calcium aluminum silicate) and derives from the zeolite group. Specimen found nr. Black Cave, Island Magee, Co. Antrim

Orthoclase (potassium aluminum silicate) is a major granite forming mineral. Specimen from Brevik, Norway

Amethyst crystals

Lazurite comprises of (sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulphur sulphate). Due to its unique rich colour, it is a semi-precious stone and is often used in jewellery making

Cassiterite pseudomorphous after orthoclase
Brown granular cassiterite (tin oxide) have replaced twinned orthoclase crystals. Wheal Coates, St. Agnes, Cornwall

Carved carnelian bowl
Carnelian is a transluscent yellow to orange variety of chalcedony (micro-crystalline quartz). This bowl was once the property of Sir Hans Sloane

Mocha stone, sardonyx and agate
Mocha stone and sardonyx cameos resting on artificially dyed slabs of agate. All these varieties of chalcedony derive from the cryptocrystalline quartz group

Heulandite crystal group on matrix, from Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire. One of the group of Zeolites. Zeolites are microporous crystalline solids containing silicon, aluminium and oxygen

Chalcedony
Polished slab of chalcedony with radiating structure. Chalcedony or agate is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide)

Birthstone Series: Rose Quartz
A specimen of Rose Quartz from the Natural History Museum, London. Rose Quartz is the birthstone for the month of January (along with Garnet). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Aventurine
A rough piece of green aventurine quartz from India

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"Tectosilicate: Unveiling the Mysteries of Earth's Gemstone Treasures" Embark on a captivating journey through the mesmerizing world of tectosilicates, where nature's artistic prowess meets geological marvels. As part of the Birthstone Series, Amythest Quartz takes center stage, showcasing its regal purple hues and enchanting allure. Jasper, with its earthy tones and intricate patterns, adds a touch of rustic elegance to this mineral extravaganza. Nestled within an Agate bowl in shades of grey and white, these tectosilicates create a harmonious display that captivates both the eye and soul. A delicate Crucifix carved from polished slab of labradorite exudes ethereal beauty while symbolizing strength and faith. Octahedral crystals emerge majestically from quartz matrix columns, revealing their remarkable symmetry amidst Plate 51 from Mineralogie. Amethyst reigns supreme once again as it graces this collection with its vibrant presence. Its rich purple hue evokes feelings of tranquility and spiritual enlightenment. Quartz-feldspar porphyry C016/6206 emerges as a testament to nature's artistry - an exquisite blend of quartz and feldspar creating a tapestry-like pattern that enthralls all who gaze upon it. The sheer beauty continues with Quartz-feldspar porphyry unveiling its own unique charm. Pyrophyllite makes an appearance in this captivating ensemble; its delicate structure resembling layers upon layers of whispers frozen in time. In this celebration of tectosilicates' magnificence, we are reminded that Mother Earth holds boundless treasures waiting to be discovered. Let us delve into her depths to uncover more wonders yet unseen – for every stone tells a story worth exploring.