10 Minerals You Won't Believe are Found on Earth

10 Spectacular Minerals You Won't Believe are Found on Earth
10 Spectacular Minerals You Won't Believe are Found on Earth

Earth is home to a wide variety of minerals, some of which are truly spectacular. These minerals come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and they can be found all over the world. These minerals are not only beautiful, but they are also valuable and rare. They offer a glimpse into the amazing diversity of our planet and the beauty that can be found in nature.

Chrysocolla stalactites

Chrysocolla stalactites
Chalcedony on Chrysocolla Stalactites (Pocket)
From Inspiration Mine, Inspiration, Globe-Miami District, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
Credit: Joe Budd/Rob Lavinsky/iRocks.com

This stunning specimen is described as Chalcedony on Chrysocolla stalactites (pocket). With a blue-green chalcedony-crusted exterior, an unusual pocket that opens to reveal the highly textured interior, and assorted quartz-covered chrysocolla stalactites the color of icy glaciers, the mineral is truly a unique sight to behold.

Rainbow Fluorite

Spectacular Minerals  Rainbow Fluorite.
Credit: Orbital Joe on Flickr

Rainbow fluorite is a variety of fluorite that is characterized by its multiple colors. It is one of the most colorful minerals in the world, and can be found in a wide range of colors, including white, green, blue, purple, yellow, and orange.

Blue Lace Agate

Blue Lace Agate
Agate Amethyst Geode (Blue Lace Agate) From Brazil

Blue lace agate is a type of agate that is characterized by its delicate blue and white banding. It is a form of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline variety of quartz. Blue lace agate is found in a variety of locations around the world, but it is most commonly found in Namibia.

Rainbow Obsidian

Rainbow Obsidian
Incredible Rainbow obsidian
from Davis Creek, Northern California.

Rainbow obsidian is a type of obsidian that displays a rainbow-like sheen when held up to the light. This sheen is caused by the presence of tiny inclusions of magnetite, a mineral that contains iron.

 Amethyst "boot"

 
Spectacular Minerals  Amethyst "boot"
An 8 inch tall amethyst "boot" from Artigas, Uruguay.
Credit: Russ Behnke

Amethyst boot-shaped specimens are a type of amethyst geode that is formed in the shape of a boot. These specimens are relatively rare and are highly sought after by collectors.

Combination of Calcite, Quartz and Chalcopyrite

Combination of Calcite, Quartz and Chalcopyrite
Calcite blades with Chalcopyrite, Pyrite, and Quartz sprays at top
Boldut Mine, Cavnic, Maramures Co., Romania Collection.
Photo Kevin Ward and The Mineral Gallery, Inc.

A specimen combination of calcite, quartz, and chalcopyrite is a beautiful and unique geological formation. Calcite is a carbonate mineral, quartz is a silicate mineral, and chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide mineral. These three minerals often occur together in mineral veins and deposits.

Pink Labradorite

10 Spectacular Minerals You Won't Believe are Found on Earth
Unbelievable Labradorite from Newfoundland Canada
Credit: Nathan Almeyda

Pink labradorite is a rare and beautiful variety of labradorite that exhibits a soft pink to rose-colored hue.

Tri-color Calcite

Spectacular Minerals  Tri-color Calcite
Tricolor Calcite specimens from Durango, Mexico

Tri-color calcite is a banded calcite that is composed of three colors: orange, white, and green. It is a relatively rare variety of calcite, and is found in a few locations around the world, including Mexico, the United States, and Australia.

Opal Pineapple

Spectacular Minerals  Opal Pineapples
Opal pineapples
Photo: Grant Pearson

Opal pineapples are a rare type of opal that is found in only one place in the world: the White Cliffs opal field in New South Wales, Australia. They are formed when ikaite crystals, a type of calcium carbonate, are replaced by opal. Ikaite is an unstable mineral that only forms under very specific conditions, such as those found in the White Cliffs region.

Thunder-egg Agate

Thunder-egg Agate
 Thunder-egg Agate Looks like a galaxy (maybe it is)
From New Mexico.

Credit: Bill The Eggman

Thunder-egg agate is a type of agate that is found in volcanic rocks. Thunder-egg agate is often found in the form of round nodules. When these nodules are cut open, they reveal intricate patterns and colors. Thunder-egg agate is a popular gemstone used in jewelry making, as well as in carvings and other decorative objects. 
 

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