Minerals form the basis of all rocks. Most rocks consist of various combinations of minerals that can be seen with naked eyes; others require microscope or magnifying glasses to reveal glittery flakes and crystals that sparkle underneath their surfaces.
Minerals must have well-defined chemical composition and an unchanging crystal structure, while any chemical compounds with different structures and composition are considered separate mineral species.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is an attractive semi-precious gemstone belonging to the complex boron silicate mineral family, featuring distinctive prismatic structures with slightly rounded cross sections that makes it instantly recognisable.
Tourmaline’s unique properties include piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity (the ability to generate electricity when heated or rubbed), which have allowed it to find multiple applications; especially its energy healing benefits are highly valued.
Corundum
Corundum is a hard natural substance composed of aluminium oxide mixed with trace amounts of iron and titanium, second only to diamond in terms of hardness. Corundum occurs naturally as two gemstone varieties: ruby and sapphire.
Lithotherapists believe that blue corundum helps prevent eye diseases and regulate eye pressure; purple corundum reduces mental illness, improves digestion and encourages rejuvenation; while sapphires may relieve stress, calm nerves and reduce emotional turmoil.
Fluorite
Fluorite is widely used as a flux for melting metals such as aluminum, lead and steel smelting operations, as well as being essential material in glassware production and enamelware manufacture.
Some traditions credit blue fluorite with healing properties that assist cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, while also supporting healthier relationships to food and weight management.
Barite
Barite is an affordable mineral often used as a weighting agent in oil and gas well drilling mud to control pressure and avoid well blowouts.
Metaphysically, Barite provides emotional balance and mental clarity. Use it to break energy blockages, increase intuition, and strengthen psychic capabilities. Recharge this stone by passing it through sage or Palo Santo smoke.
Sphalerite
Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral commonly found in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary exhalative deposits alongside galena, pyrite and fluorite. Additionally, this mineral can also be used to produce zinc, bronze and gemstones for production.
Metaphysically, Sphalerite resonates strongly with the root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras to bring clarity, balance, grounding energy and strengthen immunity. Furthermore, Sphalerite helps detoxification while strengthening immunity systems.
Hematite
Hematite is an attractive shiny rock that features silvery-gray or gray to black shades with dark red streaks, making for a beautiful display in cave-paintings and the production of sienna and ochre pigments. Hematite was discovered during prehistoric times and remains an abundant source of iron oxide pigment used for cave paintings as well as production of sienna and ochre colors.
Hematite is an excellent grounding stone, strengthening your connection to Earth while increasing focus and helping release toxic emotions. Additionally, Hematite fosters emotional resilience.
Halite
Halite is a ubiquitous mineral found both in salt ponds and rock shops, where it’s sold as pastel-colored decorative masses of crystals with excellent cubic cleavage properties and a distinctive salty flavor.
Halite can be used for numerous applications, from seasoning meat to melting winter roads. Without halite’s wide use in animal domestication and modern agriculture would not have been possible; metaphysically speaking it has also been said to help cleanse one’s aura and promote emotional balance and clarity.
Gypsum
Gypsum is a soft sedimentary mineral composed of calcium sulfate. It forms beautiful crystals as well as massive rocks used extensively in construction and agriculture.
Gypsum has many applications in agriculture. It helps break up compact soils and promote crop growth by decreasing exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Furthermore, gypsum also adds essential minerals such as calcium and sulphur without altering pH levels in the soil.
Mining gypsum presents only minimal health risks; however, proper PPE is needed for handling it safely.
Talc
Talc is an essential mineral used in papermaking to increase brightness, opacity, and whiteness. Additionally, talc serves as both a lubricant and polishing agent in ceramics production.
Cosmetically, talcum powder absorbs sweat while also increasing makeup adhesion and foundation coverage. Furthermore, its multilayered structure traps fragrance molecules for extended fragrance wear in products featuring fragranced scents.
Inhaling loose talcum powder can irritate the lungs, leading to pulmonary talcosis. According to studies, exposure to this powder is also associated with cancers such as mesothelioma.
Biotite
Biotite is widely employed for potassium-argon dating, helping geologists constrain rock age and establish geological timelines. As a mica mineral it occurs alongside quartz, feldspar and chlorite in many igneous rocks as well as metamorphic rock assemblages like schist and gneiss formations.
Jewelery that features this gemstone’s distinctive sheet-like crystal structure makes an eye-catching statement. The dark brown to black hues and shimmering layers add depth, making this gemstone suitable for many metal designs.
