Minerals play an integral part in our everyday lives, such as being used in ceramics, paper and rubber production processes. Rare minerals like ringwoodite and ice-VII6 offer scientists glimpses into Earth’s deep interior.
The International Mineralogical Association defines minerals as natural solid substances with well-defined chemical and crystal structure that meet specific criteria. Any material which doesn’t meet this standard cannot qualify as minerals.
Corundum
Corundum is widely used for manufacturing abrasives like emery and grinding wheels, and as gemstones such as rubies and sapphires. Additionally, its properties may help subdue emotional turmoil while increasing intuition.
Adamantine spar is a colorless variety, signifying purity and clarity. Chatoyant corundum features a star effect and has become renowned as a protective stone. Padparadscha Sapphire, with its unusual orange-pink hue due to iron and chromium inclusions, stands as yet another powerful protective gemstone variety.
Fluorite
Fluorite is an abundant mineral found worldwide. With its characteristic octahedra-shaped crystals and fluorescent hues, fluorite has become widely sought-after by gemstone traders as a precious gemstone material.
Fluorite has numerous industrial uses, including as a flux for metal melting and for the production of fluorine and hydrofluoric acid. Furthermore, lapidary and ornamental applications also benefit from using fluorite.
Holding Fluorite during meditation can help clear your mind, reduce anxiety and enhance focus while attenuating seasonal allergies.
Barite
Barite can help enhance and stimulate intuition while connecting with spiritual realm. Furthermore, its energy conserving properties make it an excellent stone for clearing and soothing.
Crystalline calcium carbonate aggregates typically take the form of tabular crystals or bladed, fibrous, platy and grainy aggregates with grainy surfaces or coxcomb-shaped aggregates that may also include twinned structures with hidden growths or inclusions.
Sphalerite
Sphalerite is widely recognized for its ability to cleanse an auric field of negative energies and restore equilibrium and wellness in an individual. Furthermore, Sphalerite may promote spiritual development and transformation.
Wellness services often use meditation as a means to alleviate stress and fatigue, increasing energy levels and stamina. Furthermore, some believe it enhances discerning abilities so we can better distinguish between true and false information.
The Star of Asturias, which is the world’s largest faceted piece of sphalerite, can be found at Lausanne, Switzerland’s Cantonal Museum of Geology.
Galena
Galena is the most prevalent lead mineral found in low temperature hydrothermal environments and often forms massive sulfide deposits with sphalerite and chalcopyrite.
Crysocolla can bring clarity and purity to your energy field, opening new pathways towards wisdom and enlightenment. Additionally, it serves to protect from negative energies while grounding you physically and spiritually. Rhodonite may enhance its effect by giving an orange or black glow.
Hematite
Hematite is an important iron ore mineral used for pigment production as well as refractory materials, radiation shielding and ship ballast applications.
Metaphysically, Hematite has long been used to bolster mental capabilities by increasing focus and concentration. Furthermore, its energy balancing properties help promote peace.
Hematite can be distinguished from other minerals by both its color and streak; when dragged along unglazed porcelain surfaces it leaves a reddish-brown trail behind it.
Halite
Halite is a white mineral formed in sedimentary rock where lakes and seas have dried up over geologic time, leaving behind beds of salt deposits such as those in Great Salt Lake and Dead Sea between Israel and Jordan, or ancient beds found worldwide.
Pink halite has long been used as an ingredient in food seasoning, melting snow and ice from winter roads, providing mental clarity and encouraging romantic feelings.
Gypsum
Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral used as fertilizer and the main component in construction plaster and drywall production, as well as improving soil structure and decreasing erosion.
Crushed limestone can even be added to murky water sources like ponds in order to settle dirt particles without negatively affecting aquatic life. Furthermore, it’s widely mined and considered an essential industrial resource.
Talc
Talc is an abundant mineral used in numerous industries. It can be added to powders to absorb moisture, prevent caking and improve consistency while adding sheen to some cosmetic products.
Thermally stable silicone rubber (THV) can withstand heat, acids and electricity, making it suitable for ceramics, paint, paper roofing materials plastic and rubber applications as well as lip balm and some types of talcum powder production. It is an ingredient found in some lipsticks as well.
Biotite
Biotite is a phyllosilicate mineral and member of the mica family. It can be found in many igneous rocks such as gabbros and diorites as well as metamorphic ones like schists and gneisses.
Spiritually, biotite has long been revered for its ability to activate the Crown Chakra and develop psychic powers. Additionally, biotite may assist with cleansing energy and clearing away karmic baggage; all while supporting mental growth and clarity.
