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Composition   The Mexican fire opal is somewhat distinct from the one usually used by jewelers. While a natural opal is white and clean, the Mexican fire opal is clear and translucent, showing a consistent crimson, orange, yellow, or brownish body color. Fire opals come with both a display of color and fire or without either. Iron deposits are responsible for the orange hue of Mexican fire opals.   History   Fire opals are notable for being located in the state of Querétaro in Mexico.  A fire opal that displays little color  is sometimes referred to as a 'jelly' opal. Mexican opals, as they...

Composition   Fluorite is the mineral form of calcium fluoride which is a type of halide mineral. Pure fluorite is translucent, both in visible and ultraviolet light, but impurities cause the fluorite to be colored and enables the stone to be broken into elegant fragments. Commercial applications of fluorite include usage as a flux for smelting and in the manufacture of some glass and enamel goods. Fluorite is a source of fluoride for hydrofluoric acid processing. Translucent fluorite lenses are lower in dispersion than glass lenses, resulting in lower distortion, making them useful in microscopes and telescopes.     History   Fluorite is generally...

Composition   Fuchsite is a green mica of the Muscovite family.  The green color of the stone is owing to the traces of chromium present in the stone's composition. The greater the chromium content in the Fuchsite, the darker and more vivid the green color. It's named after Johann Fuchs, a German mineralogist. It is present mostly in Brazil, but also in India, Russia, and Zimbabwe.  Ruby Fuchsite is a mix stone made of Ruby and green Fuchsite.   History   Fuchsite named after Johann Fuchs, a German mineralogist. It is present mostly in Brazil, but also in India, Russia, and Zimbabwe.    ...

Composition   Garnet is a beautiful gemstone that is dominantly crimson color, but can be present in any hue. Blue garnets are the most uncommon and were first found in the 1990s. The refractive properties of garnet are in the spectrum between high-quality, clear garnets and impure garnets that are used for industrial purposes. Garnets do not have standard plane breakage, so when a stone splits, sharp, irregular fragments are created.     History   Garnet is derived from the Latin word Granatum, or pomegranate, owing to the similarity of the granular forms of Garnet to the seeds of that fruit. Garnets range in scale...

Composition     Graveyard Point Plume Agate is a notable agate from far eastern Oregon. Grave Point Plume Agate occurs naturally in fractures of basalt. There are several agate vein exposes occurring about 10 feet or so. The veins range in thickness from around 1 inch to 18 inches, and can stretch for as long as 30 feet. Veins may branch in several different directions, although most veins are vertical.   History   Agate collectors have gathered in Eastern Oregon for almost 40 years . There have been several mining operations in this region in the past, and 3 or 4 claims are...