Staurolite is a red-brown to black, mostly opaque, nesosilicate mineral with a white streak. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 and the chemical formula: Fe2+2Al9O6(SiO4)4(O,OH)2. Magnesium, zinc and manganese substitute in the iron site and trivalent iron can substitute for aluminium.[1] Properties Staurolite often occurs twinned… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Staurolite

Garnets (pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːrnᵻt/) are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. All species of garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms, but differ in chemical composition. The different species are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular (varieties of which are hessonite or cinnamon-stone and tsavorite), uvarovite… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Garnet

Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown due to ferric impurities. Natural citrines are rare; most commercial citrines are heat-treated amethysts or smoky quartzes. However, a heat-treated amethyst will have small lines in the crystal, as opposed to a natural citrine’s cloudy or smokey appearance. It is… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Citrine

Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.[2] Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale.[2] Most emeralds are highly included,[3] so their toughness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor. Emerald is a cyclosilicate. Properties determining value… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Emerald

Garnets (pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːrnᵻt/) are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. All species of garnets possess similar physical properties and crystal forms, but differ in chemical composition. The different species are pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular (varieties of which are hessonite or cinnamon-stone and tsavorite), uvarovite… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Garnet

Smoky quartz is a gray, translucent variety of quartz. It ranges in clarity from almost complete transparency to a brownish-gray crystal that is almost opaque. Some can also be black.[6] Like other quartz gems, it is a silicon dioxide crystal. The smoky color results from free silicon, formed from the silicon dioxide by natural irradiation.… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Smoky Quartz

Aquamarine, named for the Latin phrase “water of the sea”, is the blue to blue-green variety Beryl. Beryl also contains other gem varieties, including Emerald, and some lesser known varieties such as Morganite and Heliodor. Aquamarine ranges in color from a faint light blue to blue and bluish-green, with lighter colored stones being the more… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Aquamarine

Rose Quartz is the rosy pink variety of Quartz. Its color is usually soft, ranging from very light pink to medium pink in intensity. It is often hazy or turbid, which makes it lack good transparency. Rose Quartz is fairly common and found in many places throughout the world, and can occur in very large… Continue reading NC Gemstones: Rose Quartz

When you visit R&R Indoor Gem Mine in Cherokee, NC, you will walk into a heated/ cooled environment with a friendly and helpful staff. You will have fun, learn, laugh, and have a unique experience. More than that, you will have the opportunity to find some of the country’s greatest treasures. Some of the most… Continue reading You’ll Be Surprised At What You Can Fine