Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are most of the classic gemstones adorning royal jewels. But they used to be accompanied by a stone that nowadays is most often found in museum gift shops: Amethyst. Here's the story of...

In the mid-2010s, researchers discovered something odd underneath Greenland - there was a giant hole under a glacier, and they had no idea what had caused it. More confusing still, other researchers were searching for the cause of a...

There's a few minerals that exhibit something called piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity, which mean that either heat or pressure can turn them electric. Here's a demo from the SciShow Rocks Box where you can see this for yourself - all...

If you're lucky enough to find a glowing rock, it likely doesn't mean you're the chosen one. In fact, it could have to do with one of these five phenomena! Learn about the quantum mechanics of glowing rocks in this new SciShow Episode...

Some might call sand coarse, rough and irritating, but there’s no denying that it’s used everywhere: from glass to asphalt, sand is a key ingredient for all sorts of materials in construction and technology. But this heavy reliance on...

Gems are more than just pretty rocks! Hosted by: Michael Aranda

Astronomers have thought for years that Earth was dry in the beginning, but a new paper suggests that Earth might have actually started out wet! And In other meteorite news, a new study of impact sites might give us new clues about...

Some might call sand coarse, rough and irritating, but there’s no denying that it’s used everywhere: from glass to asphalt, sand is a key ingredient for all sorts of materials in construction and technology. But this heavy reliance on...

Rocks or mineral crystals can often remind us of other things in our daily lives, but coming across some of THESE rocks might be one of the creepiest experiences a rockhound can have!

How concerned are scientists about the Larson C ice shelf calving its most recent iceberg? Archeologists have also found new evidence that confirms earlier dates for the existence of ancient Australian humans.

If you find a glowing rock, it probably doesn't mean you're the chosen one. If it's one of these five phenomena, it's quantum mechanics, not narrative significance.

Cha
pters

View all

FLUOR
ESCENCE
...

All along the east coast of the United States there are thousands of oval shaped pock marks, and scientists think they have a clue as to how they got there.

If you look through your glasses, binoculars or a window, you see the world on the other side. How is it that something so solid can be so invisible? Mark Miodownik melts the scientific secret behind amorphous solids.

The world’s first artificial pigment, Egyptian blue, may help scientists prevent forgery and even save lives.

It might sound like science fiction, but if you press on a crystal of sugar, it will actually generate its own electricity. This simple crystal can act like a tiny power source because sugar happens to be piezoelectric. Ashwini...

What makes crystals grow into their signature shapes? Dig into the atomic patterns and unique properties of crystals. -- Many crystals have signature shapes— like the cascade of pointed quartz or a pile of galena cubes. Every...

Howcast - Learn how to make beaded drop earrings with this Howcast video about how to make jewelry.

Howcast - Cupid not cooperating? Try a little magic to attract your true love with these spells.

Silicon compounds | Silicates , earth crust |Natural occurance | Silica SiO2 | Polymorphism | Quartz | Japer |Onyz | Kieselguhr | Diatoms in sea |SiO2 preparation | oxidation of silica | orthosilisic acid Silicates,...

Properties of silica | Silicon -Oxygen bond | SiF4, H2SiF6 | Silicon carbide SiC| Hardest substance | piezo-electric effect|Applications of quartz ; Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is a hard, white, and translucent material...

Studying Non-Crystalline Materials

A substance that lacks a regular and ordered arrangement of its constituent particles is referred to as an amorphous solid. Amorphous solids include things like proteins, plastics, glass,...

Silicates | PyroSilicates | Chain Silicates | 3D Silicates | Pyrosilicate representaion | Si2O76- |Beryl | pyroxenes | sheet like structure | china clay | Zeolite | Quartz | Feldspar | Ultramarine | uses of silicates |...

An amorphous solid is one whose atoms or molecules are not arranged in an ordered crystalline lattice.
<

br/>

A Twig Science
Glossary Film.
Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and...

A naturally occurring element or compound that has a crystalline form and has been produced by geological processes.
<

br/>

A Twig Science
Glossary Film.
Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning...