Journal · Field notes

Journal

Field notes for understanding materials, comparing stones, choosing size, and caring for what you wear.

Published records

50 records

Five mechanisms of crystal colour formation — trace elements, colour centres, structural colour, inclusions and treatments

Stone GuidesMarch 19, 2026

How Crystal Colours Form: A Science-First Explanation

How crystal colours form — trace element substitution, electron transitions, structural colour, treatment effects, and what gives each mineral its hue.

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Four geological crystal formation paths — igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary and hydrothermal

Stone GuidesMarch 19, 2026

How Crystals Form: Four Geological Paths (Igneous to Hydrothermal)

A geology-first walk through the four ways crystals form — igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary and hydrothermal — and what each path tells you about a stone.

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