Oxide Collection (page 4)

Natural ruby in marble
From the mines of Mogok in Burma (Myanmar). Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum with small impurities of chromium that turn it red

Cursed amethyst
When the Mineralogy Department received this amethyst in 1943 they found a note inside the box: this stone is trebly accursed and is stained with the blood

Plate 3a from Histoire naturelle? (1789)
Plate 3a, Histoire Naturel Des Mineraux et de Pierres Precieuses, from Histoire naturelle: ou, Exposition des morceaux, les mieux choisis pour servir? (1789) by by Swebach Desfontaines

Magnetite (iron oxide) specimen from Piedmont, Italy. From the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Corundum group
A collection of crystals including ruby and sapphire particolor, ruby rhomboid, and hexagonal cut sapphire

Ruby and Sapphire
Specimens of the mineral corundum (Aluminum Oxide), a ruby and saphire. These gemstones are varieties of the corundum mineral. A collection of crystals including the Edwardes ruby

Sapphire turban button
A rose-cut facetted deep-blue sapphire mounted in a button of quartz, inlaid with gold, rubies & emeralds. No 198 in the collection of Sir Hans Sloane

Columbite
Specimen used by Charles Hatchett when he discovered niobium (then called columbium) and now called columbite in 1801. Mineral collection, the Natural History Museum

The discovery of Niobium
Paper by Charles Hatchett, read at the Royal Society London 1801, describing how he discovered niobium (then called columbium). This mineral is now known as Columbite

Psilomelane
A bright black botryoidal mass of psilomelane. Psilomelane comprises of (barium manganese oxide hydroxide). Specimen from Monkstone mine, Brent Tor, Devon

Pyrochlore
Scanning electron microscope images of elemental maps showing thorium, uranium, tantalum and silicon in the mineral pyrochlore from Sokli, Finland

Cassiterite
A dark-brown single crystal of cassiterite among quartz. Cassiterite comprises of (tin oxide) and forms ornately faceted crystals with high lustre. Specimen from Turnavore mine, St. Agnes, Cornwall

Cassiterite pseudomorphous after orthoclase
Brown granular cassiterite (tin oxide) have replaced twinned orthoclase crystals. Wheal Coates, St. Agnes, Cornwall

Manganite (manganese oxide hydroxide), characterized by short prismatic crystals. This specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London

Realgar comprises of (arsenic sulphide). It is also known as ruby sulphur and is a rare non-metallic sulphide mineral. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Sohngeite

Wood tin, variety of cassiterite
Dark-brown banded aggregates of cassiterite intergrown with white quartz and black tourmaline. Cassiterite comprises of (tin oxide). This polished specimen is from West Kitty mine, St. Agnes, Cornwall

Trechmannite
A red crystal of trechmannite comprised of (silver arsenic sulphide). A specimen from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Goethite comprises of hydrated iron oxide. Picture shows radiating bands within the disc-shaped crystals. This specimen is displayed at the Natural History Museum, London

Pleochroism in an iolite cut stone
This iolite (magnesium aluminium silicate) is displaying pleochroism, a varied colour effect as the gem is turned. See also 3960

Spinel crystal and cut stone
Spinel (magnesium aluminium oxide) crystal from Ruby Mines, Mogok, Burma with spinel cut stone from Sri Lanka. Spinel is found in a red colour and has been previously mistaken for ruby

Anatase
A brown to black single tetragonal crystal of anatase (titanium oxide). Anatase is a polymorph of rutile and brookite, meaning they carry the same chemistry, but with a different structure

Many colours of corundum
Ruby and sapphire cut corundum stones viewed through their pavilions. Corundum is the second hardest natural mineral known

Rubies and sapphires
Crystals of ruby from Burma which is the red variety of corundum (aluminium oxide). The other variety is sapphire, this specimen is from Kashmir. The lower left specimen is the Edwardes Ruby

Braunite is a native oxide of manganese. Its crystals are dark brownish black in colour. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Ruby and sapphire gravel
Ruby and sapphire fragments from gem gravels seen on a background of slate. Ruby and sapphire are both varieties of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide)

Tiger s-eye and Hawk s-eye
Formed when blue crocidolite asbestos is replaced by quartz. Hawk s-eye retains the original colour while tiger s-eye contains a residue of iron oxide

Zincite comprises of (zinc oxide). It is an important ore of zinc, and almost exclusive to one mining locality in New Jersey, U.S.A. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Tenorite is comprised of (copper oxide). It is found as grey to black metallic crystals and as a by-product of lava flows. Fibrous specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Franklinite, fluorescing
Ore of zinc fluorescing under ultra violet radiation: calcite - pink; willemite - green; zincite - blue; franklinite - black. See image number 388 for white light view

Gemstone series: sapphire
Sapphire, the blue variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Sapphire can be found in a number of different colours. Specimen at the Natural History Museum, London

Birthstone Series: Ruby

Chrysis rudii, ruby-tailed wasp
An illustration of a ruby-tailed wasp (Chrysis rudii)

Cassiterite, sparable tin
Dark-brown slender lustrous prisms of cassiterite (tin oxide) on brownish siderite and dark-green chlorite. Specimen from the Dolcoath mine, Camborne, Cornwall

Plate 99, from Mineralogie
Various gemstone varieties including diamond, ruby, sapphire, spinel and Topaz. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie vol.3 (1790) by F.L. Swebach Desfontaines

Plate 3 from Histoire naturelle? (1789)
Plate 3, Histoire Naturelle ou Mineralogie Complete from Histoire naturelle: ou, Exposition des morceaux, les mieux choisis pour servir (1789) by by Swebach Desfontaines

Sweetite
A Specimen from the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London from Milltown, Ashover, Derbyshire

Hematite tumblestone

Hematite group
A group of hematite

Star rubies and sapphires
Star stones of ruby and sapphire, both are varieties of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Ruby always appears in red where as sapphire comes in a variety of colours

Ruby and Sapphire cut stones

Alexandrite
A twinned alexandrite crystal. Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl (beryllium aluminum oxide) and is named after the former Czar of Russia, Alexander II

Ruby
A six-rayed star ruby. Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide)

Sapphire
A six-rayed star blue sapphire. Sapphires derives from the corundum mineral group which is the second hardest group known

Chromite (iron chromium oxide) is the ore of chromium and has an attractive shiny surface. It is used in the manufacture of stainless steel and in metallic paints

Sapphire crystal
Sapphire is a blue variety of corundum, which is the second hardest natural substance known on Earth. Specimen originates from Olberg, Rheinland, now at the Natural History Museum, London

Ruby is a variety of corundum, which is the second hardest natural substance known on Earth. Specimen is originally from Aust-Agder, Norway, and is now on display at the Natural History Museum, London

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"Exploring the World of Oxide: From Perovskite Crystal Structure to Ancient Mines" Delving into the depths of mineralogy, we uncover the fascinating world of oxides. Journeying to Wherry Mine in Cornwall, England, we discover Cassiterite - a captivating oxide with its unique crystal structure. Franklinite, a zinc ore found in Wherrytown's mines, showcases the diverse range of oxides and their industrial applications. The enigmatic beauty of Perovskite captivates our imagination as we explore its intricate crystal lattice structure. Unveiling the intriguing connection between oxides and religion, we encounter a Crucifix carved from an ancient rock rich in copper oxide minerals. Rewinding time through vintage advertisements, Dr Williams' pink pills for pale people remind us how oxides have been used historically for medicinal purposes. Gazing upon Cuprite with Minor Quartz from Gwennap's mines in Cornwall takes us on a visual journey through nature's artistic expression using vibrant red oxide hues. Hematite from Buxton reveals nature's mastery at creating stunning formations that showcase iron oxide's mesmerizing colors and patterns. In Forest of Dean, Goethite with Calcite reminds us that even humble rust can transform into breathtaking works of art when combined with other minerals like calcite crystals. Manganite from Warwickshire tells tales of geological wonders hidden beneath our feet - showcasing manganese dioxide's ability to form striking black crystalline structures. Wheal Maudlin in Lostwithiel holds secrets within its ancient grounds; Cassiterite emerges as a testament to Cornwall’s rich mining history and its significant role in tin production. In this captivating exploration into the realm of oxides, we witness their remarkable diversity and undeniable allure across various locations worldwide – reminding us that these compounds are not just scientific curiosities, but also integral parts of our geological heritage.