Most looked-up
Popular Minerals
Every entry pairs the hard science — chemistry, structure, formation — with a plain-language explanation of what it is and where it comes from.
Rigorous science, written for everyone. Look up any mineral by name, or just start browsing — no geology degree required.
The simplest way in. Pick a letter and see every mineral that starts with it — no jargon, just names you can recognize.
Every entry pairs the hard science — chemistry, structure, formation — with a plain-language explanation of what it is and where it comes from.
Not sure what you’re looking at? Start from a familiar idea — the gems you know, the metals you’ve heard of, the rocks in your backyard.
Meteorite minerals and species known from a single place on Earth.
Explore 126 minerals →Gold, copper, silver and the ores our world is built from.
Explore 62 minerals →Quartz, feldspar, mica — the common minerals that make up the ground.
Explore 77 minerals →Diamond, emerald, amethyst and every birthstone — the minerals we wear.
Explore 115 minerals →The showpieces — vivid color, sharp crystals, famous localities.
Explore 353 minerals →Minerals that light up in brilliant color under ultraviolet light.
Explore 11 minerals →Every page connects to the rest of the database, so one lookup leads naturally to the next — from a mineral to its family, its varieties, and where it’s found.
Found something on a hike? Answer a few simple questions — color, hardness, shine — and narrow it down to a shortlist.
Start identifying →Clear, cited articles on every species — what it is, how it forms, and why it matters — for curious readers of any level.
Start with the glossary →Put any two minerals side by side, or open the map to see where a species has been found around the world.
Compare minerals →Once you know the lingo, filter the whole catalogue the way mineralogists do — by structure, hardness, chemistry, or color.
Mineralogist.org is open and collaborative. Submit specimen photos, locality details and corrections — every contribution is reviewed and credited.
Look up a name, browse A–Z, or lose an afternoon down the rabbit hole. It’s all free, and there’s always another mineral to discover.
