Hematite is the mineral form of Iron Oxide, composed of two elements key in our lives, iron and oxygen. It is commonly recognized in its tumbled form for its stunning, shiny metallic black and silver mirroring qualities. Its name, however, is derived from the Latin Haimatites Lithos (blood red stone), because in its powdered or sedimentary form it is actually red. Historically this pigment in a clay or sandy mineral form known as Red Ochre, has been used extensively for ove

Optical Calcite is a transparent form of Calcite which is, chemically speaking, Calcium Carbonate. Commonly called Iceland Spar thanks to Iceland's prolific output of this crystal, this form of Calcite is eye-catching for its perfect rhombohedra cleavage and demonstration of birefringence or double refraction. Light travels through Optical Calcite in two different directions and with two different velocities (one fast, one slow) which produce two different light rays. Obser