The Crystal and Mineral Vault


Welcome to our Crystal and Mineral Knowledge Hub, where science tradition and mindful practice come together. This space is dedicated to exploring the formation properties and cultural associations of crystals and minerals through Mineral Vault profiles and practical guides designed to encourage informed discovery and deeper understanding.

Go to our Mineral Guides for science based knowledge and the 'How to Guides' for spiritual practices.

Azurite with Malachite Specimen - Tali & Loz Crystals

The Crystal and Mineral Vault

A Beginner's Guide to Mineral Chemical Properties and Classification

by Laura Konst
Every mineral has a chemical formula, a mineral group, and a specific gravity, but what do those actually tell you? This third guide in our Mineralogy series explains the chemical properties behind mineral classification, from reading a chemical formula to understanding the difference between silicates, carbonates, and oxides, and from specific gravity to the distinction between a mineral species, a variety, and a trade name. No chemistry background required.
Fluorescent Ruby

The Crystal and Mineral Vault

A Beginner's Guide to Mineral Optical Properties

by Laura Konst
Every mineral guide in the Mineral Vault references optical properties; colour, lustre, refractive index, birefringence, pleochroism, fluorescence, dispersion, chatoyancy, and asterism, but what do those terms actually mean? This second guide in our Mineralogy series explains each optical property clearly and practically, covering how light interacts with crystal structure to produce everything from the fire in a diamond to the cat’s eye in Tiger’s Eye. Whether you are just starting your collection or want to understand what you are already looking at, this is the place to begin.
Australian Gypsum specimen

The Crystal and Mineral Vault

A Beginner's Guide to Mineral Physical Properties: Hardness, Cleavage, Crystal Systems and More

by Laura Konst
Every mineral guide on the Mineral Vault references hardness, cleavage, fracture, tenacity, crystal system, and streak, but what do those terms actually mean? This first guide in our Mineralogy series explains each physical property clearly and practically, with no specialist equipment required. Whether you are just starting your collection or want to understand what you are already holding, this is the place to begin.
Tanzanite Crystal

The Crystal and Mineral Vault

Understanding Pleochroism: How Crystal Structure Creates Colour Change in Gemstones

by Laura Konst
Some gemstones look different every time you move them. That is not an accident or a trick of the light: it is pleochroism, a genuine optical property built into the crystal structure itself, causing different colours to be absorbed and reflected depending on the direction light travels through the stone. This guide explains what pleochroism is, why it only occurs in certain minerals, the difference between dichroism and trichroism, and why it matters for collectors, gem cutters, and anyone who wants to understand what they are looking at when a gemstone changes before their eyes.