Mineral Mystery Box

Calcite
ORIGIN: China
FUN FACTS
1. Calcite has more crystal forms than any other minerals, more than 300 different types.
2. Calcite is the most widely distributed minerals on the Earth's surface.
3. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, calcite can be used as medicine, with the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, promoting blood circulation and detoxication.

Corundum : Ruby
ORIGIN: Africa
FUN FACTS:
1. Many historical ref color gemstones are mistakenly named as Ruby, for example The Black Prince's Ruby which is a red spinel set on the King Charles III's Imperial State Crown.
2. Word ruby comes from ruber, Latin for red.
3. Greenland ruby are the oldest ruby in the earth that approximately 2.7 billion years old.

Feldspar
ORIGIN: Africa
FUN FACTS
1. Feldspar is a very important mineral that makes up about 60% of the Earth's crust.
2. Feldspar have been added to some household cleaners to give a mild abrasive action.
3. Feldspar has a Mohs hardness of 6, which is similar to glass and steel knives.

Fluorite
ORIGIN: China
FUN FACTS:
1. In the traditional steel production industry, fluorite is used as a flux to lower the melting point of the raw material to help remove impurities.
2. Ancient Chinese Night-shining jewel were made of fluorite.
3. Fluorite is from the Latin word fluere means "to flow”.

Garnet
ORIGIN: Africa
FUN FACTS:
1. Garnet have been used as gemstones and abrasives since the Bronze Age(circa 3000 BCE).
2. Garnet is an entire mineral group, not just one mineral.
3. Garnet derived from Old French grenate means depp red, from Latin granatus, from granum meaning grain and seed.

Kyanite
ORIGIN: Myanmar
FUN FACTS:
1. Name comes from the Ancient Greek word kyanos (κύανος), means "dark blue”, same origin as the color cyan.
2. Kyanite will dissolve in water if it is submersed for a period of time.
3. Kyanite can be used in refractory and ceramic products such as insulators.

Quartz
FUN FACTS
1. Ancient Greeks named quartz as κρύσταλλος (krustallos) derived from the κρύος (kruos) meaning "icy cold"
2. Pliny the Elder believed quartz is an ice which permanently frozen after long period of time.
3. Quartz powder or quartz ore are mixed with resin to create artificial stone, which is currently the mainstream of home kitchen countertops in the market.

Rhodonite
ORIGIN: Brazil
FUN FACTS:
1. Rhodonite commonly occurs with a rose-red color, name from Ancient Greek rhódon (ῥόδον) means 'rose'.
2. Perfect cleavage makes most rhodonite translucent to opaque, faceted stones are rare and delicate.
3. Rhodonite usually comes with black veins or patches, which due to concentrations of manganese oxides.

Topaz
ORIGIN: Myanmar
FUN FACTS:
1. The ancient Romans believed topaz provided protection from danger while traveling.
2. Some believe Topaz name came from a small island located in the Red Sea called Topazios, however this island never produced any topaz.
3. Natural blue topaz is very rare and usually pale in color, most intense blue color topaz in the market is treated.

Tourmaline
ORIGIN: Myanmar
FUN FACTS:
1. Paraiba, an electric blue tourmaline is one of the rarest and most sought after gemstone in the world.
2. Some call tourmaline the "garbage-can mineral" because it allows so many variation in its chemistry and structure.
3. Tourmaline has been used in pressure devices because of its piezoelectric properties.

"Journey with Minerals" Exhibition
L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts located at K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong, presents the latest exhibition titled “Journey with Minerals”. The exhibition is in partnership with the renowned Mineralogy Museum of Mines Paris - PSL. With approximately 40 pieces, the exhibition showcases minerals through five thematic journeys, delving into the fascinating world of minerals and revealing their intricate properties and poetic features.
Free admission with guided tours available.