GEMSTONES GALORE!
Mesmer island is chock full of geological wonders. Volcanoes, canyons, mountains and caves, full of exotic crystals and fascinating minerals. Some have amazing properties, and cant be found anywhere else on earth!
By choosing the Gemstones Galore sample bag you can help the Wizard of DECOPOLIS and his team of explorers find out more about this incredible island and its geological mysteries.
Let us know what 4 of the items are inside your bag, and you can receive a FREE "Mesmer Island, Expedition Member" pin!
What YOU might find!
Quartz Crystals -- Labradorite -- Selenite -- Pyrite Clusters -- Tigers Eye -- Amethyst -- Break Your Own Geode -- Assorted Rocks & Minerals -- Volcanic Rocks
Labradorite
Above: Labradorite cabochons showing the different colors, from red and gold to blue and green. These are high quality pieces suitable for jewelry.
Above: A Labradorite piece like you might find in your sample bag. Labradorite pieces can at first look rather unimpressive, but hold it up to the light at just the right angle and voila, a shimmering, reflective glow emerges.
Notice the white ovals and slightly rough texture. The white ovals are where minerals have started to crystalize in the pores of the dinosaur bone.
Fools Gold (Iron Pyrite)
In your bag, you might find small clusters of Iron Pyrite or Fools Gold. The term "Pyrite" comes from the Greek word "Pyre" or Fire, because Pyrite emits sparks when struck by metal. The reason it's called fools gold, is because it's often found in the same places as real gold, even at times mixed with gold, and has often "fooled" some into thinking they have found real gold. Chemical formula = Iron Disulfide FeS2
Pieces of Pyrite, like you might find in your sample bag!
Large pieces of pyrite have been carved throughout history to create shimmering works of art.
Pyrite has many uses, including as an additive to make amber colored glass. Amber glass is often used in things like apothecary jars as it helps block UV, Ultraviolet, Radiation, thus helping protect the contents.
Necklace made of Pyrite beads, pearls and gold.
QUARTZ!
Clear Quartz, like diamonds, can have different values depending on the clarity and size. The more perfect and clear a piece of quartz is, the more valuable. An exception might be when another mineral or crystal grows inside the quartz making it even more beautifully interesting.
Other types of QUARTZ!
Quartz can be different colors depending on the types of elements and minerals inside of it. Different temperatures, and even different amounts of radiation, can also change the colors of quartz.
Some of the different types of Quartz, like you might find in your sample bag! Clear quartz points, Rose Quartz pieces, Tumbled Amethyst.
The worlds largest quartz cluster on display.
Selenite Crystals!
This secret crystal cave in Mexico has Selenite Crystals that are as large as 4 feet in diameter and 50 feet long! The temperature and humidity are so high that in order to enter, special cooling suits are required.
Selenite pieces, like you might find in your sample bag!
Selenite acts almost like a fiber optic glass, transmitting light up into its interior.
Geodes can be made of different minerals and come in many different colors.
And they can come in many different sizes, from tiny ones that can hang on a necklace, or giant ones like this one in the NYC Natural History Museum above.
Above: Small geodes like you might find in your sample bag!
Above: An artist created this beautiful coffee table, that looks like a butterfly, from two halves of a large Amethyst Geode!
Above: A very happy geode!
How to Break Open a Geode.
Helpful hint: When choosing from a group of geodes. Compare the weight of similar sized ones in your hands. The lighter ones are more likely to have hollow centers and will tend to break more easily.
Put on safety glasses before attempting to break open a geode. It may help to wear gloves too.
Put the geode in a sock and then place on the ground.
Take a small sledgehammer or a rock hammer (preferably not a construction or claw hammer) and strike the top center of the geode. A couple of strikes may be required. The geode may fracture into more than two pieces, but this is the most suitable method for kids to use.
