So far in this series, pretty much every material we’ve covered has had to undergo a significant industrial process to transform it from its natural state to a more useful product. Whether it’s the ...

Humanity’s fascination with gold stretches back thousands of years. Gold mining is described in ancient Greek and Roman sources, and gold rushes – especially in the 19th century – played a powerful ...

We now use quartz-based crystals and their oscillators as standard components in nearly every design. There are countless versions available with different sets of specifications ranging from fairly ...

Katie has a PhD in maths, specializing in the intersection of dynamical systems and number theory. She reports on topics from maths and history to society and animals. Katie has a PhD in maths, ...

Mount Ida is known for its rich quartz crystal deposits, making it a unique destination for rock enthusiasts. Visitors can dig for crystals, hike scenic trails, or enjoy the clear waters of Lake ...

A remarkable find in France reveals a 45,000-year-old Neanderthal quartz scraper that changes the narrative around these ancient beings. This tool, crafted from rare rock crystal, highlights that ...