Orthosilicate Collection

Garnet Peridotite
Garnet-peridotite, a major constituent in the make-up of the Earth. Image published in Natures Connections An Exploration of Natural History. Published in 2000

Section of Chassigny meteorite
Thin section of Chassigny in cross-polarized light, showing shocked and deformed olivine grains. The field of view is 3mm

Zircon cut stones
Cut stones showing the natural colour range and lustre of zircon. Zircon is the birthstone of December. It comprises of (zirconium silicate) and is not the same as the artificial gem cubic zircona

Garnet-bearing rock, collected at Karin Hill, Neilgherries, India by Dr Benza c.1837. NHM specimen number: BM 867

Topaz
This 2982-carat topaz is the largest cut gem at the museum

Schist
A garnet schist from Moidart, Scotland. This specimen is a medium-grained metamorphic rock

Jadarite
Minerals curator Mike Rumsey studying the mineral called jadarite which has the same chemical composition as kryptonite. Discovered in Serbia in 2006, jadarite is composed of sodium, lithium

Shale (right) and garnet-mica-schist (left)
Shale is sedimentary and garnet-mica-schist is metamorphoc in origin. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Peridot
Crystal of peridot from Zebirget (St Johns Island), Red Sea. Peridot is the gemstone variety of olivine (magnesium iron silicate)

Garnet-topped doublet
A green garnet-topped doublet. Garnets are common in metamorphosed rocks and also in some igneous formations

Topaz C016 / 6141
Topaz. This 2982-carat topaz is the largest cut gem at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Garnet gemstone C016 / 5984
Garnet (iron aluminium silicate) gemstone. Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. Gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London, UK

Garnet C016 / 5661
Garnet. Specimen of rock containing garnet (red, centre)

Spessartine garnet C016 / 5657
Spessartine garnet (manganese aluminum silicate). A cut stone and crystal from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Imperial Topaz
Found in 1852 in one of the oldest mines in the southeastern Ouro Preto region of Brazil

Plate 3a from Histoire naturelle? (1789)
Plate 3a, Histoire Naturel Des Mineraux et de Pierres Precieuses, from Histoire naturelle: ou, Exposition des morceaux, les mieux choisis pour servir? (1789) by by Swebach Desfontaines

The Esquel pallasite

Plate 10, fig 2 from Mineralienbuch
An illustration of an andalusite mineral deposit showing columnar crystals. Plate 10, fig 2 from Mineralienbuch by F. A. Schmidt, Stuttgart 1855

Jadarite specimen
The mineral jadarite has the same chemical composition as kryptonite. Discovered in Serbia in 2006, jadarite is composed of sodium, lithium, boron silicate and hydroxide

Birthstone Series: Zircon
Zircon comes in a variety of colours, but most commonly brown or green. It is the birthstone for the month of December (along with Tanzinte and Turquoise). Photographed by Harry Taylor

Included diamond gemstone
A two-carat rectangular step-cut diamond with a large violet-red garnet inclusion visible in the table facet

Uvarovite garnets comprise of (calcium chromium silicate). They are characterized by their green colour and rounded crystals of either 12 or 24 faces

Spessartine comprises of (manganese aluminum silicate) and is found in metamorphic environments

Phenakite is comprised of (beryllium silicate). Visually it closely resembles quartz, but chemically it is closer to gemstones such as topaz and beryl

Topaz comprises of (aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide). This is a specimen from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Russian topaz
Topaz comprises of (aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide) and is the birthstone of November. Brown topaz specimens from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Zircon is the birthstone of December. It comprises of (zirconium silicate) and is not the same as the artificial gem cubic zircona. Crystal specimens are from Nigeria

Pyrope garnet
A cut stone and collection of crystals of pink pyrope garnet (magnesium aluminum silicate). Specimens from the Natural History Museum, London

Kyanite comprises of (aluminum silicate) and shares this composition with both sillimanite and adalusite. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Spessartine garnet
Spessartine comprises of (manganese aluminum silicate). A cut stone and crystal from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Garnetiferous schist
Schist is a metamorphic rock, and this specimen show large formations of the gemstone garnet

Crystal, carving and treated blue topaz
An orange crystal, colourless carving of Queen Victorias head and a heat-treated blue topaz gem of 0.24ct

Andradite is variety dementoid, garnet and comprises of (calcium iron silicate). These crystals are in a matrix from Lanzada, Valtellina, Italy and the cut stone is from an unknown locality

A selection of topaz cut stones
Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral and comprises of (aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide)

Olivine comprises of (magnesium iron silicate) and is a common source of magnesium. Peridot is the gemstone variety of olivine. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London

Peridot cut stone 146. 1 ct
Peridot is gem variety of the mineral olivine (Magnesium Iron Silicate). It is also the birthstone of August

Chlorite variant clinochlore
Books of clinochlore with hessonite garnet from Piedmont, Italy. Clinochlore (Magnesium Iron Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide) is a common member of the Chlorite group of minerals

Topaz
A crystal and a cut topaz stone from the collections of the Natural History Museum, London. Topaz comprises of (aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide)

Birthstone Series: Peridot
Peridot, a gemstone from the Natural History Museum, London. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August (along with Sardonyx). Photographed by Frank Greenaway

Birthstone Series: Blue Topaz

Birthstone Series: Topaz
Topaz has a chemical composition of aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide and is the birthstone for the month of November (along with Citrine). Photographed by Frank Greenaway

Plate 99, from Mineralogie
Various gemstone varieties including diamond, ruby, sapphire, spinel and Topaz. From Recuille complet de Mineralogie vol.3 (1790) by F.L. Swebach Desfontaines

Plate 3 from Histoire naturelle? (1789)
Plate 3, Histoire Naturelle ou Mineralogie Complete from Histoire naturelle: ou, Exposition des morceaux, les mieux choisis pour servir (1789) by by Swebach Desfontaines

Plate 4a from Histoire naturelle? (1789)
Plate 4a Mineralogie, [unfinished] from Histoire naturelle: ou, Exposition des morceaux, les mieux choisis pour servir? (1789) by by Swebach Desfontaines

Kor-i-noor replica
An exact copy of the original Kor-i-noor diamond created from cubic zirconia by John Nels Hatleberg (Cat 157). Photographed by Frank Greenaway

Birthstone Series: Garnet
Garnet has a chemical composition of iron aluminium silicate. It is the birthstone of the month of January. Gemstone from the Natural History Museum collections, in London

Microscope image of the Brachina meteorite, the type specimen of the Brachinite meteorites. Brachinites are composed mostly of olivine with minor amounts of pyroxene and plagioclase

Porphyritic olivine and pyroxene chondrule
Microscopic image of a porphyritic olivine and pyroxene chondrule from the Palmyra (L3) ordinary chondrite (the chondrule is about 1.8mm across)

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Orthosilicate, a mineral compound with a fascinating array of forms and compositions, holds the key to unlocking Earth's geological mysteries. From its presence in garnet peridotite to being found in sections of the Chassigny meteorite, orthosilicate is an integral part of our planet's composition. One remarkable example can be seen in the Esquel pallasite, where it beautifully combines with other minerals to create a mesmerizing display. Another manifestation is observed in zircon cut stones that showcase the gem-like qualities this mineral possesses. Garnet-bearing rock formations also feature orthosilicate prominently, adding depth and color to their already stunning appearance. The interplay between topaz and schist highlights how orthosilicate contributes to diverse geological formations around the world. Intriguingly named Jadarite showcases yet another facet of orthosilicate's versatility as it occurs alongside shale on one side and garnet-mica-schist on the other. This unique combination exemplifies how different minerals interact within nature's tapestry. Peridot, known for its vibrant green hue, owes much of its allure to the presence of orthosilicate. Its association with garnet-topped doublets further enhances its visual appeal while maintaining structural integrity. The Topaz C016/6141 variety reveals yet another dimension of this versatile mineral compound. Its distinct characteristics make it sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike who appreciate both beauty and scientific significance, and are not just ordinary minerals; they hold clues about our planet's history and evolution through their intricate structures. Whether found deep within Earth or scattered across celestial bodies like meteorites, these compounds continue to captivate scientists and geologists worldwide as they unravel Earth's secrets one discovery at a time.