Rocks, minerals & gems By Ren
A closer look at the ground we stand on.
Fresh finds, mineral science, gems, and the stories behind the specimens — for curious collectors and lifelong learners.
Explore the coverage
Find a story by topic or search the full archive.
ATR FTIR Offers Rapid Quantification of Aragonite Carbonates
Researchers developed an attenuated total reflection infrared method that accurately quantifies strontianite and witherite in aragonite mixtures without sample preparation.
Read storyNanoporous Ellipsoidal Hematite Made by Hydrothermal Process
Researchers synthesized nanoporous ellipsoidal hematite via hydrothermal growth, detailing key time points.
Read storyNew Hematite Growth Study Reveals Nanoporous Ellipsoid Formation
Researchers published new findings on nanoporous ellipsoidal hematite synthesis, a rare Turkish lawsonite eclogite site, and a rapid ATR‑FTIR technique for aragonite carbonates.
Read storyNew European Journal Reports on Hematite, Lawsonite, Aragonite Carbonates
The latest issue of the European Journal of Mineralogy presents three new studies detailing nano‑porous hematite growth, a rare lawsonite eclogite locality, and an ATR‑FTIR analysis of aragonite‑group carbonates.
Read storyNew Lawsonite Eclogite Reveals Higher‑Pressure Subduction Signals
A rare lawsonite eclogite from Elekdağ, Central Pontides, records P–T conditions (~500 °C, ~2.3 GPa) that exceed previous local estimates, refining our view of modern subduction dynamics.
Read storyNew Hematite Synthesis, Rare Lawsonite Site, and Carbonate Analysis Reported
The latest issue of the European Journal of Mineralogy reports a hydrothermal synthesis of nanoporous ellipsoidal hematite, a rare lawsonite eclogite locality in Turkey, and an ATR‑FTIR analysis of aragonite-group carbonates.
Read storyNano‑Porous Hematite Synthesized by Hydrothermal Growth
Researchers have produced nanoscale porous ellipsoidal hematite crystals using a controlled hydrothermal process.
Read storyNew Mineral Species and Analyses Published in European Journal of Mineralogy
The latest issue reports a rare lawsonite eclogite from Turkey, quantitative aragonite‑group carbonate analysis by ATR–FTIR, and exsolution textures affecting vanadium recovery.
Read storyATR‑FTIR Provides Fast Analysis of Aragonite Group Carbonates
Scientists show that ATR‑FTIR can rapidly quantify strontianite and witherite in aragonite mixtures without any sample preparation.
Read storyRare Lawsonite Eclogite Found in Turkey’s Central Pontides
A new, well‑preserved lawsonite eclogite was discovered at Elekdağ, revealing unprecedented high‑pressure, high‑temperature conditions of about 500 °C and 2.3 GPa that refine our understanding of modern subduction zones.
Read storyNew Infrared Method Quantifies Aragonite Carbonates Quickly
Scientists developed a fast infrared method that accurately quantifies mineral phases in synthetic aragonite mixtures without needing sample prep.
Read storyBelmonteite Discovered in Liguria, Europe Journal Reports New Findings
European mineral journal reports new mineral Belmonteite and studies on aragonite mixtures and vanadium extraction textures.
Read story