Category: Mineralogy

In its pure elemental form, calcium is a surprisingly soft, silvery-white metal that can be easily cut with a knife. This contrasts sharply with its role in creating hard substances like bones and limestone, making the answer to "Is calcium soft or hard?" depend entirely on context.

Approximately 90% of all known minerals display some form of cleavage, a predictable way they break due to atomic structure. Learn exactly what a 4 direction cleavage is, its significance in geology, and which minerals exhibit this unique trait.

Fact: Cinnabar, a beautiful red mineral, contains mercury sulfide, a highly toxic compound. Cinnabar is toxic to humans primarily through inhalation and ingestion, though skin exposure poses a risk as well due to its mercury content.

While commonly associated with modern technology like batteries, lithium is an element with a long history of natural occurrence throughout the Earth. It exists in trace amounts across our planet’s geology and enters the food chain through natural processes. This guide explores the diverse places where you can find lithium naturally.