Blog posts of '2026' 'November'

Both selenite and satin spar are names associated with gypsum varieties, but common retail satin spar has a fibrous, silky white appearance. Transparent plate-like selenite looks different. The catalogue should describe a fibrous white…

Orange calcite pyramids can have honey, peach or deeper orange areas, often crossed by pale bands. Their translucency can look inviting under side light. Calcite is a different material from quartz: a similar orange colour does not make an…

Pyrite is an iron sulphide mineral with a brassy metallic appearance. A carved pyramid may show fine grains, pits or small contrasting mineral areas instead of a perfectly mirror-flat gold surface. That texture can be part of the material,…

Carnelian is a chalcedony material valued for orange to reddish-brown colour and varying translucency. On a pyramid, thin edges may look lighter while the thick centre appears deeper. Pale clouds and bands can create an attractive visual…

Rock salt pyramids are made from halite-rich material, commonly with pale pink, cream or white variation. The body may look granular rather than like polished quartz. Ask whether the object is carved from rock salt or formed from salt…