Geology & Environmental Earth Science: Gems and Precious Metals
Precious Metals
Precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium can be of interest to geologists, mineralogists, jewelers, chemists, industry (mining and other uses for these metals) collectors and investors. There are many resources available about precious metals and often are written with one of these audiences in mind.
Below are some suggested resources for varying audiences.
- IGS's Jewelry Metals 101Gold, silver, and platinum are the most commonly used jewelry metals. Learn about their physical properties, alloys, and history.
- Mindat.orgA database of minerals and rocks, with information on identifying and classifying minerals (gold, silver, platinum and palladium are all minerals). Includes plenty of photographs.
- PubChem Compound Summary - GoldChemical information about gold, including chemical and physical properties, safety, and toxicity. Provided by the National Library of Medicine.
- PubChem Compound Summary - PalladiumChemical information about palladium, including chemical and physical properties, safety, and toxicity. Provided by the National Library of Medicine.
- PubChem Compound Summary - PlatinumChemical information about platinum, including chemical and physical properties, safety, and toxicity. Provided by the National Library of Medicine.
- PubChem Compound Summary - SilverChemical information about silver, including chemical and physical properties, safety, and toxicity. Provided by the National Library of Medicine.
- Silver InstituteThe Silver Institute is a nonprofit international association that draws its membership from across the breadth of the silver industry. This includes leading silver mining houses, refiners, bullion suppliers, manufacturers of silver products and wholesalers of silver investment products.
- USGS's Gold Statistics and InformationStatistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodity gold
- USGS's Platinum-Group Metals Statistics and InformationStatistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodities iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium (platinum-group metals)
- USGS's Silver Statistics and InformationStatistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodity silver. From the U.S. Geological Survey.
Gems
Gems, including diamonds, rubies, sapphire, emeralds and many more, can be of interest to geologists, mineralogists, jewelers, crystal enthusiasts, industry (mining and other uses for these metals) collectors and investors. Bear in mind that often times these different groups will have different names for the same mineral/gem/crystal. There are many resources available about gems and often are written with one of these audiences in mind.
Below are some suggested resources for varying audiences.
- IGS's Gemstone EncyclopediaDetailed information on gemstones. Some information is free, however other information is only for paid members.
- Mindat.orgA database of minerals and rocks, with information on identifying and classifying minerals. Includes plenty of photographs.
- USGS's Gemstones Statistics and InformationStatistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodity gemstones
- USGS's Industrial Diamond Statistics and InformationStatistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodity industrial diamond. Diamond may well be the world's most versatile engineering material as well as its most famous gemstone.
- USGS's Zirconium and Hafnium Statistics and InformationStatistics and information on the worldwide supply of, demand for, and flow of the mineral commodities zirconium and hafnium.
