Minerals N - Q

Ocean Jasper

Also known as "Orbicular Jasper"
Variety of: Chalcedony
Location: Madagascar
Chemical Composition: SiO2
Hardness: 6.5 - 7

Opal

October Birthstone
Location: Worldwide, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the USA
Chemical Composition: SiO2-nH2O; Hydrated Silicon Dioxide
Hardness: 5 - 6

Papagoite 

Location: S. Africa, Arizona
Chemical Composition: CaCuAlSi2O6(OH)3; Calcium Copper Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide
Hardness: 5 - 5.5

Peridot

August Birthstone
Location: China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and the United States
Variety of: Olivine
Chemical Composition: (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
Hardness: 6.5 - 7

Pearls

Organic Gemstone
Chemical Composition: Calcium Carbonate + organic substances and water
Hardness: 2.5 - 4.5
Colors: white, pink, silver, cream, golden, green, blue, and black

Petrified Wood

Location: Worldwide, Madagascar, USA, Australia & more
Variety of: Chalcedony
Chemical composition: SiO2, silicon dioxide
Hardness: 6.5 - 7

Petrified wood is fossilized wood with the mineral composition of jasper, chalcedony, and, less frequently, opal; it consists of silicon dioxide only. The wood has not actually become stone as is usually understood by the layman. The organic wood is not changed into stone, but only the shape and structural elements of the wood are preserved. The expert speaks of a pseudomorphosis of chalcedony (or jasper or opal) after wood.

Pietersite 

Location: Namibia, Africa, China
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Pietersite is an unusual form of Tiger's Eye in which the fibrous structure has been altered by geologic processes.

Pyrite

"Fool's Gold"
Location: Spain, United States, Peru, Kazakhstan,
Chemical Composition: FeS2, Iron Sulfide
Hardness: 6 - 6.5

Quartz

Variety of: Quartz
Location: Worldwide, Brazil, Arkansas, Peru, Columbia & more
Chemical Composition: SiO2 silicon dioxide
Hardness: 7