January - Garnet
Fe3Al2(SiO4)3
Hands-on chemistry
Gem and Mineral Recipe Library
Explore birthstone-inspired chemistry activities, mineral compositions, and the elements that give gems their structure and color.
February - Amethyst
SiO2 with iron traces
March - Aquamarine
Be3Al2Si6O18
April - Diamond
Pure carbon
May - Emerald
Be3Al2Si6O18 with chromium or vanadium
June - Pearl
Calcium carbonate
July - Ruby
Al2O3 with chromium
August - Peridot
(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
September - Sapphire
Al2O3 with trace metals
October - Opal
Hydrated silica
November - Topaz
Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
December - Turquoise
Hydrated copper aluminum phosphate
Connect Recipes to Element Profiles
Each recipe highlights the elements behind a familiar gem or mineral. Open the linked element pages to compare atomic structure, category, phase, and electron configuration before trying a classroom-safe activity.