Rarer than diamonds and more valuable than any other coloured jewels, a fine emerald represents natural beauty at its most beguiling. Jonathan Self journeys into the lustrous world of this revered gemstone

Explore the variety of ice types found in nature, their properties and how they form

Of all the rooms in the house, the kitchen must surely be the hardest working. Prepping, cooking, eating and socialising make for plenty of use, so surfaces need to be able to withstand wear and tear,

It’s a cold, clear February evening on Brighton beach. The sun has not yet dipped below the horizon and the last of the light is that strange, luminescent blue that presages dusk. Hundreds of pairs of

LUCKY JANUARY

Seeking answers to your science questions? Ask our resident expert, Peter Gallivan