Glossary of Terms for Gem stones

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Glossary of Terms for Gem stones

 

Here is a Glossary from the crystalfolks2001@ list

and Carol and Felecia have given me permission to put a copy in our

files

 

 

Definitions are adapted from Bates and Jackson (1987).

 

Asterism - an optical phenomenon of a rayed or star-shaped figure of

light

displayed by some crystals.

Conchoidal fracture pattern - the broken or fractured surface of the

mineral

is smooth and curved.

Crystalline - said of a mineral particle of any size, having the

internal

structure of a crystal but lacking well developed crystal faces or an

external

form that reflects the internal atomic structure.

Homogeneous - of uniform structure or composition.

Igneous - rocks or minerals formed by solidification from a molten or

partially molten material. Can either be formed beneath the earth's

surface

(plutonic),

or by volcanic activity.

Inorganic - pertaining or relating to a compound that contains no

carbon.

Intrusion - the process of emplacement of magma in pre-existing rock.

Lapidary - refers to the art of cutting, grinding, polishing, and

engraving

precious stones.

Luster - the reflection of light from the surface of a mineral as

described

by its quality and intensity.

Magma - extremely hot, mobile, and mostly liquid rock, deep in the

earth,

from which igneous rocks form.

Pegmatite - exceptionally coarse, igneous rocks that form underground as

 

intrusions from masses of magma.

Pluton - a huge mass of magma deep within the earth; it may be mostly

liquid

or completely solidified.

Translucent - capable of transmitting light but the light is diffused so

 

that

objects seen through it cannot be distinguished.

Transparent - capable of transmitting light and through which an object

may

be seen.

Volatiles - material in a magma (such as water or carbon dioxide) that

may be

concentrated in a gaseous state. Glossary

 

Definitions are adapted from Bates and Jackson (1987).

 

 

 

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