Crystal and Gemstone Scientific Terms
Aggregate: when one or more mineral is present
Amorphous: “without form”, lacking definite crystal structures
Cleavage: the plane along which a crystal can be split
Columnar: having the form of a column
Crystal: a mass of mineral, having a regular geometric shape and bounded by smooth, flat crystal faces
Crystallography: the science of crystals
Dendritic: having tree-like markings
Dichroism: showing one of two colors depending on how the light hits the crystal
Element: single chemical or substance of which matter is formed. It cannot be broken down into a simpler substance by chemical or physical means.
Fossil: remains, impression, or trace of a living thing from a different geological era
Gemology: the science of gemstones
Gemstone: a precious or semiprecious stone that can be used as a jewel when cut and polished
Habit: Crystal habit refers to the characteristic shape of a crystal or aggregate of crystals.
Igneous: rocks that form when volcanic magma solidifies
Iridescence: the interchanging of colors
Jewel: an ornamental piece, a piece of jewelry with one or more gemstones, or a cut unset gemstone
Lattice: a regular pattern of atoms within a crystal structure
Matrix: doesn’t refer to “The Matrix”, it refers to the finer-grain stone around crystals. It can be thought of as the stone a crystal grows on.
Metamorphic rock: a rock that was formed from pre-existing rock through the process of heat, pressure, molten fluid, or any combination of these factors
Microcrystalline: having crystals that are too small to be seen by the naked eye
Mineral: any naturally occurring inorganic solid that possesses an orderly crystalline structure and a well-defined chemical composition
Minerology: the science of minerals
Mohs Scale: a hardness scale that was created by Fredich Mohs
Nodular: irregular lump-like shapes in rocks or minerals
Organic compound: compounds in or produced by plants and animals an containing carbon as an essential ingredient
Period Table: a list of all chemical elements in order of atomic weight
Pleochroism: showing one of two or more colors depending on the angle at which it is viewed
Polarization: modification of light depending on the angle at which it is viewed
Refraction: diversion of light from its natural course
Rock: In regards to gemstones, a rock is a natural aggregate of two or more minerals. In regards to geology, it is simply any solid mass of mineral or mineral-like matter that occurs naturally as part of our planet.
Schiller: a sparkling effect created by microcrystals
Sedimentary: rocks that have been formed by being compressed by its own weight and water
Semi-Precious Stone: This term is no longer as common as it used to be. It used to refer to stones that were of value, but not as valued as the precious stones.
Stone: in general, a collective name for all solid constituents of the Earth’s crust, except for ice and coal
Tabular: having a flat base and top
Tektite: composed of silicate glass and thought to have been formed by the impact of a meteorite with the earth's surface.
Termination: the pointed tip of a crystal
Vitreous: having an appearance of resembling glass
Amorphous: “without form”, lacking definite crystal structures
Cleavage: the plane along which a crystal can be split
Columnar: having the form of a column
Crystal: a mass of mineral, having a regular geometric shape and bounded by smooth, flat crystal faces
Crystallography: the science of crystals
Dendritic: having tree-like markings
Dichroism: showing one of two colors depending on how the light hits the crystal
Element: single chemical or substance of which matter is formed. It cannot be broken down into a simpler substance by chemical or physical means.
Fossil: remains, impression, or trace of a living thing from a different geological era
Gemology: the science of gemstones
Gemstone: a precious or semiprecious stone that can be used as a jewel when cut and polished
Habit: Crystal habit refers to the characteristic shape of a crystal or aggregate of crystals.
Igneous: rocks that form when volcanic magma solidifies
Iridescence: the interchanging of colors
Jewel: an ornamental piece, a piece of jewelry with one or more gemstones, or a cut unset gemstone
Lattice: a regular pattern of atoms within a crystal structure
Matrix: doesn’t refer to “The Matrix”, it refers to the finer-grain stone around crystals. It can be thought of as the stone a crystal grows on.
Metamorphic rock: a rock that was formed from pre-existing rock through the process of heat, pressure, molten fluid, or any combination of these factors
Microcrystalline: having crystals that are too small to be seen by the naked eye
Mineral: any naturally occurring inorganic solid that possesses an orderly crystalline structure and a well-defined chemical composition
Minerology: the science of minerals
Mohs Scale: a hardness scale that was created by Fredich Mohs
Nodular: irregular lump-like shapes in rocks or minerals
Organic compound: compounds in or produced by plants and animals an containing carbon as an essential ingredient
Period Table: a list of all chemical elements in order of atomic weight
Pleochroism: showing one of two or more colors depending on the angle at which it is viewed
Polarization: modification of light depending on the angle at which it is viewed
Refraction: diversion of light from its natural course
Rock: In regards to gemstones, a rock is a natural aggregate of two or more minerals. In regards to geology, it is simply any solid mass of mineral or mineral-like matter that occurs naturally as part of our planet.
Schiller: a sparkling effect created by microcrystals
Sedimentary: rocks that have been formed by being compressed by its own weight and water
Semi-Precious Stone: This term is no longer as common as it used to be. It used to refer to stones that were of value, but not as valued as the precious stones.
Stone: in general, a collective name for all solid constituents of the Earth’s crust, except for ice and coal
Tabular: having a flat base and top
Tektite: composed of silicate glass and thought to have been formed by the impact of a meteorite with the earth's surface.
Termination: the pointed tip of a crystal
Vitreous: having an appearance of resembling glass
