WikiJewelry and Gemstone Wiki - Concise dictionary definitions of terms relating to jewelry (jewellery) & gemstones. If you would like to know "what is turquoise?" or "what are minerals?", then Mochishop's wiki can help.
macrocrystalline (n) crystals which are visible by sight.
microcystalline (n) tiny crystals which are discernable with the use of optical microscopes. Cf Cryptocrystalline.
mineral (n) a naturally occuring substance with a regular atomic structure, that is a crystalline structure.
mineraloid (n) a mineral-like structure which is not crystallised. Non-crystallised (i.e., mineraloid) gemstones include obsidian, jet and opal.
Mohs scale (n) a scale of relative hardnesses of minerals. Minerals are positions on the scale according to their ability to scratch - or be scratched by - other minerals. The hardest naturally occurring mineral is diamond.
moonstone (n) a gemstone which belongs to the feldspar family characterised by an optical effect known as adulerescence (or Schiller). Often moonstones are milkly white. [buy moonstone jewellery from Mochishop]
morganite (n) a pink form of the mineral beryl.
mother-of-pearl (n) also known as nacre, is the iridescent interior lining of some mollusc and oyster shells. Mother-of-pearl may also refer to any objects made from the material. Cf. nacre.
