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.
padparadscha (n) a name for orange sapphire.
pearl (n) an organic gemstone sometimes formed within oysters when an irritant infects the lining of the oyster's shell. [buy pearl jewellery from Mochishop]
peridot (n) a form of gem-quality olivine. Peridot derives its green colour from its chemical structure rather than from impurities, unlike most other gemstones. As a result, peridot is consistently green. Dark olive peridot is the most valuable shade.
pink beryl (n) see morganite.
pink emerald (n) a term used in the jewellery trade for morganite.
pleocrhroism (n) an optical effect which makes gemstones appear different colours when viewed from different angles. It is caused by double-refraction.
precious (adj, n) a precious stone or metal is that which is highly valuable or desirable. Cf cardinal gemstones. NB. The "preciousness" of a gemstone is not absolute: Amethyst was once considered a precious gemstone until vast deposits were located in Brazil. Since then, Amethyst has been re-classified semi-precious.
