Gemstones - African Jade
Gemstones - African Jade African jade is a trade name for green grossular garnet. The material has also been known as Transvaal jade. Despite its name, it is not true jade. The designation arose because of its green color and somewhat similar appearance.
Gemstones - African Nephrite
Gemstones - African Nephrite African nephrite is another name for Transvaal nephrite. It refers to nephrite jade originating from southern Africa. Nephrite is one of the two minerals recognized as true jade. It has been valued for centuries because of it
Gemstones - “Adelaide Ruby”
Gemstones - “Adelaide Ruby” “Adelaide Ruby” is a trade name historically applied to blood-red pyrope garnet from South Africa. Despite its name, it is not a true ruby. Such trade names were often used to emphasize color similarities between different gem
Gemstones - Adductor Muscle
Gemstones - Adductor Muscle The adductor muscle is a structure found in bivalve molluscs. Its function is to close the shell by pulling the two valves together. This muscle plays an essential role in the survival of the animal. It provides protection fro
Gemstones - Adamite
Gemstones - Adamite Adamite is a manufacturer’s trade name for artificial corundum used as an abrasive. It should not be confused with the mineral adamite recognized by mineralogists. The commercial product was developed for industrial applications. Its
Gemstones - Adamantine Spar
Gemstones - Adamantine Spar Adamantine spar is a historical name applied to certain varieties of corundum. It was originally used for silky brown corundum displaying a distinctive appearance. Some specimens resembled what later became known as seal sapph
Gemstones - Adamantine
Gemstones - Adamantine Adamantine refers to extraordinary hardness or to a particular type of luster. The word originates from the Greek term adamas, meaning unconquerable or invincible. In gemology, it is most commonly associated with the brilliant lust
Gemstones - Acute
Gemstones - Acute Acute is a descriptive term meaning sharply pointed. In gemology and mineralogy, it is often used to describe crystal shapes, angles, or structural features. An acute angle is one that measures less than ninety degrees. Such angles freq
Gemstones - Actinolite
Gemstones - Actinolite Actinolite is a green calcium-magnesium-iron amphibole mineral. It belongs to a group of minerals known for their fibrous and elongated crystal forms. The mineral commonly displays shades ranging from light green to dark green. Its
Gemstones - Acroita
Gemstones - Acroita Acroita is the Spanish name for achroite, the colorless variety of tourmaline. It is a rare and transparent gemstone lacking visible color. The absence of color results from a lack of coloring trace elements. Its appearance is pure, b