Assignment 1 Flashcards
Kinds and relative quantities of atoms that make up material
Chemical composition
Lackin a regular crystal structure
Amorphous
Written description of a material’s chemical makeup
Chemical formula
Any gem material other than diamond
Colored stone
Regular, repeating internal arrangement of atoms in a material
Crystal structure
I gemstone’s ability to withstand wear, heat, and chemicals
Durability
A US government agency that issues guidelines for the jewelry trade
Federal trade commission FTC
The study of gems
Gemology
A broad gem category based on chemical composition and crystal structure
Gem species
A subcategory of species, based on color, transparency, or phenomenon
Gem variety
A family of gem from several closely related mineral species
Group
How well a gemstone resists scratches and abrasion
Hardness
Composed of, or arising from, non-living matter
Inorganic
The appearance of a material’s surface in reflected light
Luster
A natural, inorganic substance with a characteristic chemical composition and usually characteristic structure
Mineral
Gems produced by natural processes, without human help
Natural gems
Once living, or produced by a living organism (plant or animal)
Organic
An usual optical effect displayed by a gem
Phenomenon
How well I gemstone resists the effects of light, heat, and chemicals
Stability
A laboratory creation with essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and properties as its natural counterpart
Synthetic gem
How well a gemstone resists breaking, chipping, and cracking
Toughness
Atoms in a gem that aren’t part of its essential chemical composition
Trace elements
Degree to which a material allows light to pass through it
Transparency
