Alloys are used to add strength or other beneficial properties

An asteroid is a rocky metallic object that orbits the sun

Aventurescence is caused by minute plate-like mineral inclusions

Beryllium a strong lightweight and brittle metal

Birthstones according to modern traditional mystical and ayurvedic charts

Calcium sulphate also known as gypsum or anhydrite

Some of the world's finest rhodochrosite comes from Capillitas

Chakra from the Sanskrit word for 'wheel' or 'turning'

Chatoyance an optical phenomenon seen in certain minerals and gemstones

Chemical elements and compounds a simple explanation

Minerals included in the chlorite group are mostly green

Chromium often abbreviated to chrome

Crystalline describes a naturally occurring solid made up of crystals

Crystal healing an alternative therapy that uses crystals

An example of crystallisation is water freezing to form ice

A crystalline solid is made up of crystals. Crystals are made up of atoms

Culet correctly pronounced 'kyoo-lit'

The Cullinan diamond was initially cut into 3 larges gemstones

Sound advice for cleaning silver jewellery and gemstones

Cleavage the way a mineral breaks along planes of weakness

Dendrites are crystal formations that may look similar to organic matter