Alloys are used to add strength or other beneficial properties

Asteroids rocky and metallic objects that orbit 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

Top tips for cleaning silver and gemstone jewellery

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

Dendrites are crystal formations that may look similar to organic matter

Derbyshire Blue John rare type of fluorite

Duke of Devonshire Emerald one of the largest uncut emeralds

Empathic warrior crystals are stones with a 'not so perfect appearance'

The etheric body is the first layer in the human energy field

Firescale tea stain-like mark that can appear on metals alloyed with copper

Gemmy term used to describe fine grade translucent gemstones