Glossary

Here you'll find explanations of the various terms or abbreviations used on the site. If I've missed any, please let me know.

AKA = also known as

anhedral = without crystal form

botryoidal = a bumpy, knobby surface, like hematite

cab = cabochon

cabochon = a stone ground into a low rounded dome, usually oval, highly polished

CM = Canadian Mineralogist, a journal for professional mineralogists

cm = centimeter, 2.5 cm per inch

Co. = County

ct = carat

Dana = Dana's New Mineralogy, a classic mineralogy book

dist. = district

druse = a layer of tightly-packed small crystals

eh = common Canadian expression, as in "Get me a beer, eh."

euhedral = good crystal form

GPS = Global Positioning System, which uses satellite info to pinpoint your location

GSC = Geological Survey of Canada

LW = long wave ultraviolet radiation, used to study fluorescent minerals

micro = short for microscopic or micromount

micron = one millionth of a meter

mm = micromount, a mineral requiring magnification to appreciate

mm = millimeter, 25 mm per inch

MR = Mineralogical Record, the premier english-language mineral magazine

New Dana = Dana's New Mineralogy, a classic mineralogy book

nr = near

occ. = occurrence

OGS = Ontario Geological Survey

per.com. = personal communication, eg. a letter, phone call, email

polished section = small pieces ground flat and polished to observe sub-microscopic minerals

ps = pseudomorph

pseudo = pseudomorph

pseudomorph = one mineral replacing another whilst retaining the form of the original mineral

R&M = Rocks & Minerals magazine

ROM = Royal Ontario Museum, a fine institution in Toronto, Ontario

SW = short wave ultraviolet radiation, used to study fluorescent minerals

subhedral = poor crystal form

Twp. = Township

UV = ultraviolet radiation, used to study fluorescent minerals

xl = crystal

xln = crystalline