Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Chalcedony (/ k æ l ˈ s ɛ d ə n i / kal-SED-ə-nee or / ˈ k æ l s ə ˌ d oʊ n i / KAL-sə-doh-nee) [2] is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, composed of very fine intergrowths of quartz and moganite. [3] These are both silica minerals, but they differ in that quartz has a trigonal crystal structure, while moganite is monoclinic.
Chert (/ tʃ ɜːr t /) is a hard, fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz, [1] the mineral form of silicon dioxide (SiO 2). [2] Chert is characteristically of biological origin, but may also occur inorganically as a chemical precipitate or a diagenetic replacement, as in petrified wood.
Cryptocrystalline is a rock texture made up of such minute crystals that its crystalline nature is only vaguely revealed even microscopically [1] in thin section by transmitted polarized light. Among the sedimentary rocks , chert and flint are cryptocrystalline.
Quartz is, therefore, classified structurally as a framework silicate mineral and compositionally as an oxide mineral. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, behind feldspar. [9] Quartz exists in two forms, the normal α-quartz and the high-temperature β-quartz, both of which are chiral. The transformation ...
Amethyst crystals – a purple quartz Apophyllite crystals sitting right beside a cluster of peachy bowtie stilbite Aquamarine variety of beryl with tourmaline on orthoclase Arsenopyrite from Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico Aurichalcite needles spraying out within a protected pocket lined by bladed calcite crystals Austinite from the Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico Ametrine ...
Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, [1] [2] categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Historically, flint was widely used to make stone tools and start fires. Flint occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalks and limestones.
A rough specimen of bloodstone. Heliotropes (from Ancient Greek ἥλιος (hḗlios) 'sun' and τρέπειν (trépein) 'to turn') (also called ematille, Indian bloodstones, or simply bloodstones) are aggregate minerals, and cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz that occurs mostly as jasper or sometimes as chalcedony (translucent).
Other members of the cryptocrystalline silica family include agate, carnelian, and onyx. Unlike many non-transparent silica minerals, it is the color of chrysoprase, rather than any pattern of markings, that makes it desirable. The word chrysoprase comes from the Greek χρυσός chrysos meaning 'gold' and πράσινον prasinon, meaning ...