Lumachelle
A geological term for a sedimentary rock composed largely of fossil remains of shellfish or other marine organisms. The name comes from the French diminutive…
Category: Gem or Scam? Library
Moonstone
The name moonstone has been in use since ancient times, derived from its blue silvery luster reminiscent of the reflection of moonlight on water. The…
Madeira ‘citrine’
Commercial name for a heat-treated amethyst (HTA) with a yellow-orange to orange-brown color. The name is derived from a Portuguese wine made in the Madeira…
Magnesium
There are silver magnesium crystals on the market in the form of dendritic or branch clusters, sometimes even sold as being solid silver. Magnesium does…
Magnetic hematite
Designation for a man-made magnetic material. It does NOT contain natural hematite. Real hematite is not magnetic, if at all. Unfortunately, it is widely sold…
Magnifier Quartz™
Unregistered commercial name for clear to cloudy quartz points. Yes, indeed very normal quartz … It is touted to “enhance the effects of just about…
Mahogany obsidian
Commercial name for natural brown-black mottled volcanic glass. Named for its mahogany color. Although obsidian is often referred to as a gem or mineral, it…
Malay/Malaysian jade
Misleading commercial name for dyed chalcedony or quartzite. Has nothing to do with real jade. Malaysian “jade” is mostly encountered in the beads/jewelry trade and…
Malacolla / Malacholla
New unnecessary commercial name for … quite surprisingly … a combination of malachite and chrysocolla. Two secondary copper minerals that occur very frequently together. Robert…
Malachite
Official mineral name for a green, very common secondary copper mineral with a highly variable external appearance. It is usually found as crystalline aggregates or…
