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Rock and Mineral Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Click on an underlined word for more information on that subject.
If the rock or mineral term you are looking for is not in the dictionary, please e-mail us and we'll add it.

Click on an underlined word for more information on that subject.

N

nacre
Nacre is a usually whitish crystalline substance which oysters, mussels, snails, and other mollusks secrete around a foreign object (like a tiny stone) that has made its way into their shell. As layers of nacre coat the intruder, a pearl is formed over a period of many years.

neck

A neck (also called a volcanic plug) is solidified lava that fills the conduit of a volcano.

Nepal diamond

Nepal diamond is a huge flawless, pendeloque diamond that probably came from the Golconda mines in India. The Nepal diamond weighs 80 carats. It was originally owned by the Nepalese government but is now owned by Harry Winston, an American jeweler.


nephrite

Nephrite is a semi-precious stone, a variety of jade (sometimes called greenstone). Two different minerals are known as jade, jadeite and nephrite. Nephrite is slightly softer that jadeite and is often veined; it is used in carvings and for making beautiful bowls and vases.
neretic
Pertaining to the shallow waters near the shore over the continental shelf.
nuees ardente
Nuees ardente (also called pyroclastic flow) is very hot gas and ash that explodes from a volcano at high speeds.

Nevada diamond

Nevada diamond is a misleading term for artificially-colored obsidian (a semi-precious stone) - it is not a true diamond.

Nevada topaz

Nevada topaz is a misleading term for obsidian (a semi-precious stone) - it is not a true topaz.

night emerald

Night emerald is a misleading term for peridot (a semi-precious stone) - it is not a true emerald.

Nizam diamond

The Nizam diamond was a huge Indian diamond that may have weighed from 340 to 440 carats uncut. After being cut into an elongated, convex shape with irregular facets, it was 277 carats. This diamond was owned by the Nizams of Hyderabad in the 1830's. This diamond was "lost" or broken up during a battle.

noble metals

The noble metals are gold, platinum, and silver. These are metals that are relatively impervious to chemical action.
North Magnetic Pole
The North Magnetic Pole is the point on the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth toward which a compass' needle always points; at the North Magnetic Pole, a compass' needle will stand vertically. It is now located near in northern Canada (and its location changes over time).
North Pole
The North Pole is the point on the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth that is farthest north. It is 90° north of the equator.

EnchantedLearning.com
Rock and Mineral Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Click on an underlined word for more information on that subject.
If the rock or mineral term you are looking for is not in the dictionary, please e-mail us and we'll add it.

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