My shopping cart
Your cart is currently empty.
Continue ShoppingGemstone Glossary M
Mabe Pearl – A semi-spherical cultured pearl, Mabe Pearls grow against the inside shell of the mollusk, opposite to the more common pearls. The culturing of these half shaped pearls was only achieved in 1970, and generally takes 2 – 6 years for the pearls to become their desired size.
Malachite – Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral created where moisture is available for chemical precipitation. Growing as several different crystal forms including botryoidal and stalactites, Malachite is varying rich shades of green that create a banded pattern with an opaque or translucent finish. Azurite, a blue mineral with virtually the same chemical as Malachite is often found in conjunction with it.
Mammoth Ivory – Fossil mammoth ivory is believed to be available in abundance, though its location in permafrost and ice make it difficult to search for. Fossil mammoth ivory that is found in Siberia can only be searched for between June and September when the snow is melted as the terrain is too treterous in other months. Perfect for carvings and collectibles, these fossils can be a great focal point in jewelry.
Marcasite – Marcasite is an iron sulfide that is white to yellow in color. Marcasite can oxidize, creating a bright metallic luster from the iridescent tarnish that appears similar to pyrite, though it is more brittle.
Meteorite – Meteorite is a rock or iron fragment that is from a meteoroid or asteroid that has passed through the earth’s atmosphere. Each meteorite fall location has varying attributes.
Moldavite – Moldavite is found in the Czech Republic and is believed to be a glass that was created from a meteorite; categorized as a tektite. Moldavite is green in color and can range between olive to moss and is found in nodules or feathered chunks and is dated at approximately 14 million years old. Many vendors are now offering Moldavite which is actually fake, which most people cannot tell the difference just by looking at it. Geniune Moldavite will not melt at the low temperature as their fake counterparts, however.
Montana Agate – Agate is a form of chalcedony. Montana Agate is mostly found in Yellowstone Park in Montana and Wyoming. Its translucent coloration ranges from bands and spots of white, yellow, orange, brown and black. Montana Agate was created by cavities left from flowing lava filling in by liquefied silica.
Mookaite – Mookaite is a Jasper coming from Australia, in an area near the Mooka Creek. This colorful Jasper displays waves of burgundy, mustard, cream and brown. Mookaite occurs on the fossils of radiolarians, a biogenic marine rock.
Moon Amethyst – Moon amethyst is a variety of amethyst that, when heated, displays girasol (an opal reflect).
Moon Quartz/Girasol – Moon quartz is a variety of quartz that, when heated, displays girasol (an opal reflect).
Moonstone – Moonstone is an othoclase feldpar that is transparent to opaque. Moonstone can occur as blue, greay, champagne, peach and even mocha hues and has a pale blue to white sheen known as “adularescence”.
Morganite – A pink beryl, opposite to its pastel blue beryl aquamarine counterpart. Its color ranges from a translucent pink to a rich peach. Not many natural pink gemstones exist; Morganite is one of the most intriguing with its lush pastel hue. The first findings of Morganite occurred in Madagascar and California, near San Diego, and its name was actually based after JP Morgan, an avid collector of minerals.
Moss Agate – Moss agate is a chalcedony with green inclusions of manganese, oxide or iron that resemble moss. Moss agate is generally formed from weathered volcanic rocks.
Mother of Pearl – Mother of pearl, also known as nacre, is an iridescent material than grows as the innermost layer of a mollusk shell. Mother of pearl can occur in a variety of mollusks, each displaying their own color such as white, grey, silver or blue. Possibly the most popular Mother of pearl is the abalone as it displays vivid patterns of green, purple and silvery tones.
Muscovite – Muscovite, or Mica, is a silicate mineral that can be white, grey, silver or golden in hue, even violet or red, though rare. This unique stone is used in windows, insulation and even as a lubricant. Starborn uses mostly a light golden or pearly lavender Muscovite in our designs, as well a warm yellow toned Muscovite Drusy.
Mystic Topaz – A Topaz, which is naturally colorless, that has been treated to reflect a rainbow of colors is known as Mystic Topaz.