CRYPTOCRYSTALLINE

Cryptocrystalline

Cryptocrystalline is a rock texture made up of such minute crystals that its crystalline nature is only vaguely revealed even microscopically in thin section by transmitted polarized light. Among the sedimentary rocks, chert and flint are cryptocrystalline. Carbonado, a form of diamond, is also cryptocrystalline. Volcanic rocks, especially of the acidic type such as felsites and rhyolites, may have a cryptocrystalline groundmass as distinguished from pure obsidian or tachylyte, which are natural rock glasses. Onyx is also a cryptocrystalline.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Cryptocrystalline
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

cryptocrystalline

Noun

  1. A rock of this kind.

Adjective

  1. Whose crystalline nature only becomes apparent at high levels of magnification.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: cryptocrystalline
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

Need help with a clue?
Try your search in the crossword dictionary!