rock crystal
1
4.9
- noun
- /rɑk ˈkrɪstl/
- Specialized
:
cristal de roca
- Other finds, such as a rock crystal bead, spindle whorls, and a type of fine Cypriot pottery used for cosmetics, indicated that the occupants most likely held elite positions.
- rock crystal (quartz)
- rock crystal and gemstones
- rock crystal and diamonds
Examples
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Paintings, music, the periodic table, equations, rock crystals, flower petals, seashells, all are for him objects of amazement.
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His quartz collection had everything from rock crystal and milky quartz to agate, opal, and jasper, and I can't remember what else.
Fiction book (2002) -
I saw that, and it made me pure and clear like rock crystal.
Fiction book (1995) -
Rock crystal.
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Strikingly lit, the vases are made of solid stone amber, jade, rock crystal, agate, and amethyst, and are placed in glass cases throughout the exhibit.
Blog text (13) -
The artist crafted a beautiful sculpture from rock crystal that reflected light in stunning ways.
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Many high-quality optical lenses are made from rock crystal due to its clarity and durability.
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For her jewelry line, she chose to incorporate rock crystal to add elegance and sophistication.
Synonyms
75
6.0
A small piece of quartz used in electronics to control signal frequencies
16
3.7
A hard mineral usually clear or white found in many rocks and sand
1
5.1
A small clear stone cut to make a steady electrical signal for clocks and radios
A clear hard mineral used to make lenses and electronic parts
How Clear
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a transparent, colorless variety of quartz' is directly compositional from 'rock' + 'crystal'—it denotes a type of crystal/rock rather than an idiomatic shift. This noun compound follows regular English noun-modifier patterns and has close parallels in other languages (e.g., French 'cristal de roche'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Rock crystal got its name because the clear stone looks like hard ice; one popular story says people long ago thought the bright, glass-like crystal inside the rock was frozen water. So, rock crystal today means a 'transparent' or 'colorless' quartz often used for jewelry, lenses, and electronic parts.