Cleavability

/ˌkliːvəˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

The quality or degree to which something can be split or divided, especially along natural planes or lines.

Etymology

From 'cleave' (to split), from Old English 'cleofan,' plus '-ability' suffix meaning capacity or tendency. In geology and mineralogy, cleavability describes how minerals break along crystalline planes.

Kelly Says

Diamonds have amazing cleavability along specific planes in their crystal structure—miners actually use this property to split rough diamonds into gems by striking them at exactly the right angle rather than cutting them with saw blades.

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