ir·i·des·cent | ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊnt
adjective
A display of lustrous rainbow-like colors
Iridescence refers to a bright display of rainbow-like colors, often changing in the shifting light. It is used to describe a range of different surfaces, from viscous liquids like oil to mother of pearl inlay. It can also be used to describe the color change that one might observe on the surface of certain gemstones, such as opal or labradorite. It is also common in certain types of glass, shells, and mother of pearl. Iridescence in these instances is an intentional design feature for the jewelry and will often be promoted as a benefit of the piece.
