Suntan Quartz Crystal Glossary of Terms

Nominal frequency:
The specified center frequency of the crystal.  Unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz).  Quartz crystals are specified in kHz or MHz
 
Operating temperature: 
The minimum and maximum temperatures within which crystal unit operates under specified conditions.
 
Storage temperature:
The minimum and maximum temperatures that the crystal unit can be safely stored.
 
Load capacitance: 
Load capacitance (CL) is the amount of capacitance that the oscillator exhibits when looking into the circuit through the two crystal terminals.  
Load capacitance needs to be specified when the crystal is used in a parallel mode.