Question 2 of 21

What are conflict diamonds?

... Conflict diamonds come from regions where the controlling powers fight against the establishment of a legitimate government. The diamonds in these regions often fund the questionable rulers.

Question 3 of 21

Which of these terms is NOT used to describe a gem's transparency (how well light passes through it)?

... "Earthy" can be used when describing a gemstone's luster (its reflection of light).

Question 4 of 21

Which gemstone had the first widespread, commercially available synthetic version?

... In 1902 a French chemist, Auguste Verneuil, first combined aluminum oxide and a colorant to manufacture synthetic rubies.

Question 5 of 21

Which gem has been called, "Emerald by day, ruby by night"?

... Alexandrite appears to change color, depending upon the amount of light. It's bright green in strong light and red or brownish-red in candlelight.

Question 6 of 21

What can be used to destroy a diamond?

... In 1675, Sir Isaac Newton first hypothesized that diamonds could burn. This was proven 19 years later by Italian scientists who incinerated a diamond.

Question 7 of 21

What color of sapphire is most expensive?

... Deep blue sapphire will set you back the most money; black is least expensive.

Question 8 of 21

What is special about topaz?

... Topaz has perfect cleavage. It splits along very distinct planes.

Question 9 of 21

The famous Black Prince's ruby was nearly lost when it was:

... Henry V wore it on his kingly helmet during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. It came close to being demolished by an ax-wielding Frenchman.

Question 10 of 21

Lapis lazuli was used in the 1600s as:

... Lapis lazuli was used in the 17th century to avert miscarriages and treat dementia and epilepsy. Much earlier, it was used by Egyptians during religious ceremonies and by Greeks and Romans to reward heroic deeds.

Question 11 of 21

What is extremely unusual about opal?

... Among gemstones, only opal and amber are not crystallized.

Question 12 of 21

The gemstone demantoid got its name from:

... Demantoid's name derives from the Dutch word for diamond (demant), because it is more fiery than the diamond.

Question 13 of 21

Why did the supposed curse on the famous Hope diamond begin?

... Legend has it that the Hope diamond curse started when the gem was stolen from a Hindu goddess idol.

Question 14 of 21

After the Delong Star ruby was stolen and ransomed, it was recovered in a:

... The famous ruby was found after the ransom drop in a Florida phone booth.

Question 15 of 21

Which toxic substance is serpentine related to?

... Serpentine is connected to asbestos, a carcinogen. Serpentine is not dangerous itself except in its fibrous state.

Question 16 of 21

Jadeite's name derives from:

... The name comes from the Spanish piedra de ijada, the "stone of the side." This refers to the belief that jadeite can heal kidney disorders.

Question 17 of 21

What was the controversy surrounding the Wittelsbach diamond?

... In 2008, it was sold at a Christie's auction for $24.3 million. The diamond, which had once been part of the Bavarian crown jewels, was then recut, reducing it from more than 35 carats to about 31 carats.

Question 18 of 21

Which list is correct for gem hardness, listing from softest to hardest?

... On the hardness scale, the gemstones are rated: serpentine (2.5-4), turquoise (5-6), topaz (8) and ruby (9).

Question 19 of 21

Which gemstone has the greatest color range?

... Tourmaline can be black, pink, red, blue, brown, green, violet, yellow-green or colorless.

Question 20 of 21

Amethyst has often been used for crowns and other royal jewels because of its:

... Amethyst is purple, which is, traditionally, the color of royalty.

Question 21 of 21

Which gemstone was traditionally used to carve cameo broaches?

... Because carving the dark stone reveals white underneath, onyx was used for cameos.

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