World Book Trivia Challenge Advanced-11/26-Gemstones

2.

What is a gem cutter called?
- Lapidary
- Cobbler
- Gemologist
Correct Answer

A. Lapidary

Explanation

Lapidaries (gem cutters) cut most gems by grinding away material until the desired shape is reached.

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3.

__________ is NOT a style of a cut gem.
- Cabochon
- Faceted
- Polished
Correct Answer

A. Polished

Explanation

Hardness, transparency, and index of refraction determine the way a gem is cut. There are two main styles of cut gems: (1) faceted gems, which have many tiny polished sides called facets, and (2) cabochons «KAB uh shawnz», which are rounded, polished stones.

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4.

A common basis for synthetic gemstones is a soft glass, otherwise know as _______.
- Glue
- Paste
- Porus
Correct Answer

A. Paste

Explanation

The beauty and rarity of natural gems has caused a constant demand for them. But their costliness has prevented many people from owning them. Thus, synthetic and imitation gems have become the foundation of a major industry. The basis of some inexpensive imitations is a soft glass called paste.

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5.

What is a main ingredient in opal?
- Water
- Aluminium
- Copper
Correct Answer

A. Water

Explanation

Opal consists of water and a mineral called silica, the most common ingredient in sand. Precious opal forms underground when water flows through cracks and spaces in the rocks. The water slowly evaporates, depositing tiny spheres of silica. If the spheres are the right size and in a uniform structure, they diffract (bend) light. Light diffraction within an opal removes some of the colors in light and strengthens others. This bending of light produces the play of color seen in gem-quality opal.

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6.

The custom of wearing a stone to represent your birth month orginated in?
- Europe
- South America
- Asia
Correct Answer

A. Europe

Explanation

The custom of wearing a stone that represented a person's zodiac sign probably originated in Germany or Poland in the 1700's. It quickly became widespread. Through the years, jewelers and gem dealers have added new gemstones, such as tanzanite for December, to the traditional birthstone list.

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7.

What is the streak that goes across a cat's eye gem caused by?
- The chatoyant effect
- The doppler effect
- The cryant effect
Correct Answer

A. The chatoyant effect

Explanation

Cat's-eye is a gem that produces a thin streak of white light across the top of the stone when the gem is cut a certain way. The streak resembles the pupil of a cat's eye. The streak seems to change position as the stone is moved. This change is known as the chatoyant effect and is caused by light reflecting from tiny hollow channels within the stone.

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8.

What is an engraved gem called?
- Carver
- Cameo
- Classy
Correct Answer

A. Carver

Explanation

Cameo is an engraved gem. Most cameos are made of stones or shells that are stratified—that is, they are formed in layers. Artists cut a design into the top layer to produce a beautiful color contrast with the next layer.

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9.

Which company produced the first synthetic diamonds?
- General Electric
- Emerson
- Rolls Royce
Correct Answer

A. General Electric

Explanation

In 1970, the General Electric Company produced the first synthetic diamonds of gem quality and size. Scientists use these diamonds to research new uses for diamonds. For example, researchers have found that adding small amounts of the chemical element boron to synthetic diamonds turns them into semiconductors. Semiconductors are materials with special electrical properties.

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10.

How many characteristics are used to identify a gemstone?
- 4
- 5
- 6
Correct Answer

A. 6

Explanation

Gem minerals are natural materials made into gemstones. To identify such minerals, experts sometimes must use chemical tests or X rays. But gem minerals can usually be identified by such properties as (1) crystal shape, (2) color, (3) index of refraction, (4) cleavage, (5) hardness, and (6) specific gravity.

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World Book Trivia Challenge Advanced-11/26-gemstones

A process for polishing a gemstone with abrasives is called ______.

Quiz Preview

What is a gem cutter called?

__________ is NOT a style of a cut gem.

A common basis for synthetic gemstones is a soft glass, otherwise know as _______.

What is a main ingredient in opal?

The custom of wearing a stone to represent your birth month orginated in?

What is the streak that goes across a cat's eye gem caused by?

What is an engraved gem called?

Which company produced the first synthetic diamonds?

How many characteristics are used to identify a gemstone?