Interesting Mineral Facts

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The mineral phenakite is named after a Greek word that translates to what phrase in English? to confuse to create to deceive to understand

2. What causes the red color in the mineral corundum? radiation metal sulfides nonmetal oxides metal oxides

3. The metal cobalt is named from the German word "Kobalt" or "Kobold" meaning what in English? aliens or extraterrestrials imps or gremlins fire or temperature earth or land

4. What mineral are bones and teeth composed of? chlorite aragonite calcite apatite

5. About what percent of the mined world diamonds are suitable for gem use? 40% 50% 30% 20%

6. What mineral has an index of refraction so close to water that when placed in water it becomes invisible? cryolite sylvite calcite halite

7. All argentite specimens are actually what pseudomorph (alteration of original mineral)? pyrargyrite andalusite acanthite azurite

8. What mineral is derived from an ancient name for brass? malachite aurichalcite hydrozincite azurite

9. What mineral paved the way for the invention of fiber optics? colemanite ulexite howlite bixbyite

10. What was the mineral smithsonite named after? its locality or place it was discovered its hexagonal crystal structure original research on zinc ores founder of the Smithsonian Institution