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Guilding the Stones: December Trivia Quiz

The Quiz Makers Guild monthly birthstones series comes to an end. According to the American Gem Society the December birthstone is turquoise. I hope you enjoy this quiz on this beautiful stone.

A multiple-choice quiz by JaneMarple. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
JaneMarple

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
319,775

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
683

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of two minerals. One is copper. Which is the other? Hint

Silver

Magnesium

Aluminium

Zinc

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which area of the world has been the most important source of turquoise? Hint

Iran

India

America

Austria

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Question 3 of 10

3. Turquoise turns a certain colour in Neyshabur, when heated. But what colour? Hint

White

Green

Yellow

Black

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was called "Country of Turquoise" by the native Monitu? Hint

Sinai Peninsula

Rome

Egypt

Italy

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Question 5 of 10

5. What do Bedouin people use to mine for turquoise in Sinai? Hint

Homemade gunpowder

Spades

Their hands

Slaves

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Question 6 of 10

6. Turquoise is found in Sinai in sandstone. But what was it originally overlaid with? Hint

Granite

Malachite

Basalt

Marble

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Question 7 of 10

7. Where is the oldest turquoise mine in America believed to be? Hint

New Mexico

California

Colorado

Nevada

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the Book of Exodus, who was supposed to have worn a "breastplate of judgment"? Hint

God

Aaron

Saint Paul

Moses

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which explorer reportedly found turquoise in present-day Sichuan? Hint

Sir James Cook

Sir Francis Drake

Christopher Columbus

Marco Polo

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Question 10 of 10

10. The mask of Tutankhamen was also inlaid with turquoise. What year did Howard Carter find Tutankhamen's tomb? Hint

1932

1902

1912

1922

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of two minerals. One is copper. Which is the other?

Answer: Aluminium

The colour of turquoises can vary from white to sky blue. They can also be blue-green to a greenish-yellow. The green colour might be the impurities of iron, which sometimes replaces aluminium.

2. Which area of the world has been the most important source of turquoise?

Answer: Iran

Iran used to be called Persia. It has been well known for turquoise for over two thousand years.

3. Turquoise turns a certain colour in Neyshabur, when heated. But what colour?

Answer: Green

This is due to dehydration. Iranian turquoise has been mined and traded for centuries.

4. What was called "Country of Turquoise" by the native Monitu?

Answer: Sinai Peninsula

The Wadi Maghareh is believed to be one of the important turquoise mines together with Serabit el-Khadim. There is a temple near the Wadi Maghareh mine which is dedicated to Hathor.

5. What do Bedouin people use to mine for turquoise in Sinai?

Answer: Homemade gunpowder

The colour of Sinai turquoise is usually greener than the Iranian material. It is usually the most translucent of the turquoises. Miners risk the danger of flash floods in the rainy season.

6. Turquoise is found in Sinai in sandstone. But what was it originally overlaid with?

Answer: Basalt

Copper and iron workings are present in the Sinai area. It is also known as Egyptian turquoise.

7. Where is the oldest turquoise mine in America believed to be?

Answer: New Mexico

All options are well known for their turquoise. High iron levels mean greens and yellows predominate in the turquoise.

8. In the Book of Exodus, who was supposed to have worn a "breastplate of judgment"?

Answer: Aaron

The breastplate was adorned with twelve gemstones, set in gold and arranged in four rows. Each stone had the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Two of these gemstones have been translated to have been turquoise.

9. Which explorer reportedly found turquoise in present-day Sichuan?

Answer: Marco Polo

For over 300 years, China has been a minor source of turquoise. Most of the turquoise from China is exported.

10. The mask of Tutankhamen was also inlaid with turquoise. What year did Howard Carter find Tutankhamen's tomb?

Answer: 1922

Tutankhamen became a King when he was only nine years old. His tomb, found in the Valley of the Kings, was almost completely intact, when it was discovered.

Source: Author JaneMarple

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Related Quizzes

This quiz is part of series Guilding The Stone - a QMG Series:

In 2009, the Quiz Makers Guild produced a monthly series of quizzes inspired by birthstones. Here they are, all neatly arranged together in their proper order!

  1. Guilding the Stone-January Average
  2. Guilding the Stone - March Tough
  3. Guilding the Stone - April Average
  4. Guilding the Stone - May Tough
  5. Guilding the Stone - June Tough
  6. Guilding the Stone: July Tough
  7. Guilding the Stone - August Average
  8. Guilding the Stone: September Average
  9. Guilding the Stone: October Average
  10. Guilding the Stones: November Average
  11. Guilding the Stones: December Average

Referenced Topics

General World People Names Gems and Birthstones Explorers China Blue Green Mexico Israel Guilding the Stone New Mexico White Iran

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