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Quiz about Elementary Minerals
Quiz about Elementary Minerals

Elementary Minerals Trivia Quiz


Many of the most prized gems and minerals obtain their color from trace minerals and others are composed of metallic compounds. Can you identify the metallic elements in these gems and minerals?

A multiple-choice quiz by drbabe. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
drbabe
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
330,995
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
573
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Question 1 of 10
1. The emerald is a type of beryl. The distinctive green color of the emerald derives from trace amounts of what metallic elements? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Turquoise was mentioned in the introduction. Its characteristic blue or green color comes from the combination of a metallic element with aluminum and oxygen. What is this metallic element? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Rubies are a type of corundum. What metallic element combines with oxygen to form this mineral? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Tsavorite is a variety of garnet that is green. The color comes from trace amounts of vanadium and chromium. Garnet is a silicate containing what two metals? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Sugilite, also known as luvulite is valued for its striking purple color. It is a very complex silicate that crystallizes in the hexagonal structure. What element is not found in this mineral? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Polished hematite is commonly used in magnetic jewelry. What is the metallic element that gives hematite its magnetic properties? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Malachite has a distinctive green color, which is sometimes banded. It is often found in combination with azurite, a striking sky-blue stone. Both of these minerals are carbonates of what metal? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Lapis lazuli, also known as simply lapis, is a semi-precious stone that has been mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years. Lazurite, the main component of lapis is a complex silicate. What element is not contained in lazurite? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Tiger's eye is a type of mineral that derives from the replacement of crocidalite with quartz. The mineral in crocidalite of which traces remain and that impart the golden color are an oxide of what metallic element? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Aquamarine is a beryl whose color like the sea is imparted by iron ions. Beryl is a silicate of two metals. What are these metals? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The emerald is a type of beryl. The distinctive green color of the emerald derives from trace amounts of what metallic elements?

Answer: chromium and vanadium

The name emerald comes from the Latin esmaralda, derived from the Hebrew izmergad meaning green. The Hooker brooch at the National Museum of Natural History is a 75 square-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds.
2. Turquoise was mentioned in the introduction. Its characteristic blue or green color comes from the combination of a metallic element with aluminum and oxygen. What is this metallic element?

Answer: copper

Fabulous turquoise jewelry has been crafted by the Dine' (Navajo), Zuni, and other Native American groups. Before the current groups of Native Americans living in the Southwest, the Hohokam (disappeared in the fourteenth century) of the Tucson Basin produced ornaments with turquoise mosaic on shells.
3. Rubies are a type of corundum. What metallic element combines with oxygen to form this mineral?

Answer: aluminum

The four precious stones are diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire. The sapphire is also a corundum. The most valuable color of this gem is called pigeon-blood red. The color of the ruby derives from trace amounts of chromium. One of the world's finest collection of ruby gemstones is at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Where would Dorothy be without her ruby slippers?
4. Tsavorite is a variety of garnet that is green. The color comes from trace amounts of vanadium and chromium. Garnet is a silicate containing what two metals?

Answer: magnesium and aluminum

Tsavorite was first discovered in the 1960's in Tanzania. It was named for Tsavo Park.
5. Sugilite, also known as luvulite is valued for its striking purple color. It is a very complex silicate that crystallizes in the hexagonal structure. What element is not found in this mineral?

Answer: copper

Named after Ken-Ichi Sugi from Japan, Wiccans believe that this stone is a "third-eye activator," opening the connection between mind and body.
6. Polished hematite is commonly used in magnetic jewelry. What is the metallic element that gives hematite its magnetic properties?

Answer: iron

Hematite, which has been used as an iron ore polished to a silvery-grey or black. It is only fainlty ferromagnetic and is sometimes red. In fact hematite means blood stone.
7. Malachite has a distinctive green color, which is sometimes banded. It is often found in combination with azurite, a striking sky-blue stone. Both of these minerals are carbonates of what metal?

Answer: copper

Malachite is found in table tops and personal ornamentation. It is formed when copper ore is oxidized by weathering.
8. Lapis lazuli, also known as simply lapis, is a semi-precious stone that has been mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years. Lazurite, the main component of lapis is a complex silicate. What element is not contained in lazurite?

Answer: copper

The most prized lapis has flecks of golden pyrite and is an intense blue. Many copper minerals are blue. In fact, most color in minerals comes from transition metals, which are not present in lazurite.
9. Tiger's eye is a type of mineral that derives from the replacement of crocidalite with quartz. The mineral in crocidalite of which traces remain and that impart the golden color are an oxide of what metallic element?

Answer: iron

In ancient times this stone was used for protection against evil spirits. In modern times, its use is mainly ornamental. The replacement of the original mineral by quartz is the same process that produces petrified wood.
10. Aquamarine is a beryl whose color like the sea is imparted by iron ions. Beryl is a silicate of two metals. What are these metals?

Answer: beryllium and aluminum

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March.
Source: Author drbabe

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