Rocks and minerals

What gem is more rare than diamonds?

emrald

What's the rarest color of diamond

red

What do diamonds and pencil lead (graphite) have in common? How are the different?

Both are made from carbon. Diamond is hard and brilliant, graphite is soft and dark colored

True or false: Diamonds are the hardest material so they can't break. Explain.

False. If hit at the correct angle, they can break on the plane. (Like wood has grains, as do diamonds)

Why is graphite softer than diamonds? What makes diamonds a stronger mineral?

Graphite formed under less pressure, therefore, the atoms are more spread out (only make three bonds). Diamond formed under greater pressure, so the atoms are more compact (make four bonds).

If diamonds can come out of volcanoes, what type of rock would you find a diamond?

Igneous

What gives gemstones their color?

Impurities of other elements

What makes the Hope diamond so special?

Long history, very large and blue, cursed, displayed in the Smithsonian, unique because of it's color. Boron makes the blue color

Besides their beauty, how else can we use diamonds?

Research Earth's history

What makes jade so strong?

Small, microscopic fibers that go in all directions

What are jadeite and nephrite? Which one has the longer history in Chinese?

Two types of jade. Nephrite has the longer history.

When someone buys a diamond, what might they also be funding unintentionally?

Wars, sales of guns, bad conditions for workers (blood diamonds)

What makes diamonds sparkle?

The way they are cut (facets). They have it mastered mathematically.