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How Much Do You Know About Precious and Semi-Precious Stones?

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We know from discoveries via archaeological digs that precious and semi-precious stones have been used since ancient times. Archaeologists have uncovered seals, rings, a variety of jewelry pieces, etc.  Bible readers know that stones are mentioned throughout the scriptures, in a figurative sense, or poetical reference, or literal.

Have you ever shopped for a gem to give to someone as a gift?  Were you really confident that you were buying the real thing and not a piece of colored glass?  How much do you know about gemstones, not just their characteristics but their history?

  • Question of

    Which of these gems is described as “harder than any other known substance known to man”?

    • Ruby or Garnet
    • Diamond
    • Emerald
    • Sapphire
  • Question of

    Which organization was the first to direct the world’s attention to the problem of the sale of diamonds to fund armed conflict (which is why they are called “conflict diamonds” or “blood diamonds”)?

    • World Federation of Gemstones
    • Global Witness
    • World Diamond Council
    • International Human Rights Association
  • Question of

    Emeralds were found by archaeologists that dated back 5000 years in which two countries?

    • Egypt and India
    • Greece and Rome
    • Persia and Babylon
    • Mesopotamia and Libya
  • Question of

    Sapphire is from the Greek word “sappheiros” which means “blue stone”. What does the color blue come from?

    • blue corundum
    • traces of cobalt
    • blue dye
    • mix of indigo and volcanic ash
  • Question of

    In the January/February 2010 issue of “Archaeology”, it was reported that a member of a team digging at the Hellenistic port of Tel Dor found a tiny gemstone etched in a portrait of a prominent historical military leader. Name the leader.

    • Julius Caesar
    • Alexander the Great
    • Cyrus the Great
    • Attila the Hun
  • Question of

    Although this quartz gem is very beautiful, many people want to purchase this stone because they believe it has healing properties and can cure a wide a range of ailments.

    • Amethyst
    • Beryl
    • Carbuncle
    • Ligure
  • Question of

    Skilled gemologists say traces of different “impurities” account for the color diversity and varieties of this gem. However, in its pure or natural state, it actually colorless.

    • Beryl
    • Chrysoprasus
    • Sardius
    • Topaz
  • Question of

    Since ancient times, gems have had religious and political importance, have been used for business, and were believed to have magical or healing powers. Which nation is credited with developing the art of making jewelry.

    • Assyria
    • China
    • Egypt
    • Persia

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Written by Cmoneyspinner

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