Gems Exercise Use the information that can be found in the websites http www tradeshop com gems index html and http socrates berkeley edu eps2 wisc 306c html To answer the following questions 1 What is a gem and what are some specific characteristics of gems that make them different from other minerals 2 What properties of light determine the optimal way to cut a gem and why is the top facet usually designed to be the largest 3 Describe how the critical angle works in gems 4 Explain how fire works in a gemstone what properties of light and the mineral create this effect 5 What properties determine a gem s durability What property can still result in breakage and how might that occur you might have to think research this one 6 Describe 6 things that increase a gems value 7 What are inclusions Describe how they are responsible for star sapphires and cat s eye forms of chrysoberyl minerals 8 Placer deposits are a term which describes economic minerals transported by stream action what effect does that have on the appearance of the mineral as found 9 Where do diamonds from and what rather amazing things have to happen to get them to the surface 10 What percentage of diamonds mined are not gem quality What might some uses of bort or carbonado be and what properties of diamond make it useful for that 11 List and briefly describe what sets the value of diamond gemstones 12 Describe 3 ways to treat a diamond in order to improve it s appearance 13 What is the difference between a diamond stimulant and a synthetic diamond How might you tell them apart from the real thing Also look at the page on gem substitutes at http www tradeshop com gems substit html and discuss different methods to distinguish real from fake gemstones 14 Check out the movies CNTL Click on the Gems Pages sheet to view it about 6 different environments gems are often found Describe the different tectonic settings you might find each in and what about each of these settings provides a unique chemical physical environment for the formation of certain gemstone minerals
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