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The Ancient Sky: Sapphire Trivia Quiz

Tales of the sapphire could fill more than one quiz! All folklore and legend cited here can be found in George F. Kunz's book "The Curious Lore of Precious Stones." Other sources list more; I limited myself to one source to keep this quiz's length down!

A multiple-choice quiz by ragiel. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ragiel

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
148,204

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
751

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. According to a medieval Arabic legend, wearing a sapphire would protect its owner from being crushed by a falling roof or collapsing wall.

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. Sapphire, a type of corundum, occurs in most colors but is never red. Why is that? Hint

Red sapphire does form, but it's so impure it crumbles when it's cut or polished.

Aluminum ions in the corundum crystal structure always absorb orange, red and infrared light. They never reflect it.

It's just a convention of jewelers' terminology: if the corundum is red, it's called a ruby.

Chromium would be a necessary component for red sapphire, and corundum crystals never form in chromium-bearing rock.

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Question 3 of 10

3. The gem called "water sapphire" is really a type of this stone. Hint

Cordierite

Tanzanite

Spinel

Topaz

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Question 4 of 10

4. A star sapphire is sometimes called an asteria.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. This stone can match all the colors of sapphire, and even more! Hint

Topaz

Spinel

Beryl

Hiddenite

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Question 6 of 10

6. What rank of Roman Catholic cleric traditionally wears a ring set with a blue sapphire? Hint

Cardinal

Bishop

Pope

Abbot of a large monastery

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Question 7 of 10

7. History describes one type of sapphire with exquisite blue color long considered the finest in the world. This sapphire and its color are named after Hint

A soft "fuzzy" quality reminiscent of a type of rabbit fur.

A soft "fuzzy" quality reminiscent of the undercoat of a rare mountain goat.

A subtle swirling quality that suggests the weave of a Kashmir (or cashmere) shawl.

The territory of Kashmir, between today's India and Pakistan.

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Question 8 of 10

8. Because of the sapphire's rarity, Tiffany's promoted this blue gemstone as an alternative. Hint

Kunzite

Tanzanite

Iolite

Topaz

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Question 9 of 10

9. A Middle Eastern legend states that glimpsing the new moon reflected in a sapphire, a copy of the Koran, or the face of a friend will bring extraordinarily good fortune.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. The sapphire symbolizes true faith and the radiance of heaven in both Eastern and Western belief.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. According to a medieval Arabic legend, wearing a sapphire would protect its owner from being crushed by a falling roof or collapsing wall.

Answer: False

No, the gem in that legend is the carnelian.
The prophet Muhammad always wore an engraved signet of carnelian set in a silver ring.

2. Sapphire, a type of corundum, occurs in most colors but is never red. Why is that?

Answer: It's just a convention of jewelers' terminology: if the corundum is red, it's called a ruby.

Corundum crystal formation is less common in chromium-rich rocks, but when it occurs the red color of the ruby is produced.

3. The gem called "water sapphire" is really a type of this stone.

Answer: Cordierite

Also called iolite and dichroite. The crystal shows different colors depending on how it's oriented. At some angles, a sapphire color appears to be floating on water!

4. A star sapphire is sometimes called an asteria.

Answer: True

Minute crystals of the mineral rutile in the sapphire crystal cause three moving lines of light to intersect on its surface, forming a six-rayed star. Arabic legend says the rays represent faith, hope and destiny. The star is therefore a guide to one's path in life.
The explorer Sir Richard Burton possessed a famous asteria. While exploring the middle east, he won the cooperation of many Arabian chiefs by allowing them to look into it and share the good fortune.

5. This stone can match all the colors of sapphire, and even more!

Answer: Spinel

Spinel's color range, from silver-white to purple, closely mirrors that of sapphire. And more? Spinel also can strongly resemble a ruby. In fact, some famous historical rubies, such as the Black Prince's ruby in the British Imperial crown, are now known to be spinels!
Unfortunately, spinel is too rare to be available for commercial use, and too similar to other gemstones to have a distinctive appearance of its own.

6. What rank of Roman Catholic cleric traditionally wears a ring set with a blue sapphire?

Answer: Cardinal

You might think the cardinal would choose a ruby to match his robes, but this is not typical of today's usage.
Bishops traditionally wear amethyst.
For solemn occasions, the Pope wears the Fisherman's Ring, which is a seal of pure gold. For more ordinary times, he often uses a ring set with a cameo.
No gem is traditionally reserved for the Abbot, so he can choose his own favorite!
In practice, all clerics are free to wear other stones if they prefer, and many wear none at all in daily life.

7. History describes one type of sapphire with exquisite blue color long considered the finest in the world. This sapphire and its color are named after

Answer: The territory of Kashmir, between today's India and Pakistan.

Gems are often named after their mining locations. The Kashmir mines have not been worked since the early 20th century because of continuous warfare. They may have been exhausted.
The Kashmir goat, and its glorious gift the Kashmir shawl, also are associated with this territory. I don't think there is a Kashmir rabbit! Could I have been thinking of the Angora rabbit?

8. Because of the sapphire's rarity, Tiffany's promoted this blue gemstone as an alternative.

Answer: Tanzanite

Named for its origin in Tanzania, this gem is usually heated to bring out its violet-blue color. Prices for fine tanzanites now rival many sapphires. Iolite is also known as water sapphire. Blue topaz became popular in the 1970's; it is a lovely and less expensive alternative to the aquamarine. Kunzite is a gorgeous violet-pink gem, a type of spodumene. Guess who was the first to describe it?

9. A Middle Eastern legend states that glimpsing the new moon reflected in a sapphire, a copy of the Koran, or the face of a friend will bring extraordinarily good fortune.

Answer: False

No. This honor belongs to the turquoise, another universally cherished gem.

10. The sapphire symbolizes true faith and the radiance of heaven in both Eastern and Western belief.

Answer: True

This ancient symbol of the radiant sky speaks to all cultures in all eras.

Source: Author ragiel

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor natsim before going online.
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