Who Says They're Only Semi-Precious? Quiz

Answer: Lapis lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a beautiful deep blue stone with tiny inclusions of pyrites which sparkle like tiny stars. It is one of the oldest gemstones to be worn as jewelry and has been found in many ancient tombs. In the middle ages it was ground down into a powder and made into a substance called "ultramarine" which was one of the finest and most expensive of all blue pigments.

It was used by all the great masters and was frequently used to paint the Madonna. In many of these paintings, while other pigments have faded through time, lapis pigments have retained their radiance and full color.

It is still used today mainly in restoration work, while the finest quality is still used in jewelry.

Answer: Iron

Carnelian is one of the oldest known gemstones. It has been found in many ancient tombs in Europe, Africa, and Asia. For many centuries it was considered to be the property of the noble classes only. It was used for many years to make seals and insignias because hot wax does not stick to carnelian.

It is mentioned in the Bible as being one of the gemstones that appeared on the Breastplate of Aaron. Some of the things attributed to this opaque gemstone are the ability to provide energy, guard against poverty, calm the temper and increase the wearers sense of humor.

The lovely red-orange color found in this stone are due to trace amounts of iron. The more iron in the stone, the darker the red color.

Answer: Iran

Often associated with Native American jewelry making, turquoise has been being mined in Iran (Persia) for over 5,000 years. The name is believed to have come from the fact that most turquoise used in Europe was routed through Turkey even though it was mined in Iran. Iranian turquoise is a rich blue with very little matrix, or area of black.

It is also slightly harder than turquoise mined elsewhere. Many cultures associated turquoise with having mystical properties. It has been variously thought to get rid of negative energy, purify the lungs, and treat depression.

It has been found in ancient jewelry, and buildings throughout much of the world.

Answer: Moonstone

Many ancient cultures have been using moonstone to decorate themselves and their belongings for centuries. The ancient Romans even believed that this love stone was actually solidified moonlight. Moonstone has been associated with love and fertility in many ancient societies and was worn by those seeking their true love.

While usually cut in a cabochon, it takes a skilled gem cutter to release the true beauty of any moonstone, which is often quite unremarkable when uncut.

Answer: Nacre

Nacre is the hard, iridescent substance that forms the interior layer of certain bivalves. The nacre is secreted by epithelial cells to provide protection to the animal's soft tissues. This is the same substance that pearls are made from. While it is secreted by a living creature, nacre is not a living substance.

The beautifully colored mother-of-pearl has been throughout history to make jewelry, hair combs, musical instruments and buttons. Mother-of-pearl is one of Mother Nature's most original and versatile creations.

Answer: Chatoyancy

Tiger's eye is a layered rock consisting of alternate colors of quartz, jasper, and hematite, that result is band of color and light. This effect is known as chatoyancy. One single band of light across a gemstone is usually referred to as a cat's eye. Cutting gemstones into cabochons instead of faceted cuts helps to show of the chatoyancy of a gemstone. Tiger's eye has been used for centuries for decorative objects, such as bowls and figurines, as well as for jewelry of all types.

Answer: False

While most garnets are red, they also come in shades of green, yellow, orange, blue, and purple. There are even varieties that change color depending on the lighting they are exposed to. Ground up garnets were often used in high quality sandpaper in the 19th century, and were a favorite of carpenters of the period. Garnets are thought by some to offer protection against injury or death and were worn by Mediterranean-area soldiers for hundreds of years.

There is even a legend that a garnet carbuncle was attached to the mast of Noah's Ark to provide light during the great flood.

The exact origin of this last legend is a matter of historical debate.

Answer: True

This pretty pink stone is displaying an optical phenomena known as asterism. It can be seen in many different stones, both precious and semi-precious. Most of these stones get their asterism from rutile-type impurities in the stone. The star has six arms, and can be very clear and sharp or somewhat hazy. Often it is the skill of the gem cutter that brings out this phenomena.

This optical effect is only seen in opaque gemstones and depending on the clarity of the star can increase or decrease the price of the stone.

These stones have usually been the property of nobility and were often thought to have magical powers.

Answer: Royalty

Amethyst has been known as a 'royal' stone for centuries due to its beautiful purple color. This lovely gemstone is the most valuable variety of quartz because of its color. Top quality amethyst is a deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes. Throughout history, this stone has been worn or carried with the belief that it guards against drunkenness and addiction.

It was also thought to help migraines, insomnia, and some forms of mental illness. Most amethyst on the market has been heat treated to enhance the purple color and will not fade over time.

Answer: Emerald

The name aquamarine comes from Latin and means "water of the sea". It has been used as a lucky talisman for sailors for centuries. This beautiful stone comes in many shades of blue with slightly green overtones. A truly green beryl is usually full of inclusions and is known as an emerald.

It is associated with calmness, courage, and foresight. Like many gemstones it is often heat treated in order to bring out a stronger blue color.