FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Elementary Minerals Trivia Quiz

Many of the most prized gems and minerals obtain their color from trace minerals and others are composed of metallic compounds. Can you identify the metallic elements in these gems and minerals?

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

Author
drbabe

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
330,995

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
574

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The emerald is a type of beryl. The distinctive green color of the emerald derives from trace amounts of what metallic elements? Hint

chromium and vanadium

aluminum and gold

iron and copper

copper and aluminum

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Turquoise was mentioned in the introduction. Its characteristic blue or green color comes from the combination of a metallic element with aluminum and oxygen. What is this metallic element? Hint

iron

uranium

manganese

copper

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Rubies are a type of corundum. What metallic element combines with oxygen to form this mineral? Hint

iron

aluminum

copper

strontium

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Tsavorite is a variety of garnet that is green. The color comes from trace amounts of vanadium and chromium. Garnet is a silicate containing what two metals? Hint

magnesium and aluminum

iron and copper

copper and aluminum

silver and gold

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Sugilite, also known as luvulite is valued for its striking purple color. It is a very complex silicate that crystallizes in the hexagonal structure. What element is not found in this mineral? Hint

sodium

potassium

aluminum

copper

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Polished hematite is commonly used in magnetic jewelry. What is the metallic element that gives hematite its magnetic properties? Hint

nickel

iron

chromium

manganese

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Malachite has a distinctive green color, which is sometimes banded. It is often found in combination with azurite, a striking sky-blue stone. Both of these minerals are carbonates of what metal? Hint

iron

copper

manganese

aluminum

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Lapis lazuli, also known as simply lapis, is a semi-precious stone that has been mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years. Lazurite, the main component of lapis is a complex silicate. What element is not contained in lazurite? Hint

copper

calcium

sodium

aluminum

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Tiger's eye is a type of mineral that derives from the replacement of crocidalite with quartz. The mineral in crocidalite of which traces remain and that impart the golden color are an oxide of what metallic element? Hint

silver

copper

iron

gold

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Aquamarine is a beryl whose color like the sea is imparted by iron ions. Beryl is a silicate of two metals. What are these metals? Hint

beryllium and aluminum

beryllium and gold

iron and copper

copper and manganese

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The emerald is a type of beryl. The distinctive green color of the emerald derives from trace amounts of what metallic elements?

Answer: chromium and vanadium

The name emerald comes from the Latin esmaralda, derived from the Hebrew izmergad meaning green. The Hooker brooch at the National Museum of Natural History is a 75 square-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds.

2. Turquoise was mentioned in the introduction. Its characteristic blue or green color comes from the combination of a metallic element with aluminum and oxygen. What is this metallic element?

Answer: copper

Fabulous turquoise jewelry has been crafted by the Dine' (Navajo), Zuni, and other Native American groups. Before the current groups of Native Americans living in the Southwest, the Hohokam (disappeared in the fourteenth century) of the Tucson Basin produced ornaments with turquoise mosaic on shells.

3. Rubies are a type of corundum. What metallic element combines with oxygen to form this mineral?

Answer: aluminum

The four precious stones are diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire. The sapphire is also a corundum. The most valuable color of this gem is called pigeon-blood red. The color of the ruby derives from trace amounts of chromium. One of the world's finest collection of ruby gemstones is at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Where would Dorothy be without her ruby slippers?

4. Tsavorite is a variety of garnet that is green. The color comes from trace amounts of vanadium and chromium. Garnet is a silicate containing what two metals?

Answer: magnesium and aluminum

Tsavorite was first discovered in the 1960's in Tanzania. It was named for Tsavo Park.

5. Sugilite, also known as luvulite is valued for its striking purple color. It is a very complex silicate that crystallizes in the hexagonal structure. What element is not found in this mineral?

Answer: copper

Named after Ken-Ichi Sugi from Japan, Wiccans believe that this stone is a "third-eye activator," opening the connection between mind and body.

6. Polished hematite is commonly used in magnetic jewelry. What is the metallic element that gives hematite its magnetic properties?

Answer: iron

Hematite, which has been used as an iron ore polished to a silvery-grey or black. It is only fainlty ferromagnetic and is sometimes red. In fact hematite means blood stone.

Answer: copper

Malachite is found in table tops and personal ornamentation. It is formed when copper ore is oxidized by weathering.

Answer: copper

The most prized lapis has flecks of golden pyrite and is an intense blue. Many copper minerals are blue. In fact, most color in minerals comes from transition metals, which are not present in lazurite.

Answer: iron

In ancient times this stone was used for protection against evil spirits. In modern times, its use is mainly ornamental. The replacement of the original mineral by quartz is the same process that produces petrified wood.

10. Aquamarine is a beryl whose color like the sea is imparted by iron ions. Beryl is a silicate of two metals. What are these metals?

Answer: beryllium and aluminum

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March.

Source: Author drbabe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.