Question 1

Which common gemstone results from biomineralization?
A) diamond
B) garnet
C) pearl
D) sapphire

Accepted Answer

Pearl is the only common gemstone that results from biomineralization, which is the process by which living organisms create minerals. Diamonds, garnets, and sapphires, on the other hand, are all formed through geological processes.

Question 2

What are the ways a mineral can crystallize in nature? List and explain each in some detail.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the ways a mineral can...

Question 3

Diamond is a polymorph of graphite.What is a polymorph,and explain how graphite is different from a diamond.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Diamond is a polymorph of graphite.What is...

Question 4

Gemstones are often found in pegmatites,which are igneous rocks that are
A) exceptionally mafic.
B) extrusive,forming from lava.
C) exceptionally coarse-grained.
D) exceptionally fine-grained.

Accepted Answer

Pegmatites are igneous rocks that have exceptionally coarse-grained texture, often greater than 2.5 centimeters, and are very rich in mineral ores and crystals, including gemstones.

Question 5

The gems sapphire and ruby are two varieties of the mineral corundum (Al₂O₃).Considering the Mohs hardness of corundum,which mineral listed below would be able to scratch the gems sapphire and ruby? A) quartz B) feldspar C) topaz D) diamond

Accepted Answer

Diamond is the hardest mineral on the Mohs Scale with a ranking of 10, while sapphire and ruby have a ranking of 9. Therefore, diamond would be able to scratch sapphire and ruby, while the other options (quartz, feldspar, and topaz) would not be able to scratch them.

Question 6

How are diamonds formed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are diamonds formed?...

Question 7

What type of silicate is the mineral quartz?
A) chain silicate
B) framework silicate
C) sheet silicate
D) ring silicate.

Accepted Answer

Quartz is a framework silicate, which means its basic structure is made up of interconnected SiO4 tetrahedra that create a rigid three-dimensional framework.

Question 8

In silicate minerals,the SiO₄ tetrahedron can be linked together by sharing: A) silicon atoms. B) cations. C) electrons. D) oxygen atoms.

Accepted Answer

The SiO4 tetrahedron can be linked together by sharing oxygen atoms, forming various structures such as chains, sheets, and three-dimensional networks, which are the building blocks of silicate minerals. Cations and electrons are not directly involved in these linkages. Sharing silicon atoms is also possible, but less common.

Question 9

Draw and label the atoms in a silicon-oxygen tetrahedron.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Draw and label the atoms in a...

Question 10

The diamonds we typically see today in engagement rings do not display their natural crystal faces but rather ________,which are made by grinding the gem on a spinning lap.
A) striations
B) facets
C) cleavage planes
D) facades

Accepted Answer

The sentence states that the diamonds we see today in engagement rings are not natural crystal faces, but rather "made by grinding the gem on a spinning lap." This is referring to the process of adding facets to the diamond, which are flat polished surfaces that reflect light and enhance the diamond's sparkle. Therefore, the correct choice is B) facets. A) striations and C) cleavage planes are not commonly associated with cut diamonds, while D) facades is not a technical term used in the diamond industry.

Question 11

What type of silicate is the mineral mica?
A) chain silicate
B) framework silicate
C) sheet silicate
D) ring silicate

Accepted Answer

Mica is a sheet silicate, which means it has a two-dimensional structure in which the tetrahedral silicate units are all oriented in the same direction, resulting in sheets that are weakly bonded together. This structure gives mica its characteristic cleavage and ability to split apart into thin, flexible sheets.

Question 12

What are cleavage and fracture? How are these physical properties similar? How are they different?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are cleavage and fracture? How are...

Question 13

Why are minerals often referred to as "the building blocks of Earth?"

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

Some physical properties are more useful for certain minerals than others.Explain how color alone may fail to identify some minerals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some physical properties are more useful for...

Question 15

Pyrite (FeS₂)is in which mineral class? A) silicates B) carbonates C) oxides D) sulfides

Accepted Answer

Pyrite is a sulfide mineral, consisting of iron and sulfur atoms. It belongs to the sulfide mineral class along with other minerals such as galena (PbS) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2).

Question 16

Which classes do the common minerals quartz and calcite belong to? What are some of the properties that would distinguish quartz from calcite?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which classes do the common minerals quartz...

Question 17

Diamonds are usually found in a rock called
A) graphite.
B) kimberlite.
C) gabbro.
D) diorite.

Accepted Answer

Diamonds are most commonly found in kimberlite rock formations. While they can also be found in other types of rock such as lamproite and eclogite, the majority of commercial diamond mines are located in areas with kimberlite formations.

Question 18

How are minerals classified? List the major classes of minerals and their pertinent anions.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

Based on the definition of a mineral,explain why a diamond created in a laboratory is not considered a mineral.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Calcite (CaCO₃)is in which mineral class? A) silicates B) carbonates C) oxides D) sulfides

Accepted Answer

Calcite belongs to the mineral class of carbonates, which are minerals composed of carbonate ions (CO3) combined with metal ions such as calcium (Ca).

Quiz 3: Patterns in Nature: Minerals

Which common gemstone results from biomineralization?

What are the ways a mineral can crystallize in nature? List and explain each in some detail.

Diamond is a polymorph of graphite.What is a polymorph,and explain how graphite is different from a diamond.

Gemstones are often found in pegmatites,which are igneous rocks that are

The gems sapphire and ruby are two varieties of the mineral corundum (Al₂O₃) .Considering the Mohs hardness of corundum,which mineral listed below would be able to scratch the gems sapphire and ruby?

How are diamonds formed?

What type of silicate is the mineral quartz?

In silicate minerals,the SiO₄ tetrahedron can be linked together by sharing:

Draw and label the atoms in a silicon-oxygen tetrahedron.

The diamonds we typically see today in engagement rings do not display their natural crystal faces but rather ________,which are made by grinding the gem on a spinning lap.

What type of silicate is the mineral mica?

What are cleavage and fracture? How are these physical properties similar? How are they different?

Why are minerals often referred to as "the building blocks of Earth?"

Some physical properties are more useful for certain minerals than others.Explain how color alone may fail to identify some minerals.

Pyrite (FeS₂) is in which mineral class?

Which classes do the common minerals quartz and calcite belong to? What are some of the properties that would distinguish quartz from calcite?

Diamonds are usually found in a rock called

How are minerals classified? List the major classes of minerals and their pertinent anions.

Based on the definition of a mineral,explain why a diamond created in a laboratory is not considered a mineral.

Calcite (CaCO₃) is in which mineral class?

Quiz 3: Patterns in Nature: Minerals

Which common gemstone results from biomineralization?

What are the ways a mineral can crystallize in nature? List and explain each in some detail.

Diamond is a polymorph of graphite.What is a polymorph,and explain how graphite is different from a diamond.

Gemstones are often found in pegmatites,which are igneous rocks that are

The gems sapphire and ruby are two varieties of the mineral corundum (Al2O3) .Considering the Mohs hardness of corundum,which mineral listed below would be able to scratch the gems sapphire and ruby?

How are diamonds formed?

What type of silicate is the mineral quartz?

In silicate minerals,the SiO4 tetrahedron can be linked together by sharing:

Draw and label the atoms in a silicon-oxygen tetrahedron.

The diamonds we typically see today in engagement rings do not display their natural crystal faces but rather ________,which are made by grinding the gem on a spinning lap.

What type of silicate is the mineral mica?

What are cleavage and fracture? How are these physical properties similar? How are they different?

Why are minerals often referred to as "the building blocks of Earth?"

Some physical properties are more useful for certain minerals than others.Explain how color alone may fail to identify some minerals.

Pyrite (FeS2) is in which mineral class?

Which classes do the common minerals quartz and calcite belong to? What are some of the properties that would distinguish quartz from calcite?

Diamonds are usually found in a rock called

How are minerals classified? List the major classes of minerals and their pertinent anions.

Based on the definition of a mineral,explain why a diamond created in a laboratory is not considered a mineral.

Calcite (CaCO3) is in which mineral class?

The gems sapphire and ruby are two varieties of the mineral corundum (Al₂O₃) .Considering the Mohs hardness of corundum,which mineral listed below would be able to scratch the gems sapphire and ruby?

In silicate minerals,the SiO₄ tetrahedron can be linked together by sharing:

Pyrite (FeS₂) is in which mineral class?

Calcite (CaCO₃) is in which mineral class?