Basic Gem info

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristics of a gem?

It is beautiful, durable, and rare (correct)

It is a natural, inorganic substance

It is a rare stone

It has a regular crystal structure

What is the term for a family of gems from several closely related mineral species?

Group (correct)

Mineral

Chemical composition

Crystal structure

What is the purpose of treating gems?

To improve their marketability and availability (correct)

To change their chemical composition

To create a new mineral species

To increase their rarity

What is the most valuable colored stone imported into the US?

Emerald Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a substance that consists of atoms of only one kind?

Chemical element Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for clearly and accurately informing customers about the nature of the goods they buy?

Disclosure Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an unusual optical effect displayed by a gem?

Phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a natural, inorganic substance with a characteristic chemical composition and usually characteristic structure?

Mineral Signup and view all the answers

What can affect the availability and price of a gem?

Changes in the gem's source country Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of giving a gem an appealing name?

To make it easier to sell Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between natural and organic gems?

Natural gems are produced by natural processes, while organic gems are produced by living organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of gem treatments?

To improve the gem's marketability and availability Signup and view all the answers

What is the attitude of most consumers towards gem treatments?

They accept gem treatments if they are ethically disclosed Signup and view all the answers

What is the commonality among gems from the same group?

Same mineral species Signup and view all the answers

What determines the characteristic of a mineral?

Chemical composition and crystal structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of disclosure in gem sales?

To inform customers about the nature of the gem Signup and view all the answers

What influences the price of a gem?

Its source country and market demand Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a gem's internal arrangement of atoms?

Crystal structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a gem that is produced by natural processes without human help?

Natural gem Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of giving a gem a appealing name?

To make it easier to sell Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a substance that consists of atoms of different kinds?

Chemical compound Signup and view all the answers

What subcategory of species,is based on color, transparency, or phenomenon?

Variety Signup and view all the answers

What type of chemical element is made up of silicon and oxygen?

Silicate Signup and view all the answers

An amorphous mineral is lacking what?

A regular crystal structure Signup and view all the answers

What material is composed of masses of mineral crystals of one or more kinds?

Rock Signup and view all the answers

What is the trade term for a the location(s) or area which a gem is found?

Source Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Gems

To be a gem, a mineral must be beautiful, durable, and rare.
Most gems are minerals, mined by independent miners using small-scale mining methods.
An appealing name can increase a gem's marketability.
Treatments improve the marketability and availability of many gems.
Despite extensive treatment, emerald is the number one colored stone by value imported into the US.
Most consumers accept gem treatments if they're ethically disclosed and explained in a positive way.
Changes in a gem's source country can drastically affect its availability and price.

Key Terms

Amorphous: lacking a regular crystal structure.
Group: a family of gems from several closely related mineral species.
Atom: the basic structural unit of all matter.
Inorganic: composed of, or arising from, non-living matter.
Chemical composition: kinds and relative quantities of atoms that make up a material.
Chemical element: a substance that consists of atoms of only one kind.
Crystal structure: regular, repeating internal arrangement of atoms in a material.
Disclosure: clearly and accurately informing customers about the nature of the goods they buy.
Mineral: a natural, inorganic substance with a characteristic chemical composition and usually characteristic structure.
Natural gems: gems produced by natural processes, without human help.
Organic: produced by, or derived from, a living organism.
Phenomenon: an unusual optical effect displayed by a gem.

Key Concepts in Gemology

Most gems are minerals that must be beautiful, durable, and rare to be considered gems.

Gem Treatments and Disclosure

Treatments can improve the marketability and availability of gems.
Many consumers accept gem treatments if they are ethically disclosed and explained in a positive way.

Gem Industry and Market

Changes in a gem's source country can greatly affect its availability and price.
Emerald is the number one colored stone by value imported into the US, despite extensive treatments.

Gemology Terminology

Amorphous: lacking a regular crystal structure.
Group: a family of gems from several closely related mineral species.
Atom: the basic structural unit of all matter.
Inorganic: composed of, or arising from, non-living matter.
Chemical composition: the kinds and relative quantities of atoms that make up a material.
Chemical element: a substance that consists of atoms of only one kind.
Crystal structure: a regular, repeating internal arrangement of atoms in a material.
Disclosure: clearly and accurately informing customers about the nature of the goods they buy.
Mineral: a natural, inorganic substance with a characteristic chemical composition and usually characteristic structure.
Natural gems: gems produced by natural processes, without human help.
Organic: produced by, or derived from, a living organism.
Phenomenon: an unusual optical effect displayed by a gem.