Gemstone (G130) Internet and Handouts Exercise Name

 

 

The purpose of this project is to make you aware of the various types and sources of gemstone data that are

available on the Internet and to become familiar with the handouts. To accomplish this task, I have chosen

several key topics which you will explore using the Internet as the source of information. This project should take you about one hour (maybe longer if you have never used the Internet) and is worth 30 points. It will be due no later than September 20, 2000. Any late papers will be penalized one letter grade per class day. No exceptions will be given!

 

PART 1 - INTERNET

 

  1. Go to à http://www.primenet.com/~rgenis/

You will need to access the "Price Lists" and "How Gems are Graded" to answer the following questions. Note the prices are based on AGL colored stone grading.

    1. What price range would a customer expect to pay for a VVS1 clarity and F color diamond?
    2. Access "How Gems are Graded" and give the appropriate scale for the following:

      3. Medium tone = ?

      Moderately included = ?

      Very good proportions/finish = ?

      c) What price would a ruby cost if it were a 4.5 color and the better quality of the moderately

      included stone?

      2. Go to à http://minerals.usgs.gov/

      Print a map of Burma and highlight the main source area for rubies (refer to the Corundum

      Handout).

      3. Go to à http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/  then click "Commodity"

      Print a description of a gemstone of your choice.

      4. Find and print an address that discusses how gems are cut and polished

      5. Go to à http://www.spiritone.com/~tfish/ore_rock.htm

      Pick a rockhounding site and print a map, the directions, examples of what you will find and

      collecting information.

      6. Go to à http://galaxy.einet.net/images/gems/gems.html

      Look at the Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collection.

      a) What is your opinion of the images?

    3. One image is rubellite. What is rubellite (refer to the "Gemstones of America" handout)?

 

 

 

 

 

7. The Amazon River Basin has a wealth of natural resources. Currently it is being mined for copper,

iron, aluminum, silver, platinum and gold, as well as numerous other precious substances. Gold

mining is extremely detrimental to the Amazon River ecosystems because it heavily involves the

use of mercury, a toxic pollutant.

Use a search engine to find at least two discussions of the use of mercury in the mining of gold

in the Amazon basin. List their addresses on your answer sheet.

 

PART 2 – HANDOUTS

 

  1. BERYL

a) List the different varieties of beryl.

b) What is the coloring agent of the emerald and where does this coloring agent originate?

  1. GARNET

a) List the six species of garnet.

b) What are the three main elements causing color in garnet?

  1. CORUNDUM

a) What is the trade name for the finest color ruby?

b) What do the three rays of the star sapphire symbolize?

11. GEMSTONES OF AMERICA

During the crystal development of tourmaline, which element is used up first?

  1. GEMSTONE ENHANCEMENT

a) What are the four main gemstones that are oiled?

b) What is the name of the bicolor stone that can be produced by heat treating an amethyst?

13. DIAMOND SIMULANTS, SYNTHETIC PROCESSES, AND ASSEMBLED STONES

a) List the two inexpensive synthetic processes? the two expensive synthetic processes?

b) List the seven simulants.