Q 01/05

Emerald is a green variety of which mineral?

A) Corundum

B) Garnet

C) Beryl

D) Quartz

Answer · why

C) Beryl

The same mineral yields blue, pink and yellow gems when other trace elements are present.

Q 02/05

Trace amounts of which element are most often responsible for an emerald's green colour?

A) Iron

B) Copper

C) Chromium

D) Nickel

Answer · why

C) Chromium

Vanadium can also do the job, and iron shifts the hue toward blue or yellow.

Q 03/05

Emerald is the traditional birthstone for which month?

A) March

B) May

C) October

D) August

Answer · why

B) May

Alchemical lore also claimed the stone counteracted poison and would blind a venomous animal that looked at it.

Q 04/05

Which zodiac sign is emerald traditionally associated with?

A) Leo

B) Taurus

C) Gemini

D) Aries

Answer · why

B) Taurus

Older lore also credited the stone with curing epilepsy and strengthening memory.

Q 05/05

What is the hardness of emerald on the Mohs scale?

A) 7.5 to 8

B) 6 to 6.5

C) 8.5 to 9

D) 5 to 5.5

Answer · why

A) 7.5 to 8

Despite that hardness, most emeralds are so full of inclusions that their toughness is rated poor.