Q 01/05

Ruby is a red variety of which mineral?

A) Corundum

B) Beryl

C) Quartz

D) Spinel

Answer · why

A) Corundum

Every other gem-quality colour of the same mineral is called sapphire, so rubies are sometimes dubbed red sapphires.

Q 02/05

Which element gives a ruby its red colour?

A) Manganese

B) Chromium

C) Copper

D) Iron

Answer · why

B) Chromium

About one percent of the aluminium ions replaced by it is enough to turn the crystal red.

Q 03/05

Ruby is the traditional birthstone for which month?

A) January

B) July

C) May

D) October

Answer · why

B) July

Garnet, January's stone, is usually a deeper, less pink red.

Q 04/05

What is the hardness of ruby on the Mohs scale?

A) 9

B) 6

C) 7

D) 8

Answer · why

A) 9

Among natural gems only diamond and moissanite are harder.

Q 05/05

The word ruby comes from the Latin 'ruber', meaning what?

A) Red

B) Blood

C) Precious

D) Fire

Answer · why

A) Red

It is one of the traditional cardinal gems with amethyst, sapphire, emerald and diamond.