Rocks and Minerals by UTH Rocks and Minerals by UTH    

Lesson 15: Gemstones

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the lesson.
• Review the synopsis.
• Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Study the rock and mineral of the week.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Gemstones, also called gems or precious stones, are typically minerals, are of substantial monetary value, and are prized for their beauty and shine. Located at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and worth around $350 million dollars, the Hope Diamond is one of the most famous gemstones in the world.

Vocabulary

Gemstone: A precious stone, usually of substantial monetary value or prized for its beauty or shine, usually made of minerals.
Birthstone: Any of twelve gemstones traditionally associated with the month of one's birth.
Cardinal Gems: A group of highly valued gemstones including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and amethyst.

Rock or Mineral of the Week

• Emeralds are one of the cardinal gems, the others being diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and amethyst.
• Emeralds are valuable green gemstones made of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6).
• The green color of emeralds is due to the trace elements of either chromium (Cr) or vanadium (V).
• The color, cut, clarity, and size determine the monetary value of a emerald.

Physical Characteristics

• Color: Typically green
• Hardness: 7.5-8
• Luster: Vitreous
• Cleavage: Imperfect
• Streak: White
• Tenacity: Brittle

Locations

• Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, and other locations

Interesting Facts

• One of the most famous emeralds is the Chalk Emerald. Originally set in a necklace, the emerald was recut and set in a ring along with 60 diamonds. The ring currently resides at the the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.

• The emerald is the birthstone for those born in May.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

• After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Can You Find It?

Find the following elements on the periodic table:

• Beryllium (Be)
• Silicon (Si)
• Aluminum (Al)
• Oxygen (O)
• Chromium (Cr)
• Vanadium (V)
• In which group and period is vanadium (V)?

Activity 3: Map the Lesson

• Emeralds are found in many countries including Colombia, Brazil, and Zambia.
• Zoom in to find these countries on the map of the world.

Activity 4: Take a Nature Walk

• Embark on a nature walk.
• Collect one rock or mineral specimen.
• Use the gathered specimen to create the field book entry.

Activity 5: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 6 in 'Fifth Grade Science Rocks and Minerals Notebook Pages.'

Review

Question 1

Which of the following is not a cardinal gemstone - diamond, emerald, halite, sapphire, or ruby?

1 / 5

Answer 1

Halite, or common salt, is not a cardinal gemstone.

1 / 5

Question 2

Describe something about emeralds.

2 / 5

Answer 2

Emeralds are valuable green cardinal gemstones and the birthstone for the month of May.

2 / 5

Question 3

Is an emerald (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) a compound?

3 / 5

Answer 3

Yes, an emerald (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) is a compound consisting of multiple types of elements.

3 / 5

Question 4

How many different elements do emeralds (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) contain?

4 / 5

Answer 4

Emeralds (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) contain four main types of elements - Beryllium (Be), Silicon (Si), Aluminum (Al), and Oxygen (O) plus additional trace elements (either chromium (Cr) or vanadium (V)).

4 / 5

Question 5

What gives emeralds their beautiful green color?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Trace amounts of chromium (Cr) or vanadium (V) give emeralds their beautiful green color.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Which of the following is not a cardinal gemstone - diamond, emerald, halite, sapphire, or ruby? Halite, or common salt, is not a cardinal gemstone.
2. Describe something about emeralds. Emeralds are valuable green cardinal gemstones and the birthstone for the month of May.
3. Is an emerald (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) a compound? Yes, an emerald (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) is a compound consisting of multiple types of elements.
4. How many different elements do emeralds (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) contain? Emeralds (Be3Al2(SiO3)6 + Cr/V) contain four main types of elements - Beryllium (Be), Silicon (Si), Aluminum (Al), and Oxygen (O) plus additional trace elements (either chromium (Cr) or vanadium (V)).
5. What gives emeralds their beautiful green color? Trace amounts of chromium (Cr) or vanadium (V) give emeralds their beautiful green color.

References

'Emerald.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald. n.p.

'Chalk Emerald.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalk_Emerald. n.p.

Cited Physical Properties. Geology.com. geology.com/rocks. n.p.