💎Rocks are made up of minerals; all minerals are crystals by definition.
🌈Rubies and sapphires are the same mineral, corundum, distinguished by color; emeralds are a variety of beryl.
🌋Obsidian is natural volcanic glass, not a mineral.
🔬Diamonds are cut using other diamonds and graded based on the 4Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
🌐There are over 5,000 known minerals on Earth, with potential for many more.
What's the difference between rocks and minerals?
—Rocks are made up of minerals, which are crystals. Minerals have a specific chemical composition, while rocks can be composed of multiple minerals.
Are synthetic diamonds as durable as natural diamonds?
—Synthetic diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds and are equally durable.
What are the 4Cs in diamond grading?
—The 4Cs in diamond grading are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
How are gems cut?
—Gems are cut using rotating plates covered in diamond powder. Coarser grits are used initially, with finer grits for polishing.
Do we know every mineral in the universe?
—We know over 5,000 minerals on Earth, but there could be many more combinations of elements that form minerals in the universe.
00:07Rocks are made up of minerals; all minerals are crystals by definition.
01:23Rubies and sapphires are the same mineral, corundum; emeralds are a variety of beryl.
07:07Obsidian is natural volcanic glass, not a mineral.
04:10Diamonds are cut using other diamonds and graded based on the 4Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
08:43There are over 5,000 known minerals on Earth, with potential for many more.
