Classic Rock & Mineral Collecting

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Remember polishing agates and hunting for geodes? Test your knowledge of the rock collecting hobby!

1.
What popular device, often received as a birthday gift, tumbled rough stones into smooth, polished gems over several weeks?
A
A gem polisher
B
A rock grinder
C
A stone mill
D
A rock tumbler
2.
What is the hobby of collecting rocks and minerals formally called?
A
Rockhounding
B
Petrology
C
Lapidary
D
Geology
3.
What hollow rock, when cracked or cut open, reveals beautiful crystals inside?
A
A fossil
B
A nodule
C
A concretion
D
A geode
4.
Which banded variety of chalcedony, often found in shades of blue and white, was one of the most popular stones for tumbling?
A
Obsidian
B
Flint
C
Jasper
D
Agate
5.
What scale, ranging from 1 to 10, is used to measure the hardness of minerals?
A
The Beaufort Scale
B
The Richter Scale
C
The Brinell Scale
D
The Mohs Scale
6.
Which common mineral, the hardest on the Mohs scale at 10, is also the most prized gemstone?
A
Emerald
B
Ruby
C
Diamond
D
Sapphire
7.
What glittering mineral, often mistaken for gold, earned the nickname 'Fool's Gold'?
A
Mica
B
Marcasite
C
Pyrite
D
Chalcopyrite
8.
What tool did rock collectors use to break open specimens in the field?
A
A rock hammer (geologist's pick)
B
A chisel only
C
A regular hammer
D
A sledgehammer
9.
What type of purple quartz was a prized find for many rock collectors?
A
Amethyst
B
Smoky quartz
C
Rose quartz
D
Citrine
10.
What annual events, held by rock and mineral clubs, featured displays, sales, and swaps of specimens?
A
Stone fairs
B
Mining expos
C
Gem and mineral shows
D
Rock rallies
11.
What gritty material was used in progressive stages inside a rock tumbler to grind and polish stones?
A
Silicon carbide grit
B
Sandpaper bits
C
Pumice powder
D
Diamond dust only
12.
Which volcanic glass, usually black and shiny, was a fascinating find for young rock collectors?
A
Obsidian
B
Granite
C
Basalt
D
Pumice
13.
What did 'lapidary' specifically refer to in the rock collecting hobby?
A
Studying rock formations
B
The art of cutting, shaping, and polishing stones
C
Cataloging mineral specimens
D
Mining for gemstones
14.
Which soft mineral, number 1 on the Mohs scale, could be scratched with a fingernail?
A
Calcite
B
Feldspar
C
Gypsum
D
Talc
15.
What type of stone, containing the preserved remains of ancient plants or animals, was an exciting discovery for young collectors?
A
A geode
B
A fossil
C
A meteorite
D
A crystal

Answer Key

Question 1

D. A rock tumbler

Question 2

A. Rockhounding

Question 3

D. A geode

Question 4

D. Agate

Question 5

D. The Mohs Scale

Question 6

C. Diamond

Question 7

C. Pyrite

Question 8

A. A rock hammer (geologist's pick)

Question 9

A. Amethyst

Question 10

C. Gem and mineral shows

Question 11

A. Silicon carbide grit

Question 12

A. Obsidian

Question 13

B. The art of cutting, shaping, and polishing stones

Question 14

D. Talc

Question 15

B. A fossil

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