Gems and Geology

All ages complete 3 requirements

1. Geology is the study of the earth and its life through rocks and minerals.  Draw or view online or a textbook the four layers of the earth.  Layers: Crust, inner core, outer core, and mantle.

2. Familiarize yourself with the names of rocks and minerals.  Complete a word search or puzzle that has represents geology or gemstones.

3. Rocks are used to make many things that we use and live in today. Look around your neighborhood and name 3 things that are constructed from a rock substance or visit a quarry. Examples are brick, sidewalk, tiles, or driveway.

4. Gemstones are primarily used for decorations in jewelry. They can be cut into almost any desired shape or size. They are valued according to their rarity, size, and color. The most familiar gem is the diamond. View gems in books or at museums; OR find out what your monthly birthstone is and what it looks like; OR find out the four "C"'s of purchasing the best diamond.

5. Rocks break down and eventually become soil. Soil can be reused to create beautiful art projects. Create an art project using rocks, stones or soil. Examples are clay, make your own pottery; chalk, design a picture on the sidewalk or paper; peat soil, plant a flower in a neighborhood or your own pot; OR create your own sand art design in a bottle or paper.

6. Mining for silver, gold, and copper started thousands of years ago. Learn more about mining, visit a mine museum or tour, dig for gems or pan for gold.

7. Learn more about rocks and minerals. View at least 4 different rocks or minerals in person, online or through a book.  What are some of their features.  A bag of rocks and minerals is available online.

8. Rock formations called stalactites and stalagmites are formed in caves or caverns. What is a stalactite and stalagmite? View them in a book or visit a cavern or cave that offers tours of these formations.

9.Geologists study rocks and minerals. Learn more about being a geologist or research another career in Geoscience such as a Stratigraphers, lapidarist, jeweler, Mineralogists, Soil scientists, Geochronologists, mining geologists, Petrologists, and Geochemists.

10. Many Museums have displays of rocks, minerals, and precious gems. Visit a local museum, website, or book to view some of these pieces. Some examples are the Hope Diamond at the Natural History Museum in Washington DC; A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan; or California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa, California.

11. Add a twist to your geology discovery and create or purchase editable treats that represent the study of rocks and minerals. Examples are rock candy, dirt cupcakes, rocky road ice cream or cookies, decorated cookies with colored sugar crystals or candy jewelry.

12.  Draw or create a piece of jewelry.  This can be as simple as a bracelet with facet beads with small charms.  For extra: L ook up gems that represent the bead colors.  Example: Yellow could be topaz or pink could be rose quartz.