Since we are always working to make a little money, I thought I would take today to throw a little trivia information your way about minerals and metals. Precious metals, of course! I think you will enjoy this...
A diamond will not dissolve in acid. The only thing that can destroy it is intense heat.
A lump of pure gold the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court.
Absolutely pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with the hands.
An ounce of gold can be stretched into a wire 50 miles long.
Colored diamonds are caused by impurities such as nitrogen (yellow), boron (blue). With red diamonds being due to deformities in the structure of the stone, and green ones being the result of irradiation.
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance, and is also one of the most valuable natural substances. Diamonds are crystals formed almost entirely of carbon. Because of its hardness, the diamond is the most enduring of all gemstones. They are among the most costly jewels in the world, partly because they are rare, Only four important diamond fields have been found - in Africa, South America, India, and the Soviet Union.
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.
The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Found in 1905, the original 3,100 carats were cut to make jewels for the British Crown Jewels and the British Royal family's collection.
The largest gold nugget ever found weighed 172 lbs., 13 oz.
The United States government keeps its supply of silver at the US Military Academy at West Point, NY.
The largest hailstone ever recorded was 17.5 inches in diameter - bigger than a basketball.
The most abundant metal in the Earth's crust is aluminum.
The Chinese were using aluminum to make things as early as 300 AD. Western civilization didn't rediscover aluminum until 1827.
The only rock that floats in water is pumice.
The three most common elements in the universe are 1) hydrogen; 2) helium; 3) oxygen.
Well...now that I've filled your head with all this totally useless information, how about some nice fresh coffee? That's almost as good as gold, right?
And I have Fort Knox just down the road from me...Frankfort, KY. Wonder how far all THAT gold would reach? lol
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a shiny day, friend Jim!!!
Cat
Hery Cat...thanks for the visit. I don't know about the gold in Ft. Knox and from what I understand, there has never been a full inventory taken there.
ReplyDeleteI would volunteer, I think!
Hey Jim,
ReplyDeleteYou forgot about us up here in Canada. Our first diamond mine went into production in 1998. There are now four of them producing fine gem- quality stones and more to come. We rank #3 in the world, behind Botswana and Russia. A fifth mine (Debeers) has begun production recently, and many more are on the way.
Have a great day,
danish
Hey Danish...I didn't forget but the data I had gathered for this post didn't have mines like DeBeers and the other mines in Canada mentioned. I became slightly familiar with them in watching the "Ice Road Truckers" and would really like to visit one someday.
ReplyDeleteI understand that they believe the Canadian mines might take over the top spot in diamond production. How cool would that be for Canada...
Thanks for the visit..
almost ..... ? almost as good .....? *cough* ...no ... it has to be better than gold for two simple facts ... we can afford and get as much as we like when we want it, something we often share rather than hoard and hide (if we were so lucky to) ... the rest may be great and valuable but never as valuable as a good coffe with friends .... thats always priceless ... keep smiling
ReplyDeleteHey Missi...thanks for coming by. Good point, girl! What was I thinking? You are right, of course...I appreciate you showing me the errors of my way!
ReplyDeleteGood coffee with friends is always the most important way to start the day...