Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Common Gemstones and Fossils

For Teachers 4th
In this science worksheet, 4th graders respond to questions pertaining to gems and fossils. Students answer ten questions which give clues and visual aids to assist in answering.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grow an Alum Crystal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What an exciting lab experiment to conduct with your high school chemistry class! Crystals are formed naturally in the environment. However, allow your blossoming chemists to create their own unique crystals using alum and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature's Polyhedrons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the characteristics of polyhedra. Through hands-on activities and interactive videos, students investigate and retrieve information on polyhedra and crystal structures. Students study angles and symmetry. They...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Minerals of The Earth's Crust

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, students find the vocabulary words related to minerals by unscrambling the letters. They also complete other word puzzles.
Website
Other

Webmineral: Quartz

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is filled with information on the mineral quartz. General information, images, physical properties, and resources are also included.
Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Production of Specific u.s. Gemstones

For Students 9th - 10th
Photos of the principal gemstones produced in the United States, including an introduction to historical and other background information for each one.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Gems and Their Creation

For Students 9th - 10th
A gem is a precious or semiprecious stone that has been cut, polished, engraved, or otherwise altered to be used as a personal insignia for making sealings or as decoration. Often imported from afar, ancient gems were truly exotic, and...
Activity
Other

Rockhound Arkansas: Quartz as Gems

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses different varieties of quartz that are used as gemstones. A general description of each is given, including its historical background and physical makeup. This page is part of an excellent, detailed website about...
Handout
Jewelry Central

Jewelry Central: Gemstones

For Students 9th - 10th
This commercial site contains general information on various synthetic and natural gemstones and provides links to specific gems.
Website
Amethyst Galleries

Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: Amethyst Purple Variety of Quartz

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed description of amethyst, including its physical properties and the more noteworthy locations it is mined.
Website
Other

The image.com: Gem Gallery

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn all about gemstones at this site. Here you can view gem images and read the very detailed descriptions and general information facts pertaining to select gems.
Handout
Other

Icga: Agate, Stripe Up the Bands

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting, brief discussion of the gem and mineral agate, including its physical properties and historical uses.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Amethyst

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides a general overview of the ornamental stone, the amethyst. Content includes a focus on its physical characteristics, history, and role in folklore.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Jasper From Wikipedia

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a concise definition of jasper along with pictures and connections to related sites.
Handout
Other

Icga: Onyx, Black Magic

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives information on onyx's history, mystical background, and physical appearance. Also includes further information and pictures of the gem itself.
Handout
Jewelry Central

Jewelry Central: Onyx

For Students 9th - 10th
This page gives brief, general information on onyx, including its history, physical characteristics, and metaphysical properties. Commercial web site.
Handout
Jewelry Central

Jewelry Central: Agate

For Students 9th - 10th
A commercial site that contains a brief paragraph about agates and photographs of some varieties.