The Hope, the Jubilee, and the Excelsior are famous examples of which mineral?

• A. Diamonds
• B. Rubies
• C. Sapphires
• D. Emeralds

Answer: (A)

These names point to famous gemstones that are all diamonds. The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous blue diamonds, and the Jubilee and Excelsior are also renowned for their size and history as spectacular diamonds. Diamonds are a mineral made of carbon with a crystal lattice, prized for extreme hardness and brilliance. They form deep underground under high pressure and are brought to the surface over geological time. The other minerals listed aren’t what these stones are; rubies and sapphires are varieties of corundum, and emeralds are a variety of beryl. The stones named here are diamonds.