*Minerals

Did you think that the world’s rarest gem is diamond? Then guess again. It’s Painite –only three crystals have ever been found. Here are some more astonishing facts for you.

• A diamond will not dissolve in acid. The only thing that can destroy it is intense heat. An average of 350 tones of ore must be mined and processed t find an uncut diamond large enough to cut a single one carat polished diamond. Of all the diamonds mined, only 20 percent are suitable for jeweler. Because they are so hard, most diamonds are used to make tools such as dental drill and even metal cutters! How incredible, a diamond, a diamond is so hard, it can out even metals!
• Traces of copper give the gemstone turquoise its destructive color. In the Navajo culture, turquoise symbolizes hozoho, a state of harmony, beauty, health and well being.
• Variations in color of pearls are still a mystery, but some experts believe that high water temperature contributes a golden cast to some pearls. It takes about five years for an oyster to produce a medium sized pearl.
• The first known item made from aluminum was rattling made for Napoleon III in the 1850’s. Napoleon also provided his most honored guests with knives and forks made of pure aluminum. At that time, the newly discovered metal was so rare, it was considered more valuable than god.

* Granite and marbles

Black and shining color Granite, marble, sand stone, pumice, slate stone and precious stones are different types of rock. Granite is the hard grey stone used in construction work for foundation and walls of buildings and tall stand stones, in construction of dams etc.

Cool Marble is a white hard stone mainly containing calcium carbonate. It is generally used for sculptures and for big buildings. When it cut and polished, it gives a very smooth surface. Pure marble is white in different color. Some impurities present in the marble appear as a spot or a streak of different color. It is very beautiful and attraction color. . The wonder Taj Mahal is built up of white marble stones.