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National Gemstone

4 questions

Question 1Question →

Australia is known for producing the vast majority of the world's supply of a vibrant, multi-coloured precious stone typically found in its dry, inland regions. Which of these was officially recognized as the national gemstone to represent the country's natural heritage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The opal

Answer

The correct answer is the opal, which was officially designated as Australia's national gemstone in 1993.
The opal is officially recognized as the national gemstone of Australia. It was formally proclaimed as such in 19931993. This stone is deeply connected to the Australian landscape, as it is primarily found in the dry interior and Australia is the source of nearly 95%95\% of the world's precious opal supply.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the geographical context
The stone is found in dry, inland regions of Australia.
This helps narrow down the gemstone to those specifically associated with the Australian outback.
2
Recall official national symbols
Australia has several official symbols, including the national colors, floral emblem, and gemstone.
Official symbols are formally proclaimed by the government or Governor-General.
3
Match the gemstone to the official proclamation
The opal was proclaimed in 19931993 as the national gemstone.
The opal is unique to Australia's landscape, with the country producing approximately 95%95\% of the world's supply.

Key Concept

Australia's National Gemstone

Hints

1
Think of a stone famous for its 'play of colour' and for being found in the arid Australian outback.
2
This gemstone was officially proclaimed by the Governor-General in the early 1990s.

Practice More

Review other national symbols such as the national colors (green and gold) and the floral emblem (Golden Wattle).
Estimated Time:45s
Question 2Question →

In 1993, the Governor-General of Australia officially proclaimed a national gemstone to represent the country, acknowledging that Australia produces approximately 95% of the world's precious supply. Which gemstone is officially recognized as the national gemstone of Australia?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The Opal

Answer

The Opal is the official national gemstone of Australia.
The Opal is correct because it was officially proclaimed as the national gemstone of Australia on 27 July 1993. This status honors Australia's unique geological heritage and its role as the source of most of the world's precious opals, including the rare 'Black Opal'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the significance of the year 1993 in Australian symbols.
In 1993, the Governor-General formally designated a national gemstone.
Official proclamations establish the formal symbols used to represent the nation.
2
Consider Australia's global production statistics for precious stones.
Australia produces around 95% of the world's precious opal.
National symbols often reflect unique natural resources that define the country's geography and economy.
3
Distinguish between official symbols and other valuable natural resources.
The Opal is the symbol, whereas the Sapphire and Diamond are resources without that specific status.
Only one stone holds the official title of 'National Gemstone'.

Key Concept

National Gemstone Recognition

Hints

1
The national gemstone was officially proclaimed by the Governor-General in 1993.
2
Australia is famous for the 'Black' variety of this stone, found in Lightning Ridge.
3
Australia produces nearly all of the world's precious supply of this colorful, iridescent stone.

Practice More

Review other national symbols like the Floral Emblem (Golden Wattle) and the National Colors (Green and Gold) to avoid confusion between different types of emblems.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 3Question →

While Australia is home to various precious stones and minerals, the opal was officially proclaimed as the national gemstone in 19931993. Which of the following facts is officially cited to demonstrate why the opal is a uniquely significant and appropriate symbol for the Australian nation?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Australia is responsible for approximately 95%95\% of the world's precious opal production.

Answer

The correct answer is that Australia produces approximately 95%95\% of the world's precious opal.
The correct answer identifies that Australia produces approximately 95%95\% of the world's precious opal. This staggering proportion makes the gemstone a unique natural resource that is globally synonymous with Australia, which was the primary justification for its official proclamation as a national symbol by the Governor-General in 19931993.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the national gemstone of Australia.
The national gemstone is the opal, proclaimed in 19931993.
Establishing the target symbol for the question.
2
Recall the specific global production statistics associated with the Australian opal.
Australia produces about 95%95\% of the world's precious opal supply.
This overwhelming dominance in the global market is the central reason for its selection as a national symbol.
3
Verify if other symbols (like the Coat of Arms or National Colors) have a direct link to the opal.
The Coat of Arms features animals and the floral emblem, and national colors come from the wattle, not the opal.
Eliminating distractors based on common symbol confusion.

Key Concept

The significance of the Opal as a national symbol is tied to Australia's status as the world's leading producer.

Hints

1
Consider the scale of Australia's contribution to the global supply of this gemstone.
2
Think about the percentage of the world's precious opal that comes specifically from Australian mines like Coober Pedy or Lightning Ridge.
3
The official reason for its selection is that nearly all of the world's supply (95%95\%) is found in Australia.

Practice More

Review the origins of other symbols, such as the Golden Wattle, to avoid confusing their meanings with the National Gemstone.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 4Question →

Australia is home to many unique geological treasures and natural resources. Which of the following is officially recognized as Australia's national gemstone?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Opal

Answer

The opal is the official national gemstone of Australia.
The opal is correct because it was officially proclaimed as Australia's national gemstone in 19931993. Australia is world-famous for its high-quality precious opals, which are found in places like Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall the official national symbols of Australia.
Identify that the opal was designated as the national gemstone.
Official symbols are specific items chosen by the government to represent the nation.
2
Confirm the historical context of the proclamation.
The Governor-General officially proclaimed the opal as the national gemstone on 2727 July 19931993.
This status recognizes Australia as the source of approximately 95%95\% of the world's precious opal.

Key Concept

National Symbols of Australia

Hints

1
Think about a colorful gemstone that is unique to the Australian outback.
2
This stone is famous for its 'play of color' and was officially named a national symbol in the 19901990 s.
3
The name of this gemstone starts with the letter 'O'.

Practice More

Review other national symbols such as the floral emblem (Golden Wattle) and national colors (green and gold).
Estimated Time:45s
National Gemstone Practice Questions — Australian Citizenship Test | Examkin