56.WHAT IS CORAL?
Coral is one of the most curious and fascinating objects in the world! To begin with, red coral has been prized for jewelry since ancient times. But even more interesting is the amount of superstition that has existed concerning coral.
Romans hung pieces of it around their children’s necks to save them from danger. They believed it could prevent or cure diseases. In some parts of Italy, it is still worn to ward off “the evil eye.” And most fascinating of all—coral has actually changed the geography of the world!
55.WHAT IS COPPER?
Man discovered copper before any other metal except gold. Before the dawn of history, it was used by Stone Age men.
Copper is found in a fairly pure state, in lumps and grains of free metal. Probably men first picked up the lumps because they were pretty. Then they made the great discovery that these strange red stones could be beaten into any shape. This was an easier method of making weapons and knives than chipping away at flints.
54.WHAT IS AN INDUSTRIAL DIAMOND?
The only difference between an industrial diamond and any other kind of diamond is that the industrial diamond is of an inferior grade. If it were of perfect quality, beautiful in color and without a flaw, the diamond would, of course, be used in jewelry, where it brings higher prices.
It may seem astonishing to you that something as precious as a diamond is used in industry at all, but the diamond has been called the “emperor of industry!”
