Chapter 1: A Passion for Chemistry

During my high school years, I took an intriguing course in qualitative chemistry analysis. This hands-on lab class allowed us to experiment with various chemicals, including hydrochloric acid (HCl) and aqua regia, a mixture of one part nitric acid (HNO3) and three parts HCl.

My journey began at Stuyvesant High School in New York City, which was situated near Union Square Park. Admission to this elite public school required passing a rigorous entrance exam, alongside similar tests for other prestigious academic institutions like the Bronx High School of Science and Brooklyn Technical High School.

To maximize my education, I managed to squeeze ten classes into my eight-period schedule by attending Qualitative Analysis during the first period, skipping lunch, and persuading a couple of instructors to allow me to attend their classes alternatively. Looking back, I realize how ambitious, perhaps even reckless, that was.

Despite my clumsiness—often spilling chemicals and breaking glass beakers while wearing my lab apron—I was still a favorite among my teachers for my determination to learn. I often left class smelling like a salad due to my mishaps with chemicals.

One of my experiments involved using nitric acid to dissolve copper pennies into the size of dimes. This clever trick was useful during the days of payphones or vending machines; as long as the size matched, the weight remained the same, allowing me to use my altered currency. However, once I confirmed it worked, I abandoned the idea; I was more interested in exploration than in engaging in criminal activities.

Around Halloween, my classmates and I concocted fake blood using potassium thiocyanate and iron chloride. I also delved into other experiments based on my readings about various materials' properties. For instance, while nitric acid can dissolve silver, it does not affect gold—only aqua regia has that capability, earning it the title "royal water" due to gold's esteemed status among metals.

When it comes to conductivity, silver leads the charge, followed closely by copper and then gold. A simple test to verify if a coin is genuine silver is to place an ice cube on it and observe how quickly the ice melts.

To determine the authenticity of one-ounce coins of gold or silver, you can use a digital scale calibrated to 0.1 grams. While an ounce typically equals 28 grams, precious metals are measured in troy ounces, which equal 31.1 grams.

Gemstones can also be examined at home using a UV light. I was curious about a ruby ring that my mother inherited from her grandmother, so I decided to test it under UV light. The gem emitted a bright purplish glow, confirming its authenticity due to the presence of chromium. Emeralds also contain chromium but can have vanadium as well; however, if a green stone is colored by iron, it is not an emerald but rather green beryl.

As for diamonds, some suggest scratching a mirror as a test. However, this isn't definitive since other stones can scratch too. A better method is to check if the diamond sinks in water, as real diamonds are denser than their imitations. UV lights can also help in testing.

Another fascinating use of metallic substances is in creating fireworks. Strontium produces red flames, potassium yields purple, sodium generates bright orange, and cesium results in pale blue flames. During my freshman year at MIT, I participated in the annual sodium drop, which created an impressive fireworks display in the Charles River. We pooled our resources to acquire a small bar of metallic sodium, which, when dropped into the water, created an exhilarating exothermic reaction.

Years later, I experimented with tiny metal shavings in a heavy glass ashtray, igniting them to produce colorful flames.

However, if you decide to conduct any of these experiments, prioritize safety! I once knew a chemist who had a lab in his basement during high school. Tragically, he lost a hand due to an experiment gone wrong. Let that be a cautionary tale!

Chapter 2: Testing Rubies and Gemstones

In this section, we’ll explore how to verify the authenticity of rubies and gemstones using fun experiments.

The first video demonstrates the differences between real rubies and fake ones, showcasing how rubies fluoresce under UV light.

The second video explores testing Indian rubies and other gemstones to determine if they are dyed, providing valuable insights into gemstone verification.