All true gemstones possess beauty, rarity and which other property?

• A. Durability
• B. Weight
• C. Transparency
• D. Flexibility

Answer: (A)

Durability is what lets a gemstone withstand wear and time, which is essential alongside beauty and rarity. A gem may be stunning and rare, but if it readily scratches, chips, or cracks, it won’t hold up in everyday jewelry. Durability combines hardness (scratch resistance) and toughness (resistance to breaking), factors that determine how well a stone performs over years of wear and care. Since jewelry is worn, cleaned, and subjected to impacts, durability is the property that ensures a gemstone remains beautiful in the long run. Weight, transparency, and flexibility vary widely among minerals and do not universally define a true gemstone, so durability best complements beauty and rarity.