Birthstone Pamphlet or Brochure Project

Task: You are a jewelry store owner who is having a tough time in this economy. If you don’t make a certain amount of sales this month it will be hard to pay the rent on your store and you will probably go out of business. To save your store, you looked toward your favorite stone for good luck. This stone has never failed you, ever, and gosh darn it, it won’t start now! This stone is your birthstone. You decide on a new marketing technique to save your store. This marketing technique is focused around your birthstone.

Marketing technique: You decided to create an attractive pamphlet or brochure about your birthstone.

What should your pamphlet or brochure include?

1. Identify your birthstone

2. Does your birthstone have a special meaning?

3. Is there a history behind your birthstone?

4. Does your birthstone have any mystical or mythical properties? (ex. Will it bring you strength, immortality, love, etc…)

5. How does the stone form?

6. What is the stone’s chemical composition?

7. Where is it most commonly found?

8. Is your birthstone a mineral? If so, what are its common properties? (streak, luster, hardness, etc)

9. If it is not a mineral, can you explain why?

Samson’s Shoppe ©

Below is a list of birthstones according to the months of the year.

January: garnet

February: amethyst

March: aquamarine

April: diamond

May: emerald

June: pearl

July: ruby

August: peridot

September: sapphire

October: opal

November: topaz December: turquoise

Planning Guide:

Part 1: A good website to use is: http://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones 1.

Identify your birthstone: ______

2. Does your birthstone have a special meaning?

http://www.classbrain.com/artteenah/publish/article_44.shtml

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Samson’s Shoppe © ______

3. Is there a history behind your birthstone?

http://www.birthstones.org.uk/history-of-birthstones/index.htm

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Part 2: “Special Powers” A good website to use is: http://www.burkemuseum.org/geology/birthstones

4. Does your birthstone have any mystical or mythical properties? (ex. Will it bring you strength, immortality, love, etc…)

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Part 3: Formation of your stone: A good site to use is: http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/gemstone-formation.php

5. How does the stone form?

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Samson’s Shoppe © ______

6. What is the stone’s chemical composition?

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7. Where is it most commonly found? ______

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Part 4: Properties of your Mineral: http://www.semiprecious.com/physical_chemical_properties.htm

8. Is your birthstone a mineral? If so, what are its common properties? (streak, luster, hardness, etc.)

a. Color: ______

b. Streak: ______

c. Luster: ______

d. Hardness: ______

e. Density: ______

f. Acid Test: ______

g. Fracture and Cleavage: ______

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Samson’s Shoppe ©

If it is not a mineral, can you explain why? (HINT: If it is not, you MUST explain why if you want credit!)

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Samson’s Shoppe © Brochure or Pamphlet Rubric

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Content I answered all nine I answered at least My project consisted I accurately and required questions for seven questions for of five or less answers. the project. the project. extensively answered at least six of the questions for the project.

Accuracy All nine questions were My project consisted answered fully and At least seven of the Only six of the of less than five with accurate scientific questions were questions were scientifically correct knowledge. answered with answered with answers. accurate scientific accurate scientific knowledge. knowledge.

Spelling & No spelling errors Several spelling Proofreading remain after one No more than 1 No more than 3 errors in the person other than the spelling error remains spelling errors remain brochure. typist reads and after one person after one person corrects the other than the typist other than the typist brochure. reads and corrects reads and corrects the brochure. the brochure.

Attractiveness & The brochure has The brochure has The brochure has well- Organization exceptionally attractive attractive formatting organized information. The brochure\'s formatting and well- and well-organized formatting and organized information. information. organization of material are confusing to the reader.

Graphics/Pictures Graphics go well with Graphics go well Graphics go well with the text and there is a Graphics do not go with with the text, but the text, but there are good mix of text and the accompanying text there are so many too few and the graphics. or appear to be that they distract brochure seems \"text- randomly chosen. from the text. heavy\".

Knowledge Gained Student appears to Student can Student can Student can accurately have little knowledge accurately answer accurately answer answer all questions about the facts or most questions most questions related technical processes related to facts in the related to facts in the used in the brochure. to facts in the brochure brochure and to brochure and to and to technical technical processes technical processes processes used to used to create the used to create the create the brochure. brochure. brochure. Total: ______

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