Do gems dissolve in acid?

[ThomasBJJ]

Pardon my ignorance on gems and acid in the real world, but would a black dragon be able to store gems in a vat of acid without said gems dissolving?

If it matters, the gems are rubys and diamonds.

Are there any metals that are immune to acid (sttel, bronze, gold)? Certain kinds of stone? Would clay pottery be able to contain acid?

 

[Crothian]

Depends on the acid. Gems are basically pretty rocks, and some acids will eat through rock, some don't.

 

[Emongnome]

Diamonds (I think) are immune to acids. Other gems I'm not sure about, but, as Crothian said, it is very dependent on the type of acid, as well as the concentration. There are some Fe/Ni alloys immune to sulfuric acid (at certain concentrations and temps), but hydrochloric eats those same alloys for lunch. All in all, D&D is not meant for any details in this area, as a house rule, I would say metals are affected by acids, gems are not. Keep it simple, if possible. Corrosion is a science onto itself, and I don't know of any charts that include gems off the top of my head.

 

[Fade]

Most gems, like glass, are resistant to most acids. Any metal but gold will dissolve very quickly, and gold will dissolve in a mixture of concentrates hydrochloric and nitric acid.

Pottery, if well made in a 'porcelain' fashion and not just earthenware, should work. Glass is resistant to all but hydrofluoric acid, although strong alkali can effect it.

 

[Tarek]

Gems and Acids

It also depends on the kind of gem. Opals (and crysopals, jelly opals, and other hydrated gemstones) would be particularily vulnerable, as would Jade and Amber.

Diamonds, being pure carbon in a tightly bonded octahedral crystalline matrix, are not chemically reactive to most acids.

Tarek

 

[Mahali]

Re: Gems and Acids

Diamonds, being pure carbon in a tightly bonded octahedral crystalline matrix, are not chemically reactive to most acids.

Tarek

True, but they sure look pretty when they burn.

 

[Alchemist]

I like the bit about how diamond is thermodynamically less stable than graphite, so that diamond ring you bought your wife is slowly turning into a pencil. They don't mention that on the "Diamonds are forever" commercials.

Granted, it is a painfully slow process. But still.

 

[Stalker0]

now the big question is... in a billion years what will we use for wedding rings?


But anyway, I would go with most gems are immune to normal acids. Just be consistant with it, I don't think your players will find that beyond belief.

 

[Tyrrell]

Re: Gems and Acids

Diamonds, being pure carbon in a tightly bonded octahedral crystalline matrix, are not chemically reactive to most acids.

Tarek

Nitpick dimonds are isometric not octahedral.

Sorry, I've had too much mineralogy. I can't really control it anymore.

Edit; unless you meant that the carbons are sitting in octahedral sites. I guess in that case you couild describe the "matrix" as octahedral. I just thought matrix = crystal system/ unit cell as a knee jerk reaction.

See I told you that I couldn't control it.

 

[Al]

Although this may be completely wrong, I would assume that if the acid originates from the black dragon it would be hydrochloric. The green dragon's breath weapon is chlorine, and I'm assuming that it is not too different. However, I cannot be sure as the descriptive texts are not detailed enough to give clear indicators (obviously not chemists).

Given that it is hydrochloric, quite a few gems should be able to survive, and the rubies and diamonds will probably be okay. If in doubt, just say that do. Hopefully your players won't know/care any different. If they make sounds otherwise, just don't give them treasure at all. That usually stops the pedantic whingers .