NOVA: Treasures of the Earth

This program explains the formation, chemistry, variations and allure of the most notable gemstones; diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, jade and opals.

History's most important metals and how they advanced civilization.

Drill down to discover the treasures beneath our feet that power our world. Fossil fuels-coal, oil, and natural gas-powered the industrial revolution and allowed us to build a way of life that many cherish today. Personal cars, planes, lights, hot showers-all of these are gifts from our fossil fuels... but they have a dirty dark side in that they are polluting the planet. What is it about these natural resources that has allowed them to fuel our civilization? What secrets are locked in their molecules? Where did that energy come from, and can we find alternative energy resources that come in a cleaner form? The hunt is on for new treasures that might allow us to power our modern way of life without damaging the environment. Join NOVA as we explore the resources that both power and pollute, from modern-day oil prospecting in California, to a mega-city utility company struggling to keep the lights on during hot summer days, to China where an engineer strives to solve one of the greatest obstacles to the success of solar power. Travel the globe to see how our energy treasures are changing-and if they can keep the lights on