Amazing Adornments Trivia Quiz

Answer: Around the neck

Torcs are made from several strands of metal to form a rigid ring worn around the neck. They are found in many cultures, with examples dating back to the eighth century BC. The ones found at Snettisham, in Norfolk, are of such high quality that it has been suggested they could have belonged to the Iceni, the tribe led by Boudica in a rebellion against the Roman invaders. Other torcs found in the UK include the Sedgeford Torc, uncovered in 1965 and the Newark Torc, found by a metal detector in 2005.

Answer: Majorca

The company which produces these pearls was founded at the end of the XIX century, by a German named Eduard Hugo Heusch, in the town of Manacor in Majorca. They are known as Majorica pearls and are the most prestigious man made pearls in the world. Although the details that make these pearls so special are a trade secret, the general process is well known.

They start off by producing a dense glass bead, these are coated with approximately 30 layers of a ground up paste made of pulverized fish scales and nacre in order to give them that special shine, lastly they are all hand shined and coated with a gas.

Answer: hairpins

Lip plates were traditional for both male and female of many tribes, used for ornamentation or perhaps a status of age and wisdom. The Padaung women in Myanmar wore gold rings around their neck to elongate the neck up to ten or fifteen inches. Hooks have been used to enlarge holes in the body (e.g., ear, cheek) to allow for the insertion of an object, or merely to allow someone to be suspended.

Answer: Arctic

Turquoise can be mined from many spots around the world, and has been prized for centuries by many cultures. In modern times, however, there are many ways to manufacture synthetic turquoise from glass, enamel, ceramics, porcelain, and plastic. The native American Indians are renowned for their silver and turquoise jewelry.

Answer: Wales

The tradition began with the wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon to the Duke of York, later King George VI, in April 1923. Among other Royal brides to continue the tradition were Princess Anne in 1973, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1981 and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. Kate Middleton's ring was also made from Welsh gold when she married Prince William in 2011, as was that of Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding in 1947. The gold was mined in the Clogau St. David's mine in the Dolgellau region of north-west Wales.

Answer: jade

For many years it was believed that these were the suits of legend and did not really exist, but some have since been discovered in 1968, 1973 and 1983. It is now believed that they were common for burial of aristocrats from the Han Dynasty, but that many may have been lost to grave robbers.

Answer: amber

Amber has been used as medicine, in perfumes and to flavor liquor as well as being utilized for jewelry. Many ancient artifacts have been found suspended in amber, such as insects or leaves.

Answer: kanzashi

Ornamental kanzashi can be made of many materials, including lacquered wood, metal, tortoiseshell and silk. A geisha's status can be instantly determined by the manner and location of the kanzashi worn. There was a period when many Japanese wished to appear more Western and these customs were not as evident, but many are now favoring more traditional Japanese adornment.

Answer: Jet

Jet is a form of fossilized wood, and that from Whitby was formed in the Jurassic period, over 180 million years ago. When polished, it has a very dark colour leading to the expression of 'jet black' to describe the darkest shade of blackness. During her long period of mourning the death of her husband, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria would wear only jewellery made from jet. Onyx is a form of chalcedony and obsidian is volcanic glass. Haematite is an iron oxide mineral of various shades, including black.

Answer: blue

Jewellery made from lapis lazuli has been found dating back to the Egyptian and Sumerian eras. The name comes from the Latin word for stone and the Arab word for blue, so translates as the rather more mundane sounding 'blue stone'. Within the stone are small pieces of iron pyrites, which give a gold shimmer to the stones, adding to their beauty. As well as being used in jewellery, the stones can be ground up and it has been claimed that Cleopatra used this as her eyeshadow.