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Adamantine Fire: the Diamond Trivia Quiz

The greatest diamonds are given proper names and gather a history and legends all their own. Meet some of the most celebrated diamonds ever described!

A multiple-choice quiz by ragiel. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
ragiel

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
148,272

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
768

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these classic diamonds differs significantly from the others? Hint

The Hope

The Dresden Green

The Jubilee

The Kohinoor

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Question 2 of 10

2. Major diamond-producing areas which became commercially important in the late 20th century include all but... Hint

Australia

Russia

USA

Canada

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Question 3 of 10

3. The largest pink diamond known to antiquity still resides in the state treasury of Iran. What is its name? Hint

Taj-e-Mat

Darya-i-Noor

Akhbar Shah

Noor-al-Ain

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these diamond cuts is believed to be the oldest? Hint

rose

briolette

triple cut

table

5. This 140+ carat diamond resides among the French state jewels today. It was purchased by the British governor of Madras, India in 1701. He in turn sold it to Charles, Duc d'Orleans in 1717. At that time, it was the largest brilliant-cut diamond in Europe. What is the name it bears today? Hint

Star of India

Sancy

Regent

French (Tavernier) Blue

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Question 6 of 10

6. All commercial diamond mines have had to take elaborate precautions against theft by miners.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the 18th century, diamonds became scarcer as the demand increased and the mines of India were exhausted. In 1725, a rich new source of diamonds was discovered. These stones came from what colony? Hint

Mauretania

Colombia

South Africa

Brazil

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Argyle mine in Australia is most famous for producing what type of diamond? Hint

Golden-brown with a "cat's eye" effect

pale aquamarine blue

All of these

Fancy bright pink

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Question 9 of 10

9. Diamonds mined in Canada have been trademarked by their distributors; this is an indication that... Hint

They are not "blood diamonds" or spoils of human-rights violations.

They are taken from mines that formerly belonged to the British crown.

They have a minimum color rating of F, and clarity grade of VS2 or better.

all of these

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Question 10 of 10

10. According to an old superstition, wearing a diamond on the left arm, in contact with the skin, assured what? Hint

courage in battle

dreams foretelling the future

sexual prowess

a good night's sleep

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these classic diamonds differs significantly from the others?

Answer: The Jubilee

The Jubilee was mined in 1895 in Africa and named in honor of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The others have histories spanning the 13th through 17th centuries and were mined in India. Both the Kohinoor and the Jubilee are white diamonds. The Hope diamond is blue. The Dresden Green is... well, green. Beautiful colored diamonds are found in mines throughout the world.

2. Major diamond-producing areas which became commercially important in the late 20th century include all but...

Answer: USA

Many geologists believe that Alaska may contain commercially important deposits, but none are being developed as of 2003.

3. The largest pink diamond known to antiquity still resides in the state treasury of Iran. What is its name?

Answer: Darya-i-Noor

All of these diamonds are believed to be among those sketched and described by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a traveler and diamond broker who brought back many famous diamonds. His clients included members of the French royal house.

4. Which of these diamond cuts is believed to be the oldest?

Answer: table

The table cut started as an octagonal crystal. Two points would be sliced off and the resulting plane or table would be shaped into an octagon. The edges of the diamond (girdle) are then faceted and beveled. It was intended to be placed over a silver-foil backing and mounted.

Answer: Regent

The duc was acting as Regent for the young Louis XV. During the French Revolution it was stolen, but soon recovered. The Sancy, stolen at the same time, was reportedly returned to the French state in 1828, but that history is uncertain because two diamonds have been given that name. Both Sancys are now in the Louvre.

The French Blue was stolen and smuggled out of the country. It was recut and today is known as the Hope. The Star of India is a famous star sapphire. It is displayed at the Museum of Natural History in New York.

6. All commercial diamond mines have had to take elaborate precautions against theft by miners.

Answer: True

No kidding? I'm shocked and appalled!

Answer: Brazil

The large number of fine stones available resulted in a price drop. Diamond merchants who had relied on Indian stones claimed that the new supply were softer and less brilliant. To counter this campaign, Portuguese merchants shipped their stones to their Indian markets in Goa. There they could be sold as Indian, with no further complaints.

8. The Argyle mine in Australia is most famous for producing what type of diamond?

Answer: Fancy bright pink

Although fine pink diamonds have been mined in many places, this mine is the first to supply large numbers of them. Most are very small, but their exceptional quality makes them extremely desirable. Blue diamonds in small numbers have been mined there, but to diamond lovers the name Argyle is synonymous with the intense pink shades. Catseye effects have never been reported in diamonds.

9. Diamonds mined in Canada have been trademarked by their distributors; this is an indication that...

Answer: They are not "blood diamonds" or spoils of human-rights violations.

Reports of atrocities perpetrated by rebel forces, notably in Sierra Leone, led to the name "blood diamonds." Many purchasers refused to buy diamonds rather than support these groups. Because of uncertainty where a particular African stone might have been found, the entire market suffered. Diamonds remained acceptable, however, if it could be assured that they were mined humanely.

The British crown did not develop a Canadian diamond industry. Color and clarity are important factors in pricing diamonds but are not indicators of origin.

10. According to an old superstition, wearing a diamond on the left arm, in contact with the skin, assured what?

Answer: a good night's sleep

Specifically, it banished nightmares and relieved insomnia. Maybe a good rest would be helpful with all the other problems as well!

Source: Author ragiel

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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