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Quiz about Like a Queen in her Radiance the Pearl

Like a Queen in her Radiance: the Pearl Quiz

This quiz is about historic natural pearls. Perhaps I'll look at cultured pearls another time.

A multiple-choice quiz by ragiel. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ragiel

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
148,470

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
622

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which 19th century royal personage is credited with popularizing the black pearl? Hint

Napoleon

Princess Alexandra of Wales

Empress Eugenie

Queen Victoria

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Question 2 of 10

2. According to legend, pearls have the power to do all except which of these? Hint

Become more lustrous when worn by a virtuous woman.

Protect the purity of the wearer.

Banish tears and ensure a happy life.

Lose their luster and crumble when the wearer became ill.

3. It is often said that a pearl deteriorates and dies in 100-150 years, yet many historic pearls are much older and remain superbly lustrous. Some reasons this may be observed do NOT include: Hint

Their rarity ensures they are well cared for.

Museums and vaults keep pearls in a silica-gel-lined wrapper to keep them as dry as possible. This prevents fungus damage.

They tend to be very large, so they wear and deteriorate much more slowly than smaller pearls.

Some famous pearls have been described very differently over time, so the identity and true age of a particular pearl may be uncertain.

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Question 4 of 10

4. The famous pearl given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton is called La Pellegrina.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. All of these have been the source of gem-quality natural pearls except Hint

mussel

abalone

conch

barnacle

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Question 6 of 10

6. The finest American freshwater pearls are renowned for brilliant iridescent luster, fine color, and intriguing baroque shapes. Names given some commonly occurring shapes do not include Hint

cat's paw

turtleback

wing

dogtooth

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Question 7 of 10

7. Followers of which religion reject the wearing of cultured pearls? Hint

Judaism

Confucianism

Greek orthodox

Islam

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Question 8 of 10

8. The noted gemologist Dr. George F. Kunz of Tiffany's purchased an American freshwater pearl, which was later known as the Eugenie Pink after it was presented to the empress. In what state was it found? Hint

Mississippi

Tennessee

New Jersey

Arkansas

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Question 9 of 10

9. The Duchess of Windsor, a passionate jewelry lover, possessed a pearl necklace given to her by Queen Mary. It was sold at auction after her death, along with the rest of her fabulous collection, and the proceeds given to AIDS research.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What color is the royal Pearl of the Palatinate? Hint

Black with greenish-bronze highlights

Half black, half white, with a sharp contrast between the two halves.

Fine silvery white

Cream with pink highlights

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which 19th century royal personage is credited with popularizing the black pearl?

Answer: Empress Eugenie

Alexandra was invariably photographed with pearl dog-collar necklace and multiple long ropes, but she loved pastel colors and preferred white pearls. During most of Victoria's long period of mourning, she spurned pearls. Napoleon sported the Regent diamond in the hilt of his sword but is not known to have favored pearls for himself.

2. According to legend, pearls have the power to do all except which of these?

Answer: Banish tears and ensure a happy life.

Pearls were believed to represent the tears of the oyster and to foretell loss and grief. It was said that a bride who wore pearls at her wedding would shed one tear for every pearl. Brides in the old days ignored the advice, as they still do today!

3. It is often said that a pearl deteriorates and dies in 100-150 years, yet many historic pearls are much older and remain superbly lustrous. Some reasons this may be observed do NOT include:

Answer: Museums and vaults keep pearls in a silica-gel-lined wrapper to keep them as dry as possible. This prevents fungus damage.

Excessive dryness in the air is harmful to pearls. Some experts recommend wrapping pearls in a barely-dampened linen cloth if they are to be stored unworn for long periods.

4. The famous pearl given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton is called La Pellegrina.

Answer: False

La Pellegrina is indeed the name of a famous pearl, but the pearl presented by Burton was another, called La Peregrina. Taylor has collected many important jewels, but in recent years has sold some of the most famous to support AIDS research.

5. All of these have been the source of gem-quality natural pearls except

Answer: barnacle

I have been unable to find a report of any pearl generated by a barnacle. Of course, the pearl oyster is the major creator of both natural and cultured pearls. Fine conch pearls are pink with a flame-like play of light over the surface. Abalone pearls have baroque shapes and vivid color effects. They have been used in modern jewelry design with great impact.

6. The finest American freshwater pearls are renowned for brilliant iridescent luster, fine color, and intriguing baroque shapes. Names given some commonly occurring shapes do not include

Answer: cat's paw

Pretty much self-explanatory! These pearl shapes resemble parts of other animals, but are shaped by the river mussel. Snail pearls are less common; these result when actual small snails become trapped inside the mussel. They look like tiny sculptures in pearl!

7. Followers of which religion reject the wearing of cultured pearls?

Answer: Islam

Muslims believe that the pearl is given by God to humanity as a special blessing. Cultured pearls, which formed by human intervention, are not so considered. Muslim nations forbid their import.

Answer: New Jersey

As a result, pearl prospectors overwhelmed the local rivers and eventually destroyed the supply. All four of these states have produced first-rate pearls. The American Pearl Company in Tennessee is now a leading producer of mother-of-pearl spheres used for saltwater pearl culturing. They also sell fine cultured river pearls and natural river pearls.

Answer: True

Many were surprised, as the duchess's interests in life had been thought to be limited to fashion and social status. Queen Mary was fond of her, but shunned her after the abdication of Edward VIII.

10. What color is the royal Pearl of the Palatinate?

Answer: Half black, half white, with a sharp contrast between the two halves.

This unique pearl was illustrated in the book "Crown Jewels of Europe" by Prince Michael of Greece.

Source: Author ragiel

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