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Cold as Ice: Diamonds II Trivia Quiz

A glance at my bookshelf shows that diamonds have at least as fascinating a place in history as they do in lore and legend. Here's just the facts...

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

Author
ragiel

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
161,711

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
928

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The "Big Five" diamond mines of South Africa were so called because of their quality stones and high productivity. They included all of the following except: Hint

De Beers

Dutoitspan

Bultfontein

Jaegersfontein

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Question 2 of 10

2. Type IIb diamonds have an unusual property. This is: Hint

They are found only in alluvial deposits close to rivers.

They are phosphorescent and glow in the dark after exposure to sunlight.

They are semiconductors.

They change color depending on the lighting.

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Question 3 of 10

3. The large octagonal diamond in the ring worn constantly by Elizabeth Taylor is named: Hint

the Taylor Heart

the Taylor-Burton

the Krupp

the Cartier

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following is not a laboratory-produced diamond simulant? Hint

rutile

sapphire

spinel

zircon

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Coromandel diamonds were named for: Hint

Their origin in India

Their origin in Brazil

Cruzo Coromandel, Premier of Argentina in 1789 when the stones were discovered

Madame de Coromandel, mistress of Charles II of England

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Cotton Belt Star diamond was found by a 14-month-old girl. She picked it up in which American state?
Hint

Arkansas

North Carolina

Georgia

Mississippi

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Question 7 of 10

7. "Yehuda" diamonds have been subjected to what patented process? Hint

They are synthesized by a unique process developed in Russia in 1989.

Dark-colored inclusions are vaporized by laser.

Internal cracks are filled in with an epoxy.

A combination of heat and pressure results in a blue or blue-green color.

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Question 8 of 10

8. A golden-yellow cushion-shaped diamond called the Deepdene was sold at Christie's auction in Geneva in 1971. However, it was returned after what was discovered? Hint

It had been stolen from George Matresse, earl of Deepdene, in 1806. His heirs successfully sued to recover it.

It had been artificially colored.

It was not actually a diamond but a large topaz that had been substituted for the original Deepdene.

It had been the property of Lillian Russell at one time.

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which statement regarding "blood diamonds" is false? Hint

Many have been falsely described as Liberian in origin.

They are said to have been purchased by Al-Qaida.

In 2003, forensic gemologists developed a spectroscopic test which may identify some of them.

They are associated with indiscriminate mutilation and murder by insurgents in Sierra Leone.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Arkansas is the only one of the United States to produce diamonds on a commercial scale.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The "Big Five" diamond mines of South Africa were so called because of their quality stones and high productivity. They included all of the following except:

Answer: Jaegersfontein

The other two of the "Big Five" are Kimberley and Wesselton.

2. Type IIb diamonds have an unusual property. This is:

Answer: They are semiconductors.

Type IIb diamonds tend to be blue in color. Yes, the Hope diamond is one of them.

3. The large octagonal diamond in the ring worn constantly by Elizabeth Taylor is named:

Answer: the Krupp

The Taylor-Burton is a 69+ carat pear shape, which Taylor had mounted in a pendant. It was briefly named the Cartier before Burton purchased it. In 1979, she sold it to finance a hospital in Africa. The Taylor Heart is also called the Taj Mahal or the Queen Mumtaz; it is a heart-shaped Indian stone engraved with the name of its previous royal owner.

4. Which of the following is not a laboratory-produced diamond simulant?

Answer: zircon

White sapphire and white spinel have been used as diamond substitutes for many years. Synthetic rutile was sold under a number of trade names in the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, the most popular synthetic has been stabilized zirconium oxide or Cubic Zirconia. Zirconium silicate, or zircon, has not been synthesized as a gemstone.

5. The Coromandel diamonds were named for:

Answer: Their origin in Brazil

The Coromandel mines are located in Minas Gerais province in Brazil.

6. The Cotton Belt Star diamond was found by a 14-month-old girl. She picked it up in which American state?

Answer: Arkansas

She had popped it into her mouth!

7. "Yehuda" diamonds have been subjected to what patented process?

Answer: Internal cracks are filled in with an epoxy.

Although the process greatly improves the appearance of the stone, it can be damaged if not handled properly. It is not legal for a jeweler to sell one without accurately describing the treatment.

8. A golden-yellow cushion-shaped diamond called the Deepdene was sold at Christie's auction in Geneva in 1971. However, it was returned after what was discovered?

Answer: It had been artificially colored.

Since the original stone was naturally colored, the auctioned stone was believed to be a substitution.

9. Which statement regarding "blood diamonds" is false?

Answer: In 2003, forensic gemologists developed a spectroscopic test which may identify some of them.

Since their notoriety derives from the circumstances in which they are found and marketed, gemological testing is not reliable in separating legitimate from terrorist-associated stones. It may someday be possible, however, to exclude diamonds bearing specific inclusions found in other areas.

10. Arkansas is the only one of the United States to produce diamonds on a commercial scale.

Answer: False

Although some excellent stones have been found in Arkansas, no mines productive of enough material to warrant commercial development have been discovered in the USA as of 2003. Crater of Diamonds State Park does produce enough stones to be a popular tourist location where visitors pay a small fee for a chance to find their own valuable diamonds. Many of the visitors have succeeded.

Source: Author ragiel

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