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In which country was diamond first mined?
August 18, 2004 19:02 IST
Diamonds In which country was diamond first mined? De Beers, the diamond cartel continues to maintain its dominant position in the industry by using its numerous worldwide companies to buy up new sources of diamonds and to control distribution of industrial diamonds. Take the Rediff Business Quiz and find out how much you know about the diamond industry.
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1. What are diamonds composed of? a) Silica b) Carbon c) Glass
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is carbon. Diamond is carbon in its most concentrated form. Except for trace impurities like boron and nitrogen, diamond is composed solely of carbon. Extremes of clarity can produce a brilliant magnificent diamond, or a dead, dull, and lifeless stone. Most diamonds are over three billion years old.
Correct! Diamond is carbon in its most concentrated form. Except for trace impurities like boron and nitrogen, diamond is composed solely of carbon. Extremes of clarity can produce a brilliant magnificent diamond, or a dead, dull, and lifeless stone. Most diamonds are over three billion years old.
2. In which country was diamond first mined? a) United States b) India c) South Africa
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is India. Diamond was first mined in India and the earliest known reference to diamond is found in Sanskrit manuscript, the Arthasastra. As a matter of fact, India was the predominant source for over 2,000 years, until the mid-eighteenth century.
Correct! Diamond was first mined in India and the earliest known reference to diamond is found in Sanskrit manuscript, the Arthasastra. As a matter of fact, India was the predominant source for over 2,000 years, until the mid-eighteenth century.
3. Which city first started diamond trading? a) Venice b) London c) Istanbul
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Venice. Diamond trading first started in Venice. By 1499, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India around the Cape of Good Hope and Goa was set up as the Portuguese trading centre. A diamond route was subsequently developed from Goa to Lisbon to Antwerp.
Correct! Diamond trading first started in Venice. By 1499, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India around the Cape of Good Hope and Goa was set up as the Portuguese trading centre. A diamond route was subsequently developed from Goa to Lisbon to Antwerp.
4. 80 per cent of diamonds mined annually are used in: a) Jewelry b) Space shuttles c) Industry
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is industry. Eighty per cent of the diamonds mined annually are used in industry. Being the hardest substance on earth, diamonds are used to cut, grind, and polish most hard substances.
Correct! Eighty per cent of the diamonds mined annually are used in industry. Being the hardest substance on earth, diamonds are used to cut, grind, and polish most hard substances.
5. Which is known as the Diamond City? a) Amsterdam b) New York c) Antwerp
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Antwerp. 70 per cent of the world's diamond trading is done in Antwerp. The diamond trade represents 8 per cent of the total export of Belgium. After Antwerp, New York, Tel Aviv and Mumbai are the most important diamond centres of the world. Near the central station, a half hour's journey from the Brussels airport is the Antwerp Diamond Center, which stretches over one square mile and houses 1500 diamond companies and 4 diamond bourses.
Correct! 70 per cent of the world's diamond trading is done in Antwerp. The diamond trade represents 8 per cent of the total export of Belgium. After Antwerp, New York, Tel Aviv and Mumbai are the most important diamond centres of the world. Near the central station, a half hour's journey from the Brussels airport is the Antwerp Diamond Center, which stretches over one square mile and houses 1500 diamond companies and 4 diamond bourses.