Question

The properties of being ____ make a diamond a gemstone.

Answer 1

Transparency and a high refractive index

Answer 2

rare and beautiful

Answer 3

Wait...do you have any answers choice?

Answer 4

The properties of being ____ make a diamond a gemstone.
a.
clear and bright
c.
easy to obtain and beautiful
b.
useful and profitable
d.
colorful and profitable

Answer 5

Diamond as a Gemstone

Diamonds are the world's most popular gemstones. More money is spent on diamonds than on all other gemstones combined. Part of the reason for diamond's popularity is a result of its optical properties - or how it reacts with light. Other factors include fashion, custom and marketing.

Diamond Consumption in the United States

In 2010 consumers in the United States spent about $19 billion on gemstones. Of that amount $18 billion was spent on diamonds and less than $1 billion was spent on colored stones. Diamonds are the most popular gemstones with U.S. consumers by a wide margin.

Diamonds have a very high luster. The high luster is a result of a diamond reflecting a high percentage of the light that strikes its surface. This high luster is what gives diamonds their pleasing "sparkle".

Diamond also has a high dispersion. As white light passes through a diamond this high dispersion causes that light to separate into its component colors. Dispersion is what enables a prism to separate white light into the colors of the spectrum. This property of dispersion is what gives diamonds their colorful "fire".