Question

The use of diamond as a gem in jewellery depends on its: A.
A.Hardness
B.high refractive index
C.high IP value
D.High electronegativity

Answer 1

Hint: The use of diamond as a gem in jewellery is due to its compact and shiny nature which is difficult to make and costly.

Complete step by step answer:
Diamond is one of the best known and most expensive gemstones. They have been used as decorative items from ancient times. The hardness of diamond and its high dispersion of light give the diamond its characteristic best and that makes it useful for industrial applications and desirable jewellery.
Diamonds sparkle due to its total internal reflection occurring when light travels from diamond to air. For total internal reflection to occur, the transmitting material, in this case, which is diamond, must have a much greater refractive index than the medium it is placed in. The measurement of the refractive index of a Diamond is around 2.414 to 2.417. This means that light travels through a diamond 2.414 - 2.417 times faster than it travels through air.
The secret that is rattling inside a diamond is refraction. The refractive index of diamond is pretty high and is also dispersive that means it has a coefficient 0.044. Diamonds are expensive and brilliant due to three things: reflection, refraction and dispersion. Reflection is the light that hits the diamond and is immediately bounced up giving diamond an immediate shine. Due to this fact, Diamond has a shiny nature. The shining nature of a diamond makes it a gem in jewellery.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Most diamonds are brown or yellow in colour. The jewellery industry has favoured colourless diamonds or those that have a colour so subtle that it is difficult to notice.