Vast quantities of small, inexpensive diamonds suitable for low-cost, mass-market jewelry are mined in...

Vast quantities of small, inexpensive diamonds suitable for low-cost, mass-market jewelry are mined in...

• A. Canada
• B. Russia
• C. South Africa
• D. Australia

Answer: (D)

This question is about where bulk quantities of small, inexpensive diamonds—the ones used for mass-market jewelry—are mined. Large-volume diamond mining tends to produce many small stones that can be turned into affordable pieces, and Australia has long been a leading source of rough diamonds by volume, with extensive operations in Western Australia that yield a steady stream of these smaller stones. That high-volume output makes Australia the most likely origin for low-cost diamonds among the options. Canada, Russia, and South Africa are important diamond producers as well, but their production is more strongly associated with higher-value gem-quality stones or deposits that don’t match the same volume of small, inexpensive stones available from Australia.

This question is about where bulk quantities of small, inexpensive diamonds—the ones used for mass-market jewelry—are mined. Large-volume diamond mining tends to produce many small stones that can be turned into affordable pieces, and Australia has long been a leading source of rough diamonds by volume, with extensive operations in Western Australia that yield a steady stream of these smaller stones. That high-volume output makes Australia the most likely origin for low-cost diamonds among the options.

Canada, Russia, and South Africa are important diamond producers as well, but their production is more strongly associated with higher-value gem-quality stones or deposits that don’t match the same volume of small, inexpensive stones available from Australia.