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Q. Sparkling of diamond is because of

Delhi UMET/DPMTDelhi UMET/DPMT 2008Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Solution:

The brilliance of diamond is due to total internal reflection of light, $\mu$ for diamond is $2.42^{\circ}$ so that critical angle for diamond-air interface as calculated is $24.4^{\circ}$.
The diamond is cut suitably so that light entering the diamond from any face falls at an angle greater than $24.4^{\circ}$;
suffers multiple total internal reflection at the various faces, and remains with in the diamond. Hence, the diamond sparkles.