Answers to Your Diamond Questions

Do you have questions about diamonds? Where do diamonds come from? What makes a diamond so hard? How do they make diamonds in the laboratory?

Contrary to popular belief, diamonds are not rare. Diamonds are composed of a mineral called carbon. Carbon is in nearly everything and is everywhere. The type of carbon that is in diamonds is pure and chemically, it is crystalline in structure and in most diamonds, nearly transparent.

Diamonds have remarkable qualities. Diamonds can have a varied color range, a very high reflective quality and a degree of what is called fire. They have very low reactions to chemicals, are extremely hard and very durable. Diamonds are known by many as the “Top Gem.” Because they glitter, they dazzle women and men alike, and they convey a feeling of pureness and love.

A diamond is probably one of the oldest things on this earth. Some have said diamonds were formed as the earth was being formed. Quite possibly, the diamond on your finger could be over 4 billion years old. Although most of us are not sure just how old the earth is.

A diamond is composed of a single element, carbon. It is the organization of the carbon atoms in the form of a lattice pattern that give a diamond its amazing properties and characteristics. Both diamonds and graphite are composed of pure carbon. However a diamond is the hardest known material and graphite is one of the softest. How is this possible? That is the amazing thing about diamonds. The secret is in the way the atoms form together. The carbon atoms of a diamond are linked in a regular three-dimensional lattice with a crystalline pattern.

Diamond belongs to the ‘isometric’ crystal classification system. Some of the most commonly seen crystal arrangements are octahedron or 8 faces, the cube or 6 faces and the dodecahedron or 12 faces. All of these cuts are very similar, therefore it depends on the person to pick a cut and a style that suits their ideal diamond.

A diamond is the ultimate stone, having few weaknesses and many strengths. It is well known that diamonds are the hardest substances found in

nature, but most people don’t realise just how hard they are. Diamonds are four times harder than the next hardest natural earth mineral, corundum, which category sapphires and rubies fall into.

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s crust. Layers of the element carbon exist here. At around 110 miles below the earth’s surface, high temperatures and even higher pressures exist. Some diamonds form at depths of 217 miles below the surface, but these these diamonds are particularly rare. Mostly because they are so difficult to mine at those depths.

The earths crust is made up of molten rock, metals and other substances and materials. The temperature is very high at this depth, nearly 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. For diamonds to form properly, they need this high temperature and very high pressures. In addition to the naturally occuring carbon elements, there are other elements the get mixed into the diamond. Nitrogen and sulphur can become trapped in the crystal when it is formed in the earth’s crust. These impurities can give beautiful colors to the diamond. One of the most rare colors is pink diamonds.

Natural diamonds are classified by the type and the level of impurities found within them.

• Type Ia diamond – Most natural diamonds are of this type, which contain up to very low levels of nitrogen.

• Type Ib diamond – These are VERY rare in nature, but almost all synthetic or industrial diamonds are of this type. They contain huge concentrations of nitrogen.

• Type IIa diamond – These too are very rare in nature. These diamonds contain very little nitrogen that it can’t be easily detected by the usual methods.

• Type IIb diamond – Extremely rare in nature. These have almost no nitrogen in them. Due to its unique internal structure and powers of light reflection, when cut to proper proportions, these diamonds gather the light within itself and then send it back in a shower of amazing fire and unbelievable brilliance.

The brilliance or life of a polished diamond is usually regarded as the amount of light that is reflected back to the viewer. If the diamond is cut with good proportions then the brilliance will be increased. Luster refers to the surface gloss on a polished diamond. Fire, or the play of colors, can be seen from the crown or top of a polished diamond. As light enters the diamond it is refracted and broken up into the many colors of the visible light spectrum and then, it is reflected back. The resulting rainbow-like color flashes are called fire.