By Allison Ryan
There is much more to a diamond than just a pretty and expensive rock used to make pretty and expensive jewelry. They are made out of carbon; in fact they are the second most stable form of carbon, after graphite. Diamonds are ideal for jewelry because they are difficult to scratch; they are the hardest naturally occurring mineral known to man.
A diamond can only be created when carbon molecules are put under high pressure in a high temperature area (although the temperature is comparatively cool, considering where the location is). There are only two places on the entire Earth that meet these conditions: the lithospheric mantle (which is located below stable continental plates), and at the site of a meteor collision.
The diamonds found in impact craters are very small, and are called microdiamonds or nanodiamonds. These diamonds would probably not qualify as GIA diamond rings, due to their size. These tiny diamonds are able to form because a collision from space debris usually results in extreme pressure and temperatures.
Diamonds and graphite alike are known as Allotropes of carbon. An allotrope is a substance created by a certain behavior of a certain chemical element, meaning that the atoms are bonded differently than normal. This is sort of like an isotope, which is an atom of a chemical element that has a different number of neutrons.
These stones may be very rare on earth, but on other planets where conditions are more extreme, they may be quite common. On Neptune, for example, the atmospheric pressure is such that molecules of carbon are forced into the correct formation to make a diamond. It is theorized that there may be small diamond crystals suspended in the atmosphere itself. This atmosphere would be a dream for someone searching for best value diamonds or a cheap engagement ring!
On Earth, diamonds are brought closer to the surface via volcanic activity, but there are some diamonds on Earth that are thought to have been brought here by asteroid impacts. These are not formed from the impacts themselves. Diamonds in space are formed from supernovas and in white dwarf stars, which have cores of crystallized carbon and oxygen. One such stone has been located floating about in space; it has been confirmed as a diamond, and it is 2500 miles wide.
Different colors in diamonds are caused by certain impurities. For example, the most common colors found are yellow and brown, which is caused by nitrogen. A green color is caused by irradiation, while pink and red (as well as some brown) is caused by physical deformation (also known as plastic deformation).
Black diamonds are considered 'carbonado' diamonds; the origin of which is as yet unknown. There are several hypotheses as to how they formed; however as of 2008 none of these were accepted. These are found in South America and Africa but are typically not non conflict diamonds unless they have passed the Kimberley Process Certification.
These stones, when properly cut, exhibit a beautiful sparkling display due to their many facets. Just like with a prism, white light that hits a diamond is refracted, which separates it into the colors that make up the visible spectrum. This is why diamonds in jewelry glitter in many different colors, even though they seem to be clear.
Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in gemology, non conflict diamonds, and the history of rare stones and jewels. For best value diamonds, check out http://www.diamondwave.com/.
Source:www.isnare.com |
