Areas of application of diamonds. Diamond - properties, characteristics of diamonds, what the stone looks like. Distinctive features and beneficial properties of a diamond.
Diamond (from Arabic ألماس, ’almās, Turkish elmas, which goes through Arabic from ancient Greek ἀδάμας - “indestructible”) is a mineral from the class of native elements, one of the allotropic modifications of carbon. Chemical formula: C.
Diamond has the same chemical composition as graphite. But in appearance it differs sharply from him. This difference is explained by the different arrangement of carbon atoms in the crystal lattice: in diamond they are located in a tetrahedral structure and have a strong bond in all directions. Specific gravity 3.48-3.55 g/cm3. Diamond is a stone with an unusual shine, play of colors, and inner fire. The shine of a diamond is strong - diamond-like. Diamond is very hard - “the king of all minerals.”
On the Mohs scale, the hardness is 10. In terms of hardness, it is not inferior to any of the known minerals. Diamond is the “champion of hardness”: it is 1000 times harder than quartz, 150 times harder than corundum. Perhaps that is why the ancient Greeks considered diamond a talisman of power. Diamond is resistant to acids and heat. This is the only mineral that leaves a scratch on corundum. By this feature, it differs from similar minerals - rock crystal, topaz, etc. Diamond is very hard, but at the same time fragile. It splits easily along cleavage planes. The cleavage is perfect on the faces of the octahedron. This property of diamond is used by jewelers when processing it. A new mineral with great hardness has been found, the “brother” of diamond - yakutite.
No precious stone has as many shades as a diamond: colorless, white, blue, green, yellowish, pink, reddish, brownish, smoky gray tones; often transparent.
Diamond is found mostly in the form of individual crystals - octahedra with curved edges, the external shape of which is close to a ball. The crystal sizes are usually small. Crystallizes in cubic system.
Features. The characteristic features of a diamond are a strong diamond splash and high hardness - it leaves a scratch on corundum. If you draw with aluminum metal on the wetted surface of a diamond, the aluminum leaves no traces.
Diamond varieties and photos
- Diamond- an artificially processed diamond with 57 facets. A diamond scatters sunlight like raindrops forming a rainbow, a diamond is the most radiant gemstone.
- Board-irregular fine-grained intergrowths.
- Ballas- spherical diamond, radial-radiant structure.
- Carbonado- black, gray, dense or coarse-grained diamond.
- Yakutit- dark colored diamond, with numerous inclusions and maximum hardness.
Colorless diamond, Catoca, Angola Bort Spherical ballas Black carbonado
Origin of the diamond
Diamond deposits are genetically associated with ultramafic (dunites, peridotites) and mafic (diabase) igneous rocks and with serpentinites, which arose as a result of chemical alteration of ultramafic and mafic rocks. Diamond is formed under conditions of high pressure and high temperature, so its deposits are confined to volcanic explosion craters. Diamond is formed at a pressure of more than 5 MPa and a temperature of about 2000° C.
The formation of diamonds is closely related to tectonic processes. At the same time, a fiery liquid mass, the so-called ultrabasic magma, rose from great depths that arose in the earth’s crust. It is sometimes called kimberlite. As it rose, the kimberlite magma cooled and this led to the separation of dissolved volatile compounds (gases, water vapor). The released water vapor and gases caused strong explosions, as a result of which vertical well-shaped cylindrical holes - kimberlite pipes - appeared in the earth's crust. These tubes were filled with crushed rocks formed during the explosion. Then, kimberlite magma rose through a funnel filled with fragmental material, which occupied the voids between the fragments and cemented them.
The diamonds are believed to have been released mainly in solid form when the kimberlite magma was still buried at depth, and then they were carried by the magma flow into the kimberlite pipes. Diamonds contain only those tubes whose roots reach the diamond-bearing layer. Diamonds are formed at depths of about 200 km.
Finds of diamonds are known not only on platforms (on the plains), but also in mountainous areas: in the Urals, in the Appalachians, the Cascade Mountains, Sierra Nevada, on the island. Kalimantan and other areas.
Diamonds have been found in meteorites. Diamond is also formed during explosions that accompany the fall of huge meteorites (Devil's Canyon meteorite crater, Arizona, USA).
It is found among basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks, among serpentinites (serpentines); also in ancient (conglomerates, sandstones) and young placers.
Satellites. In primary deposits: serpentine, olivine, augite, graphite, magnetite, chromite, ilmenite, talc. In placers: quartz, platinum, gold, magnetite, ilmenite, hematite], topaz, cassiterite, corundum. A constant companion of diamond is pyrope, a cherry-colored mineral. Pyrope is more common than diamond and serves as a good “guide” when searching for diamond deposits.
Application of diamond
Diamonds are divided into jewelry and technical. The first include transparent, colorless or lightly colored varieties of more or less large sizes; technical ones include dark-margin varieties and small-sized diamonds. Industrial diamonds, as a rule, predominate in the deposits; jewelry grades are less common.
Diamond is called the hero of technology. Up to 80% of diamonds mined worldwide are used in industry. Diamonds are used in the electrical, radio-electronic and instrument-making industries. Diamonds are used as nuclear radiation detectors, fast particle counters, and medical counters. They are used in space research and in studying the deep structure of the Earth. The use of diamond for cutting glass is well known. A 1-carat diamond (a carat is equal to 0.2 g) can cut 2,500 km of window glass.
Diamond, comparable to the transparency of spring water, shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow and is also used as jewelry (diamond). It is valued more than a hammer. For the cost of a diamond the size of an apricot, you can build an entire factory. The high price of a diamond is explained not so much by its high hardness, strong shine, and beautiful “play” of colors, but by its rarity. Large deposits are rare. Even in rich deposits, 3-6 small diamond grains are found in one cubic meter of rock.
On average, only about 5 kg of diamonds are recovered from 100,000 tons of rock. The ratio is 20 million to 1.
The history of diamond goes back more than five thousand years. Famous diamonds and other precious stones are witnesses of power, the immense splendor of royal attire, people's grief, and suffering. Diamonds adorned the crowns and other attributes of power of pharaohs, shahs and kings.
Many of the large diamonds have bloody histories, full of secrets, tragedies, nightmarish crimes, used by the fleeting greedy joy in the world of profit.
Diamond deposits
Africa is the Diamond Continent. The main diamond-mining countries in Africa are: the Republic of Zaire, which ranks first in the world in the production of industrial diamonds, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa (the country of diamonds is Namibia, which ranks first in the world in the production of jewelry diamonds, illegally occupied by South Africa), Angola, Guinea and other. Some of the richest diamond deposits in Africa and in the world are the diamond deposits of the Central African Empire. Then there are the countries of South America: Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana and the countries of Asia: India, Indonesia.
In South Africa in 1905, two giant diamonds were found. The largest of them is “Cullinan” (named after the owner of the mine) weighing 3106 carats (the size of a fist), the second is “Excelsior” - 971.5 carats. Both diamonds were sawn and processed into smaller diamonds and sold off. The Cullinan yielded 105 diamonds after sawing. Two of them - the largest - are inserted into the royal scepter and the imperial crown of England. In Sierra Leone, in the Engema region (West Africa), a large diamond the size of a small chicken egg was found. It weighs 968.9 carats (almost 200 g). Its length is 40 mm. They called it “The Star of Sierra Leone”. It ranks third in the international list of rare diamonds. The Star of Sierra Leone diamond is cut into 11 individual stones of high value. Sierra Leonean diamonds are among the best in quality. The largest Indian diamond is the Great Mogul - 794 carats. Large diamonds "Orlov" (194.8 carats) and "Koh-i-noor" (109 carats) were found in India.
The largest flat diamond has an area of 7.5 cm2. It is mounted in a gold bracelet; kept in the Russian Diamond Fund. One of the largest light blue diamonds, 42.27 carats, was found in the Republic of South Africa (Orange Province).
The very first diamond in Russia was found by 14-year-old serf Pavel Popov in the Urals in the 19th century. After such a precious find, geologists explored the Urals and Siberia for almost 100 years, until geologist Larisa Popugaeva found the first Zarnitsa kimberlite pipe in cold Yakutia in June 1954. One diamond weighing 29.4 carats bears the name of Larisa Popugaeva.
The Yakut diamond is clean and transparent, as if it has absorbed the beauty of the northern lights and the strength of the Yakut frost. About ten kimberlite pipes have been discovered on the territory of Yakutia: “Aikhal”, “Zarnitsa”, “Internationalnaya”, “Mir”, the largest in the world “Udachnaya”, “Yubileinaya”. One of the largest Soviet diamonds, “Maria,” weighs 105.98 carats. A diamond weighing 342.5 carats was found in the Mir pipe on December 23, 1980 and was named in honor of the 17th Congress of the CPSU, which took place 3 months after the discovery. In modern Russia, two discoveries stand out, made in 2003 in the Udachnaya pipe: lemon and tobacco-colored diamonds, weighing 301.55 and 232.7 carats, respectively.
Kimberlite pipes and associated diamond deposits are found in Russia, not only in Yakutia. The discovery of diamond deposits here was the discovery of the Pomorskaya kimberlite pipe in 1980, which, in addition to 5 other pipes (Pionerskaya, Karpinskogo-1, Karpinskogo-2, Arkhangelskaya and Lomonosov) is part of the largest deposit of alluvial diamonds in the European part of Russia - named after M.V. Lomonosov. Here, the largest diamond in the entire history of mining is a diamond weighing 50.1 carats. In the Arkhangelsk region, in addition to the Lomonosov deposit, the V.P. deposit is in commercial operation. Grib (Verkhotinskoe).
One of the promising diamond-bearing areas in Russia is the Irkutsk region, where the search for precious stones was stopped in 1980 due to insufficient funding and negative results obtained in the southern part of the region.
In 2015, a number of scientists carried out an analysis suggesting that the Orenburg region has prospects for the presence of diamond-bearing areas.
Diamond is the hardest mineral in the world and is an allotrope of carbon. The closest relative of diamond is graphite, the same one from which pencil leads are made.
The mineral received its name from the ancient Greek word adamas, which translated means “indestructible.”
Characteristics and types
Diamonds are minerals whose main characteristics include the following:
Highest hardness ( 10 on the Mohs hardness scale);
At the same time high fragility;
The highest thermal conductivity among solids (900-2300 cu)
Does not conduct electric current;
Melting point - 4000ºC;
Combustion temperature - 1000 ºC;
Has luminescence.
Diamond is 96-98% carbon. The rest is impurities of various chemical elements, which give the mineral its color. Most natural diamonds are yellowish or brownish in color. Blue, blue, green, red and black diamonds are also found in nature.
After processing and cutting, the color deposit disappears, which is why the vast majority of diamonds are colorless. Colored diamonds are extremely rare. Among the most famous are: Dresden (green), Tiffany diamond (yellow) and Porter Rhodes (blue).
One of the methods for determining the authenticity of a diamond is quite simple: a line is drawn along the surface with a special felt-tip pen containing heavy ink. If the line remains solid, then the diamond is real. On fake ones, the line crumbles into droplets.
Deposits and production
(An incredible quarry in which diamonds have been mined for a very long time is located in the village of Mir, Sakha, Yakutia.)
Diamond deposits have been discovered on all continents except Antarctica. In nature, diamonds occur in the form of placers, but most of them are contained in kimberlite pipes. Kimberlite pipes are a kind of “holes” in the earth’s crust that are formed during the explosion of gases. According to experts, it is precisely such pipes that contain up to 90% of all diamonds on earth.
The richest diamond deposits are located in Botswana, Russia, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Every year more than 130 million carats of diamonds (about 30 tons) are mined in the world. Russia ranks first in the world in diamond mining (29% of world production), second only to Botswana in the value of the minerals found.
In Russia, the first diamond was found in 1829 in the Perm region. Now this deposit is called “Diamond Key”. Later, deposits were discovered in Siberia and the Arkhangelsk region. The largest deposit is located on the border of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Yakutia. It is believed to contain about a trillion carats.
In 2015, a new type of diamond deposit was discovered in Kamchatka. These are the so-called “Tolbachik” diamonds, which were discovered in the solidified lava of a volcano. Several hundred diamonds have already been found in just a few samples taken here.
The largest diamond in size was found in 1905 in South Africa. It's called "Cullinan". Its weight is 3106 carats. The diamond produced 96 small and 9 large diamonds, the largest of which is the “Star of Africa” (530 carats). This diamond now adorns the scepter of English monarchs and is kept in the Tower.
In 1939, Russian physicist O. Leypunsky first obtained synthetic diamond. And since 1963, serial production of synthetic diamonds has been established, which are widely used in technology and in jewelry.
Applications of diamonds
The overwhelming majority of natural diamonds (up to 70%) are used in jewelry - for decorations. Almost 50% of the world's diamond production belongs to the De Beers company, which maintains a monopoly by setting high prices for 1 carat. Recently, the Russian company Alrosa, which conducts development and production in 9 countries, has become a leader.
Industrial Application:
For the manufacture of knives, saws, cutters, drill cores, glass cutters, etc.;
As an abrasive in the manufacture of sharpening machines and wheels;
In the watch industry;
In the nuclear industry;
In optics;
In the manufacture of quantum computers;
In the production of microelectronics.
Word diamond comes from the Greek "adamas" - unsurpassed. Scientists have not reached a consensus on the origin of diamonds. According to the most popular hypothesis, the mineral was formed as a result of the cooling of silicates in the mantle of the earth's crust. And it owes its appearance on the surface of the planet to a series of powerful underground explosions.
Diamonds in nature are inclusions in rocks, serpentines, etc. In addition, they are sometimes found in river and sea coastal pebble placers, where they arrive as a result of the destruction of volcanic rocks. To obtain one carat of natural diamonds, about 250 tons of diamond-containing ore must be processed. Considering that when cutting a nugget loses on average half its weight, the amount of ore required can be doubled.
In terms of chemical composition, it is one of the simplest minerals; it is pure carbon with minor admixtures of calcium, magnesium and iron oxides.
Physicochemical properties of diamond
- The chemical formula is C (carbon).
- Color - colorless, with shades of yellow, less often - red, orange, green, blue.
- The crystal system is cubic.
- Hardness 10 on the Mohs scale.
- Density, specific gravity - 3.52 g per cm3.
- The fracture is conchoidal.
- Refractive index - 2.417.
- Cleavage is perfect, octahedral.
- Habitus, crystal shape - octahedral, dodecahedral.
- Pleochroism - no.
- Transparency - from transparent to opaque.
Where and how are they mined?
The main diamond deposits are concentrated in Australia, South Africa, Congo and Russia. These countries account for about 60% of world mineral production. Botswana, Angola and Namibia also have significant reserves. Until the end of the 17th century. Almost all diamonds were mined in the mines of India, but today they are almost completely devastated. Legend has it that in ancient times people used birds of prey to mine diamonds. Pieces of raw meat, to which small crystals stuck, were thrown into deep crevices with precious placers. Sensing the smell of prey, the eagles descended into these crevices, grabbed food and carried it away in their talons. Then all that was left was to follow the bird, sneak up unnoticed and snatch the meat with the jewelry stuck to it. The second method involved searching for eagle nests, around which a large amount of bird droppings collected. People picked it up and took out diamond nuggets, sometimes reaching considerable sizes.
In fact, in the old days, diamonds were mined only from river and sea placers by carefully washing out pebbles and sand. The main tools of labor were a shovel, a sieve and a pick. An alternative to this method was the discovery at the end of the 19th century. - a geological body of vertical shape, formed by the breakthrough of gases through the earth’s crust. Kimberlite is a volcanic rock that contains diamond crystals along with other minerals. Today, almost the entire diamond mining industry is built on the use of this natural phenomenon.
Diamond price
, which includes four main criteria: - 1. CARAT - stone weight;
- 2. CUT - cut quality;
- 3. COLOR - color;
- 4. CLARITY - cleanliness.
The most important factor in determining the price of a stone is the quality of its cut. If a diamond is cut incorrectly, then there can be no talk of any play of light or beauty. The key role in cutting is played by the ratio of the depth and surface area of the diamond to its diameter. The proportionality of the stone is rated on a five-point GIA scale from good to ideal.
Trade rules stipulate that only those diamonds that have exactly 57 facets can be called diamonds. According to experts, it is this cut that allows one to fully appreciate the light-refractive properties of the mineral. Specimens processed using other technologies should be called diamonds, supplementing the wording with an indication of the shape: marquis, princess and others.
The next factor influencing the cost of a diamond is its color. According to the regulations approved by the World Association of Diamond Bourses, experts distinguish between nine color groups of diamonds. Of those regularly encountered, the most expensive will be colorless stones and those that have a slight bluish tint. They are called pure diamonds. However, the most valuable stones are those of deep natural shades: red, green, blue, orange and pink. This coloring is called fancy.
The number of diamonds of natural saturated colors does not exceed several tens per million white stones. For example, Russian Emperor Paul I paid 100 thousand rubles for a small red diamond. For comparison: a cow in those days cost 5 rubles. Inexpressive stones of yellowish and brown tones, characteristic of most nuggets, are valued much less on the market.
The purity of a diamond means the absence of various defects outside and inside the stone. The concept of “defects” includes microcracks, scratches, chips, air bubbles and foreign inclusions. Clarity assessment is carried out at tenfold magnification of the diamond, which makes it possible to study its characteristics in detail. Based on the results of the inspection, the stone is classified into one of eleven purity groups. Diamonds that have no defects are classified as “intrinsically flawless.” Those defects that are visible to the naked eye are classified as “imperfect”.
Each diamond has a unique structure and characteristics. There are no two identical stones, just like two identical fingerprints. The common myth that a diamond cannot be broken once played a cruel joke on the Swiss mercenaries of King Louis XI. During one of the many internecine conflicts, they seized the jewels of Duke Charles the Bold. Having heard about the extraordinary hardness of diamonds, the soldiers decided to check the authenticity of the stones. The diamonds could not withstand the powerful blows of the hammer and crumbled. A huge amount of jewelry was thrown away because the Swiss considered it fake. At the end of the 15th century. The Archduke of Austria, doubting the bride's positive response, heeded the advice to back up his intentions with jewelry. Since then, the custom of accompanying a marriage proposal with a diamond ring has been popular all over the world.
How to spot fakes
Without exception, all diamond buyers are afraid of being deceived. At the same time, they strive to pay the lowest possible price for the stones. Fraudsters and dishonest traders successfully play on these conflicting feelings. The most common trick of criminals is to replace precious stones with cheaper analogues. To imitate diamonds, transparent zircon, colorless sapphire or ordinary crystal are usually used. To identify a fake, you need to look through the stone into the sun. A cut diamond reflects the rays in such a way that only a bright point can be seen through it. L simulators completely transmit light. In addition, sellers of fakes often mention the popular myth about the complete transparency of diamonds in water. This is actually fiction. The effect of invisibility can be achieved between those materials that have the same refractive index. The refractive index of water is 1, that of diamond is 2.4. Of all the diamond simulants, the closest in this characteristic to water is ordinary glass, the refractive index of which is 1.5. Thus, a real stone dropped into a glass will continue to sparkle, but a fake one will not.
It is almost impossible to distinguish a natural diamond from one created in a laboratory. Advanced technology makes it possible to synthesize artificial diamonds weighing up to 15 carats. In such a situation, the buyer should be embarrassed by the clearly reduced price, which may be tens of times less than the real one. There are no objective reasons for selling diamonds for next to nothing.
An interesting way to detect counterfeits was invented by the French chemist Margot. The scientist proposed to determine a true diamond by running an aluminum stick over its surface, after wetting the stone with water. On fake diamonds, the metal will leave a clear line of silver color, which is very difficult to erase. But on a natural diamond no trace of aluminum will be visible. Only a professional appraiser can guarantee 100% authenticity of a diamond. Well-known tips and recommendations will only help identify low-quality fakes.
Processing and use
Diamonds are most widely used in the jewelry industry. But few people know that not every stone has jewelry quality. No more than 15% of mined minerals are suitable for creating a diamond; another 45% of nuggets are considered conditionally suitable for cutting. The remaining 40% of diamonds are used as composite materials and super-hard elements for industrial use. The most common forms of diamond cuts are brilliant and rose. The first is used for processing large nuggets, the second - for small diamonds.Story
The idea of using diamonds first appeared in India around 3000 BC. Hindus believed that the stone unites all five natural principles - earth, water, air, sky and energy. In those days, the mineral’s place in the hierarchy was far from leading. On the territory of modern Russia, the period of “minority” lasted until the beginning of the 17th century. In Europe, diamond jewelry became popular two centuries earlier. It was then that the level of technological development allowed man to cut this mineral. The world history of diamonds (cut diamonds) includes several dozen unique stones that have become truly iconic for their owners. Each of them has its own name and destiny. One of the most famous processed nuggets is "Kohinoor". The name of the stone translated from Indian means “mountain of light”. A diamond weighing almost 800 carats was found in 56 BC. The first owners of the diamond were representatives of the Great Mughal dynasty. During its long life, “Kohinoor” was in the hands of several Persian monarchs, adorned the bracelet of an Indian king, and after the conquest of Hindustan by the British it ended up in Foggy Albion, where it was cut in a new way. Since 1911, the Kohinoor has adorned the small Royal State Crown of Great Britain and is considered the country's most famous jewel.
Another legendary diamond, named after Count Orlov, had a no less royal fate. This nugget also comes from India - it was found at the beginning of the 16th century. After cutting into a tall rose, the stone weighed 300 carats. Over the next 30 years, it adorned the throne of Shah Nadir, after which it was stolen and transported to Europe. In 1773, in one of the Amsterdam markets, the stunningly beautiful diamond was bought by the favorite of Catherine II, Count Grigory Orlov. The Russian queen, to whom “Derianur” was intended, ordered the stone to be inserted into the royal scepter and given a new name. Today, the golden scepter topped with this diamond is kept in the Diamond Fund of Russia.
Another legendary nugget, with a unique sapphire blue color, has gained fame as a fatal stone that brings misfortune to its owner.
The diamond was brought from India to France as a gift to King Louis XIV. It is believed that the plague epidemic came to Europe with it. At different times and for different reasons, all those who were the owners of the stone died. The French Princess de Lamballe was killed during the revolution, Queen Marie Antoinette was executed. The same fate awaited members of the family of banker Hope, the last owner of the diamond. Hope's son was poisoned, and his grandson was completely ruined. Named after a wealthy financier, this stone is the most expensive in the world. Experts estimate it at $200 million. With a weight of 45.5 carats, the cost of one unit of weight will cost a potential buyer almost 5 million dollars.
Stone in literature and art
The pursuit of diamonds has formed the basis of the plot of many works of fiction. Suffice it to recall the intrigues of the treacherous Cardinal Richelieu around the queen’s pendants in Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers” or the misadventures of Kisa Vorobyaninov in “The Twelve Chairs” by Ilf and Petrov. This stone is no less popular among film directors. Everyone knows that the interior of the ship in the movie "Titanic" is almost completely identical to the original. But not many viewers are aware that in the story there is a real prototype of the diamond from the main character’s necklace.
The Heart of the Ocean stone was put up for auction at Christie's in 1995. The price of the exclusive lot was 7 million 791 thousand dollars. The diamond really has a rare blue color and is cut in the shape of a heart. The only difference between the film jewel and its prototype is the size. The real “Heart of the Ocean” weighs just under 14 carats, and the diamond that adorned the neck of the film’s main character appears to have a mass 30 times greater.
The cinematography also owes its appearance to the catchphrase about girls' best friends. After all, this was originally a line from a song sung by Marilyn Monroe in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The stone sparkling on the body of Monroe’s heroine was presented to the actress by the owner of a large jewelry company, Meyer Rosenbaum. The purpose of the present was to help the girl promote the film on the screen. In 1990, the diamond was sold at one of the auctions for 297 thousand dollars.
Basic characteristics of diamonds
The basis for determining the value of a diamond is 4"C" system. This system has greatly simplified the task by creating strict boundaries for each component: carat - weight of the stone, cut - quality of cut, color - color, clarity - purity.Diamond color
Although diamonds are mostly colorless, some have shades of pale yellow, yellow or brown of varying intensities. Absolutely transparent diamonds are said to be “pure water.” Stones that do not have any color tint, with the exception of bluish, are most highly valued. 
Above is a table of diamond color and clarity. Developed by the GIA Institute.
Diamond Clarity
Diamonds, like most other minerals, have natural inclusions and defects in their structure. The fewer there are, the more valuable the diamond. Absolutely transparent diamonds are practically never found in nature; we can only talk about the purity of a diamond under tenfold magnification. 
The distribution of light in a diamond depending on the proportions and depth of its cut.
It often happens that in pursuit of weight, which is very important, the diamond is cut without observing strict geometric proportions. As a result, having received a larger stone, we get a diamond with an insufficiently beautiful play of light. The buyer may not pay attention to this, being tempted by the weight. But only the seller will benefit from this. Therefore, it is better to try to buy a stone with the most correct geometric proportion. Especially when it comes to diamonds weighing more than one carat.
Diamond cut shapes
There are a number of different diamond cut shapes. The most common is the classic shape - round with 57 edges. It is this kind of stone that is able to reflect to the greatest extent almost all the light falling on it, demonstrating excellent play, glow and shimmer.All other forms of diamond cutting are called “fancy”. Some of the most popular ones include marquise, princess, oval, pear, emerald, heart and baguette.
Diamond weight
The weight of diamonds is measured to the nearest 0.01 carats. Stones weighing less than this limit are considered crumbs. The weight of diamonds is measured on special carat scales, and it can be approximately determined by the diameter of the stone. 
The use of diamond has a history of more than two centuries. Almost until the middle of the 20th century, diamonds were exclusively a jewelry material. But in order to give it one or another facet (to cut a diamond), you need to use another diamond, since no other material can process this durable mineral. To unlock the full potential of the mineral, chemists and physicists conducted a series of experiments and found out its properties, as well as the limiting parameters that contribute to the use of diamond in various fields of activity.
Properties of diamond
Any diamond is an allotropic modification of carbon, which, by the way, is also present in the graphite of a simple pencil. Therefore, at elevated temperatures, any diamond easily turns into graphite. On the Mohs hardness scale, the mineral has 10 points out of 10 possible. Its density is 3.4 – 3.5 g/cm³. Its thermal conductivity is extremely high and amounts to up to 2300 W (mK).
The mineral has a very low coefficient of friction for metal (about 0.1), which is due to the presence of a thin film of adsorbed gas on its surface. In its absence, the friction coefficient increases 5 times. The two most important characteristics are the lowest compression ratio and the highest elastic modulus.
Diamond melts at a pressure of 11 GPa and a temperature of 4000° C. In air it burns at a temperature of 800 to 1000° C, and with the participation of pure oxygen it burns, like pure propane, with a blue flame and burns completely, being released in the form of carbon dioxide.
If you heat the mineral without access to air at a temperature of 2000° C, it quickly turns into graphite and breaks into pieces with cotton. It is noteworthy that at temperatures above 2000° C the thermodynamics of the mineral takes on an anomalous character.
Due to its “extreme” properties, diamond is used in modern manufacturing and processing industries.
Application of diamond
In construction, the use of diamonds is justified by the specifics of complex structures made of concrete and steel. Diamond drilling, cutting, dismantling, regardless of the material of work, allows you to achieve results without the formation of destructive microcracks. Drills and saws of huge diameters are used for sawing concrete, grinding crushed stone, and even cutting granite and marble.
The mineral is used in precision instrument making and heavy engineering. Turning metal is also the prerogative of diamond.
Extremely high wear resistance, coupled with unlimited access to artificial and industrial diamonds, makes it possible to design and build literally everything (from precision surgical instruments to space carriers).
Figure 1. Applications of diamonds.
For example, in Russia alone today more than 1,200 types of tools are produced that use diamond (Fig. 1, areas of application of diamonds). Drills, cutters, grinding wheels, glass cutters, metal scissors and saws for metal and stone - diamonds are actively used everywhere (mainly industrial, that is, synthetic).
Without this mineral, laying cables and building tunnels is impossible. Where blasting cannot be carried out, a roadheader is used, armed with a huge disk strewn with blades with a thin coating of diamond chips.
Diamond is also used in medicine, where the thickness of the scalpel blade is critical. By reducing the width of the incision and remaining sharp for a long time, the diamond scalpel is the main tool of the modern surgeon. Promising developments such as a medical crystal laser, where the mineral will act as an active conductor, deserve special mention.
In telecommunications and electronics, diamond is used to carry signals of different frequencies through a single cable. Of course, its dimensions are extremely small, but its properties successfully overcome large temperature changes and the largest voltage surges. Its use along with ruby in ultra-sensitive photocells, optics, which is at the service of astronomers, is especially critical.
In chemistry and physics, diamond is used primarily as a protective element. An aggressive chemical environment that can damage glass (hydrofluoric acid), as well as scientific experiments in the fields of quantum physics, optics, laser technology, and space exploration, in which errors are unacceptable, require the active use of diamonds.
The use of this mineral is very active in mining. Coal face, oil and gas production - wherever there is a need to drill, lay pipes and deal with very hard formations in the soil (rock formation, limestone), hardened steel alone is not enough.
What kind of diamonds are used in production?
Not every diamond is suitable for use in production. Jewelry stones cost incredible amounts of money and are mined in several places all over the planet, which is completely unprofitable and unjustified in mass industry. This is where synthetic elements come to the rescue. Since 1953, more than 97% of all diamonds used in the industry have been grown artificially. Currently, there are 3 known methods for obtaining this mineral:
- CVD – chemical vapor deposition, or chemical vapor deposition.
- HPHT – high pressure high temperature, or with the participation of high temperatures and pressure.
- Synthesis with detonation, simulating conditions closest to natural (explosives containing carbon are detonated).
Thus, the global industry fully covers its needs for diamonds and tirelessly pleases humanity with new technological achievements.
Diamond is a solid mineral of natural origin. Cubic modification of carbon is resistant to high pressure. The name of the mineral means "solid". There are many interesting facts and ancient legends about this gemstone. From our review you will learn about such things as the origin of diamonds, the amazing properties of the mineral and its application features.
Diamond history
The obsolete name for diamond is adamant, which comes from the Greek word adamas. It translates as invincible.
The history of diamond is also interesting. The first mention of this stone dates back to the third millennium BC. But jewelry with diamonds began to be used only 500 years ago. It was then that craftsmen began to master cutting techniques that made it possible to obtain diamonds.
Diamond stones were especially valued by Empress Catherine II. She considered it the most beautiful of all minerals. Historical facts include the acquisition by Paul I of a red diamond, the cost of which was 100 thousand rubles. In those days, you could buy a cow for 5 rubles.
The mineral remained unnoticed for a long time, since an uncut diamond looks like crystalline crystal of an indeterminate configuration. Diamond in nature can be colorless or transparent.
The stone is the hardest mineral, and there is nothing harder than diamond in this field. The hardness of the material depends on the composition of the crystal lattice.
Place of Birth
Let's consider interesting facts about diamonds. Huge deposits of the precious stone are located in South Africa, in the Kimberley. These diamond deposits were discovered in 1866, on the coast of the Orange River.
Many famous diamonds such as Koh-i-noor were found in South India. Until the 18th century, this country was considered the main diamond mining site in the world. And then the largest diamond deposits were found in Brazil. Even today small minerals of excellent quality are found in this country.
Koch and Nor
In the 19th century, South Africa became the main source of diamonds in the world. Stones for industrial purposes were mainly mined in the Congo. Australia supplies interesting varieties of rough diamonds in fancy colors. Precious stones are also mined in the USA. These are the territories of states such as Colorado and Arkansas.
Alluvial varieties of diamond are obtained in Canada, in the province of Quebec, on the island of St. Helena and in the northwest territories. There are deposits in Russia, Serbia and Venezuela.
How are diamonds formed?
The chemical composition of the gemstone is also interesting, being pure carbon, the same as graphite. The known hardness of diamond is due to its special crystalline structure, which is formed as a result of strong pressure and high temperature in the upper layers of the earth's surface.
The formation of diamonds, which occurs at a depth of 80-150 km, also deserves attention. Since the stone is made of carbon, it burns in oxygen.
In diamond deposits, stones are found in the form of crystals in a flat shape and often with curved edges.
Europeans began to use diamond processing in the 14th century. Shear processing and the rose technique were performed for small elements. The processed diamond to the brilliant only appeared in the 17th century. Over time, this technology has improved.
Currently, different types of diamond cuts are obtained using laser technology. This is the first gemstone whose weight was measured in carats. In 1907, an exact measure was established equal to 0.2 g. These minerals are characterized by an ideal crystalline configuration and symmetry.
There are different theories about how diamonds are formed. The magmatic theory states that carbon atoms change their structure when exposed to high temperatures. When volcanoes erupt, precious stones along with magma come to the surface.
There is also a theory about the meteorite origin of the stones. According to her, the crystals formed on falling meteorites.
Deposits of minerals of extraterrestrial origin were found in the Grand Canyon in the USA, where a huge meteorite fell 30 thousand years ago. There is also a deposit that appeared as a result of a meteorite fall in Sakha in Yakutia. You can find out in more detail how diamonds are mined in this area.
What do diamonds look like?
A natural diamond without treatment may appear too round. But a cut diamond is distinguished by its dispersion and brilliance. The diamond cut ensures that the facets of the mineral reflect a large amount of incident light.
It is worth noting other types of cuts. These are pandelok, cushion, round and fancy processing. Small stones are used to decorate inserts. During processing, most of the stone's mass may be lost. Material processing is carried out using different techniques. Sanding can remove various imperfections. Polishing helps create a mirror-like surface. Cutting is done using a special cast iron disc.
The cost of diamonds depends on parameters such as color and transparency.
Properties of diamond
The unique properties of diamond are also known, distinguishing it favorably from other minerals:
- The high density of diamond allows it to be used in industrial sectors.
- Stone is the hardest of all minerals on the planet.
- The increased strength of diamond contributes to long and costly processing.
- When charged particles penetrate the crystal, electrical impulses are generated.
- High super-refraction contributes to the bright shine and multi-colored play of the faceted surface.
Important characteristics of diamond include resistance to sulfuric, nitric and hydrofluoric acid. But diamond combustion is possible when exposed to alkaline melts. Melting can be achieved at temperatures above 700 degrees, and at 1000 the mineral burns completely.
The crystal lattice of a stone is a cube, each vertex of which houses an atom. There are additional atoms inside the cube. This diamond formula promotes a tight connection of atoms.
The mineral may have different colors or be colorless. The stone can be colored in all possible shades of brown, red, green, yellow and blue. The color is often unevenly distributed.
The relative hardness of the mineral on the Moss scale is 10. And the absolute hardness is 1000 times higher than that of quartz, and 150 times higher than that of corundum.
At the same time, the mineral is characterized by brittleness and can easily crack.
Medicinal properties
Since ancient times, it was believed that diamond has a healing effect and high energy potential.
The positive effects of this mineral help to cope with some ailments: 
- Elimination of inflammatory processes.
- Treatment of skin diseases.
- Prevention of diseases of the bladder, stomach and bronchi.
- Normalization of mental state and relief from insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
- Stabilization of hypertension.
It is believed that the mineral creates vibrations that help in the treatment of gynecological ailments.
Magic properties
Diamond is also popular due to its magical properties. The stone enhances the aura of its owner and gives strength. And a person can absorb all the benefits that diamond products promise. It is believed to help in personal life and bring success at work.
In the old days, diamond was a talisman that protected its owner from various magical influences. The ancient Egyptians believed that the stone was able to protect its owner from the effects of poisons.
It is worth noting the magical properties of the stone, which are still believed in today:
- To improve the situation in the love sphere, jewelry with jewelry is worn on the left hand.
- Yellow stones are used for various rituals.
- A white diamond is considered an ideal amulet.
- The combination of diamond and gold is suitable for good luck in business.
Who is a diamond suitable for?
According to the zodiac horoscope, the sign of Aries and Libra are protected by this particular gemstone. The character of Aries involves constant struggle, and the pink mineral will give this sign strength and energy.
Libra experiences constant doubts when making decisions, and a blue stone will give determination and lead to victories.
Diamond colors
The classification of diamonds is also determined by the color palette. The shade depends on the impurities included in the composition. The chemical reactions that occur during the formation of the mineral also affect the color. The transparent stone, which does not have any tint, is also distinguished by its extraordinary beauty.
Yellow stones are produced when carbon atoms are exchanged for nitrogen elements. Minerals of dark yellow tones are of particular value. They look great framed in pure gold.
The cost of a gemstone depends on the saturation of the shade. Brown materials are especially valued. They are found at great depths in Australian deposits. The color palette varies from cognac tones to dark coffee.
A blue tint may appear during refining. A similar color can also be of natural origin. In this case, the formula represents boron atoms that appear instead of carbon.
Blue stones are rare. Most often, found minerals are put up at auctions. There are also special technologies that make it possible to obtain a beautiful shade of yellow minerals.
Green diamonds are not that common. A similar shade is obtained under the influence of natural radiation. Minerals with a dark green hue are especially prized among collectors.
Red stones are also considered rare. A similar type of diamond is mined in Australian mines. Natural stones with a natural red tint are found in isolated cases.
Pink diamond
Most often there is a pink diamond. Scientists were unable to explain why the stone has such a shade. No foreign atoms are observed in the crystal structure.
Artificial diamonds
An artificial diamond has many advantages over a real mineral. It is almost in no way inferior to the original. Synthesized stones are easier to process and are superior to real minerals in purity and hardness. Artificial analogues do not have defects - inclusions, turbidity and miniature cracks. And, besides, they are cheaper than natural materials.
Known analogues of natural diamonds
It is worth noting the existing specimens that are used instead of diamonds:
- Cubic zirconia was first developed in Russia.
- Moissanites are a stone substitute that is difficult to distinguish from the original.
- Asha diamonds have a surface covered with a layer of carbon atoms.
A close relative of diamond is HPHT minerals. They are obtained artificially.
How to distinguish a real diamond from a fake
The developed chemical industry contributes to the spread of skillful counterfeits and all kinds of imitations. It is important to know how to distinguish a natural diamond from low-quality analogues.
There are different ways to tell you how to distinguish real from fake stones:
- Diamond is a mineral that has the property of dispersing light. If, when directing the beam through the surface, it does not change direction, this is a sign of a fake.
- Different types of diamonds glow under the influence of ultraviolet rays.
- This mineral is not subject to abrasion. Therefore, if abrasions and other defects can be seen on the surface, the stone is fake.
- You should try to draw a marker along the edges; if the line does not blur, the stone is real.
- The original does not fog up if you breathe on it.
- When a stone is placed in acid, nothing will happen to it.
- The edges of a real diamond are clear and sharp.
- If a drop of fat is applied to the surface of the imitation, it will first separate into small particles and then collect. On a real diamond, the drop will remain unchanged.
To distinguish a real mineral from an artificial one, you should pay attention to the number of faces. A diamond has 57 facets, while a fake will have much fewer facets.
What are synthetic diamonds
The American company General Electric began the continuous production and use of synthetic diamonds. Technologies have been developed that make it possible to obtain minerals of yellow, brown, blue and red shades.
Synthetic diamonds have been actively used in the world since 1993. They are used not only in the jewelry industry, but also in the fields of medicine, technology and science. Synthetic minerals come in different categories. For example, regular, increased and high strength. It is worth highlighting monocrystalline products. 
Global diamond production per year is approximately 27 tons. During the same time, about 200 tons of synthetic products are produced.
Synthetic minerals are used in the production of high-tech equipment. It is worth highlighting the following areas of diamond application:
- The optical properties of the mineral are relevant. It is used in optics, synchrotron production and microelectronics.
- Synthetic elements are suitable for making lasers of enormous power in the defense industry and in the medical field.
- The created diamond crystals are used for computer technology. These elements can withstand higher temperatures than silicon chips.
- Diamond powder is used in metallurgy, mechanical engineering and defense enterprises.
- Special crystal pastes are used in the manufacture of high-precision parts.
- Synthesized crystals are used in the manufacture of cutting and grinding tools.
- Medical instruments are made using synthetic products. Diamond scalpels are characterized by special strength and a perfectly straight blade.
- Diamond lenses have a high refractive index and are therefore used in medicine.
The technology for the production of artificial minerals is based on the synthesis of crystals from carbon under elevated pressure. Growing crystals is a painstaking process.
Man-made diamonds react to magnets. To distinguish synthetic elements from the originals, various techniques are used. Using spectroscopic analysis, it is possible to identify metal lines in crystals obtained by the growth method. Fluorescence analysis helps to identify the synthesized crystals.
Materials such as sapphire, zircon, rock crystal and glass are used to imitate diamonds.
Caring for Diamond Products
Like other precious stones, diamond products require special care. Jewelry should be cleaned regularly. If this is not done, a whitish coating may appear. And to remove it you will need to go to a workshop to polish the product.
Caring for diamond products involves simple procedures:
- When cleaning the product, you must wear gloves, since the stone is sensitive to the fat that covers the skin.
- For the cleansing procedure, you can use a soft, lint-free cloth. To remove dirt using wet cleaning, you need to use a soft velvet material.
- The optimal cleaning agent is a low-alkaline soap solution. You can keep the product in the liquid for several minutes and then wipe it dry.
- The procedure cannot be carried out using high temperatures. The solution should be heated no more than 40 degrees.
- It is not recommended to use a hair dryer for drying.
- Stones should not be left in direct sunlight for a long time.
For the cleaning procedure, you can use vodka or medical alcohol, which must first be combined with water. After processing, the mineral is rubbed with a velvet cloth. To clean jewelry, you cannot use certain types of products that will harm not only the stone, but also the setting. It is not recommended to use soda as it may affect the appearance of the product. It will lose its shine and become dull or matte. Hydrogen peroxide, manganese and vinegar contribute to the oxidation of the gold frame and dullness of the diamond.
When exposed to iodine, gold can change color. Bleach also greatly affects the hue of gold and discolors it. Do not use household cleaning products for water procedures that contain a large percentage of abrasive and alkaline materials. Abrasive components can scratch the surface of the gold or cause the stone to dull. Jewelry can also be cleaned with a toothbrush, but only with soft bristles.
Dirt often accumulates in clasps, locks and where the stone is attached. Do not try to remove dirt with a needle. This may cause scratches.
The clarity of a diamond is influenced by the quality of processing and the color of the product. This indicator depends on the presence of defects. The price for an average quality mineral is from $500 per carat. The cost of jewelry depends on weight, color, clarity and cut. Using useful recommendations for identifying the original, you can select a high-quality mineral. Simple care tips will allow you to maintain an attractive appearance for a long time without resorting to sanding the surface.
