It’s easy to attribute the special place diamonds have carved for themselves, to their beauty and exclusivity. But those aren’t the only noteworthy reasons. Known for being the second most stable form of Carbon – after graphite – diamonds hold the distinction of being the hardest mineral to occur naturally on our planet. The fact that they are virtually scratch-proof makes them most suited as jewelry.
Geographically speaking, diamonds are only found either at meteor collision sites or in the lithospheric mantle found below secure and fixed continent plates. They’re brought into existence when Carbon molecules are subjected to conditions of high pressure and temperatures – which in these spots are considered to be relatively ‘cool’ – in the above mentioned locations.
Diamonds found at meteor craters are formed as a result of the collision of space debris which generates high pressure and temperatures. Such diamonds are very small sized and are referred to as micro or nanodiamonds. Their miniature size make them unfit to qualify for GIA diamond rings.
Both Diamonds and Graphite are referred to as Allotropes of Carbon. Allotropes are chemical substances which originate when the atoms of a chemical element bond in patterns that aren’t regular. In this regard, they are similar to Isotopes which are atoms of chemical elements with a different number of neutrons.
Though diamonds are known for their rare occurrence on Earth, it is believed that they may be very common on other planets with severe conditions. Take for instance the planet of Neptune where the intense atmospheric pressure results in perfect allotrope formations of Carbon molecules. Space scientists postulate that tiny diamond crystals hang suspended in the very atmosphere of the planet – certainly a dream-come-true for those diamond fans or youngsters planning on committing with a diamond ring.
Volcanic activity pushes most diamonds closer to the Earth’s surface where they are then mined. But some diamonds are said to have been brought from space by impacting asteroids. Such diamonds are formed from supernovas and in white dwarf stars with cores of crystallized Carbon and Oxygen. Scientists have confirmed their existence by identifying one such stone in space, deemed as a 2500 mile wide diamond!
The various colors seen in diamonds are caused by the presence of impurities – yellow and brown colors by Nitrogen, green by irradiation and pink, red and brown by physical deformation, also referred to as plastic deformation.
The origins of the impressive Black or ‘Carbonado’ diamonds, though, are yet to be found. The many theories put forward have, (as of 2008), yet to include an acceptable explanation. Occurring in Africa and South America, these Carbonado diamonds have to pass the Kimberley Process Certification to be considered as non-conflict diamonds.
The many facets of a diamond, when cut by an expert, glitter brilliantly, and dazzle everyone. This happens because the different facets act as prisms, refracting the white light that hits them and separating it into the myriad colors found in the visible spectrum. Now you know why diamonds sparkle in so many different colors though they appear to be clear.
