DIAMOND
Diamond is one of the most prized and popular gemstones in the world. It is a form of pure carbon that crystallizes in the isometric system, giving it a unique and brilliant appearance. Diamonds are known for their incredible hardness and durability, which make them suitable for use in jewellery and a variety of industrial applications.
Heritage
Diamonds have been valued for their beauty and rarity for thousands of years. In ancient times, diamonds were used as talismans and believed to have magical properties. They were also used for cutting and engraving due to their hardness. Diamonds were first mined in India over 2,000 years ago, and were prized by kings and royalty for their beauty and rarity.
Physical Properties
Diamond has a chemical composition of pure carbon (C) and a cubic crystal system. It is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale with a score of 10, making it extremely difficult to scratch. Diamond also has a high refractive index, which gives it its distinctive sparkle and brilliance. It has a specific gravity of 3.52 and a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale.
Colour
Diamonds come in a variety of colours, including white, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink, red, and black. The colour of a diamond is determined by the presence of trace elements or structural defects within the crystal lattice. White diamonds, which are the most common, are prized for their colourlessness and sparkle. Coloured diamonds, such as pink, blue, and yellow, are more rare and valuable.
Treatment
Diamonds can be treated to enhance their colour or clarity. Common treatments includes "clarity enhancement," which involves filling in surface-reaching fractures with a glass-like substance. This treatment can improve the diamond's clarity, but it is not permanent and can be affected by heat or chemicals.
Another common treatment is HPHT (high pressure high temperature) treatment is a method of enhancing the colour and clarity of diamonds by subjecting them to extreme heat and pressure in a laboratory setting. This treatment involves placing a diamond in a special press and subjecting it to pressures of up to 60,000 atmospheres and temperatures of up to 2,200 degrees Celsius. During the HPHT process, impurities and inclusions within the diamond are either dissolved or transformed, resulting in an improved appearance. HPHT treatment can be used to remove or reduce the visibility of inclusions, as well as to enhance or change the colour of a diamond.
Irradiation treatment is a method of enhancing the colour of diamonds by subjecting them to high-energy radiation, such as gamma rays or electrons, in a controlled laboratory environment. This treatment can produce a wide range of colours, including blue, green, yellow, and pink. During the irradiation process, the diamond is placed in a special chamber and exposed to the radiation source for a predetermined amount of time. This causes the diamond's atomic structure to be altered, resulting in the desired colour change. In some cases, the irradiated diamond may undergo additional treatments such as high temperature or annealing to further enhance the colour.
Geographic Origin
Diamonds are found in mines all over the world, including in Africa, Australia, Canada, Russia, and South America. The largest diamond mine in the world is the Jwaneng mine in Botswana, which produces over 10 million carats of diamonds per year. The diamond trade is highly regulated, and many countries have strict laws in place to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds, also known as "blood diamonds."
Synthetic
Synthetic diamonds are man-made diamonds that are produced in a laboratory setting using advanced technological processes. Unlike natural diamonds, which are formed over millions of years deep within the earth's mantle, synthetic diamonds are created in a matter of weeks or months using high pressure and high temperature or chemical vapor deposition methods. These synthetic diamonds have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds, making them virtually indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye. They are also just as hard and durable as natural diamonds, which makes them suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
Others
Diamonds are primarily used in jewellery, including engagement rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. They are also used in industrial applications, such as in cutting tools and abrasive materials. Due to their hardness and durability, diamonds are ideal for use in high-pressure and high-temperature environments. Diamonds are also used in scientific research, as they can be used to create pressure in a laboratory setting. Finally, diamonds are sometimes used as an investment, as they hold their value well over time.