|
Being the hardest natural element known on Earth, diamonds are good for a wide variety of uses. However, although they can be used to conduct heat, they are not very good as a conductor of electricity. There are some rare forms though, known as type IIB that can be used as semiconductors.Being the hardest natural element known on Earth, diamonds are good for a wide variety of uses. However, although they can be used to conduct heat, they are not very good as a conductor of electricity. There are some rare forms though, known as type IIB that can be used as semiconductors.
Diamonds are formed from carbon that is held deep in the Earth under great pressure and heat. The altered carbon is then forced up to the surface from the mantle in a uniqe form of magma called kimberlite which erupts from diatreme and pipe volcanic vents.
Due to the tightly compacted atoms and electrons in the composition of a diamond, it has the ability to reduce the velocity of light that passes through it. This is what gives a diamond its unique lustre.
It was not until 1796 that people found out diamonds were a form of carbon, and it was over 150 years later that finally a method of synthesising diamonds was created.
As there is nothing tougher than a diamond, it is the only thing that can be used to cut another diamond. Because of this, it is used heavily in the industrial sector for cutting, polishing, grinding and drilling. The majority of industrial rock drills have diamond tips. Diamonds are no longer just used in the industrial sector since they are now becoming a more popular material used in home electronics, appliances, and automobiles.
Diamonds are also very popular as jewellery as they portray a classic look in design. Diamond jewellery is used throughout all forms of celebration from weddings, engagements, anniversaries and even sometimes for awards ceremonies.
Since gold needs to be of a certain hardness to set diamonds into, diamond jewellery is generally made from 18 carat gold.
The romantic tradition of giving diamond rings as tokens of love and commitment began in the 15th century when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring on their engagement. Since then diamonds are always projected as symbols of love, joy and romance. In fact all diamond jewelry is generally treasured as a symbol of Everlasting Love and Perfection. Diamonds are also a traditional and conspicuous signal of achievement, status and success.
Carat is the size or weight measurement of the diamond and unlike gold is not simply so much per carat. Diamond prices vary considerably according to the 3 Cs. These are color, clarity and cut.
Diamonds often contain other elements that can affect the color and those that are colorless are more valued than those that have color. Although how a diamond is cut is the only human contribution to a diamond's beauty it is one of the most important as it is responsible for its brilliance. Cutting colored diamonds is different from clear ones, because the ultimate goal is maximizing the color. Cutting can be performed with deep, shallow or with perfect length.
The reflectance that is shown with a diamond is called an 'adamantine' lustre. However, if you continually polish a diamond the adamantine properties gradually diminish and the diamond will lose its lustre.
Being the hardest natural element known on Earth, diamonds are good for a wide variety of uses. However, although they can be used to conduct heat, they are not very good as a conductor of electricity. There are some rare forms though, known as type IIB that can be used as semiconductors.Being the hardest natural element known on Earth, diamonds are good for a wide variety of uses. However, although they can be used to conduct heat, they are not very good as a conductor of electricity. There are some rare forms though, known as type IIB that can be used as semiconductors.
Diamonds are formed from carbon that is held deep in the Earth under great pressure and heat. The altered carbon is then forced up to the surface from the mantle in a uniqe form of magma called kimberlite which erupts from diatreme and pipe volcanic vents.
Due to the tightly compacted atoms and electrons in the composition of a diamond, it has the ability to reduce the velocity of light that passes through it. This is what gives a diamond its unique lustre.
It was not until 1796 that people found out diamonds were a form of carbon, and it was over 150 years later that finally a method of synthesising diamonds was created.
As there is nothing tougher than a diamond, it is the only thing that can be used to cut another diamond. Because of this, it is used heavily in the industrial sector for cutting, polishing, grinding and drilling. The majority of industrial rock drills have diamond tips. Diamonds are no longer just used in the industrial sector since they are now becoming a more popular material used in home electronics, appliances, and automobiles.
Diamonds are also very popular as jewellery as they portray a classic look in design. Diamond jewellery is used throughout all forms of celebration from weddings, engagements, anniversaries and even sometimes for awards ceremonies.
Since gold needs to be of a certain hardness to set diamonds into, diamond jewellery is generally made from 18 carat gold.
The romantic tradition of giving diamond rings as tokens of love and commitment began in the 15th century when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring on their engagement. Since then diamonds are always projected as symbols of love, joy and romance. In fact all diamond jewelry is generally treasured as a symbol of Everlasting Love and Perfection. Diamonds are also a traditional and conspicuous signal of achievement, status and success.
Carat is the size or weight measurement of the diamond and unlike gold is not simply so much per carat. Diamond prices vary considerably according to the 3 Cs. These are color, clarity and cut.
Diamonds often contain other elements that can affect the color and those that are colorless are more valued than those that have color. Although how a diamond is cut is the only human contribution to a diamond's beauty it is one of the most important as it is responsible for its brilliance. Cutting colored diamonds is different from clear ones, because the ultimate goal is maximizing the color. Cutting can be performed with deep, shallow or with perfect length.
The reflectance that is shown with a diamond is called an 'adamantine' lustre. However, if you continually polish a diamond the adamantine properties gradually diminish and the diamond will lose its lustre.
|
