Diamond
Diamonds are a stone consisting of free carbon, in the form of cubic crystals or their multiples, ie, eight or twelve facets. Carbon atoms are formed in the form of regular cubes next to each other. Carbon by nature contains six protons and six electrons surrounding the nucleus. To create very strong monoclonal bonds with other atoms to form groups with stronger bonds known as crystallization. Thus the regular crystals form. The ideal structure does not contain any defects such as cracks or impurities from other elements, but the reality proved that there are no stones 100% pure and the less the impurities.
There are other materials in nature made of carbon concentrates such as graphite, but what distinguishes the diamonds from the crystalline cubes, scientists have known the phenomenon of chemical compatibility and physical differences in the specifications of compounds resulting from the carbon union. In summary, the diamond is best known for its hardness, strength, clarity and beauty. Its hardness is the highest among all metals. In the international Moss scale, is followed by sapphire.
It has been known by mankind since ancient times BC, thousands of years ago, but it was very difficult to obtain it, but with the scientific and technical development since the 19th century, the ability to produce and extract it increased.
Composition of diamonds
Diamonds are formed in the earth’s layers at a depth of 150 km or above the Earth’s surface, and require high temperatures derived from soluble lava in the ground, with high pressure due to its depth and a long time span of millions of years and other conditions. But the cooling process must take place over a specified period of time. Diamonds are released from the ground to the surface with volcanic lava during volcanic eruptions.
Diamond extraction
Diamonds are located around the craters and the world’s largest diamond stockpile is located in South Africa. To this day, the country is the world’s largest producer of diamonds. When the diamond is extracted from the ground, it is attached to the rocks and sand. It is treated by grinding the rocks accurately, so that the diamond stones are not damaged or crushed. Then add some chemical substances that melt the rocks and turn them into soft matter such as clay. The diamond keeps its properties, then passes the materials in several stages to separate the rocks from the diamonds.
Physical properties of diamonds
- Diamonds: The color of diamond is transparent, colorless and white diamonds, but in fact diamonds are in all shades of the colors of the spectrum, and the reason for the difference in color reflects the quality of impurities in the diamond stone when it is made, the color is checked by white light, which when cast on the stone with appropriate conditions it will reflect the true color of the stone.
- The weight of diamonds: which is measured in carats; the carat is equal to 0.2 g or five grams.
- Clarity in diamonds: The purity and quality of the stone in terms of internal deviations in the structure, or the presence of cracks or clouds appear in the heart of the stone, stealing something of the clarity of the stone, and also expressed by the impurities of other metals that make up the diamond that affect the visual appearance of where glitter, shine and luster. There are no other stone deviations or minerals that mean the stone is poor; there is no 100% pure stone in nature, but in general, the less the defects, the more valuable the stone and its clarity.
- Cutting in diamonds: This means that the shape of the pieces in the stone is oval, circular or otherwise.
Uses of diamonds
- Manufacture of precious jewelry.
- Used in the head of the rigs for water, oil and natural gas.
- Introduces the manufacture of medical and electronic electrical parts.