Chemistry+of+Diamonds

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=__Diamond Background__= Diamonds are one of the worlds most precious gems. Composed of only the element Carbon, the diamond is the hardest natural substance in the world. Culturally, the diamond is seen as a symbol of purity, royalty and everlasting love. This stone is also the birthstone for the Month of April. Diamonds are mined in 25 countries throughout the world. Click [|here] to see a map of diamond deposits worldwide.

=__Chemical Composition and Construction__= The Diamond is the hardest natural substance raking 10 out of 10 on the hardness scale. Like graphite, is composed solely of carbon. These two minerals, despite their similar elemental characteristics, are very difference in their physical properties. Graphite is soft and dull while the diamond is hard and lustrous.The physical properties of the Diamond are a result of it's atomic structure. The arrangement of the carbon atoms in a diamond is very sturdy. All of the atoms are equidistant and held together by strong bonds. Although the mineral graphite is also composed of the single element carbon, its atomic structure results in physical properties extremely different than a diamond's. Click [|here] to rotate the atomic structure of the diamond and compare it to that of graphite. One reason for the contrasting physical properties of graphite and diamonds is the the way in which they are formed. Diamonds are formed deep under the Earth's surface under immense heat and pressure. Under these conditions is the diamond's [|lattice], or atomic structure, formed. Scientists believe that volcanoes are responsible for bringing diamonds to the surface. Violent eruptions unearthed diamonds so fast that their atomic structures remained stable. Instead of turning to graphite, they have become what we have come to know as diamonds. Another reason for the contrasting physical properties of graphite and diamonds is their atomic structures. Graphite is composed of layers held together by dispersion forces. Dispersion forces are weak attractions between molecules. In graphite, each carbon atom has only three bonds. On the other hand, the atomic structure of diamonds contains no dispersion forces. Each carbon atom has 4 bonds creating a strong and sturdy structure.

__Physical Properties Diamonds__
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=__Importance__= Developments have come to make diamonds more appealing. An article from [|Science Daily] explains that scientists have discovered a way to produce synthetic diamonds. Although these diamonds are man made, they maintain the chemical and structural integrity of a natural diamond. They start with a diamond 'seed', or a sample of a genuine diamond that that is the template around which the synthetic diamond grows. Scientists have even been able to create colored diamonds by carefully incorporating chemical impurities during the process.

Eighty percent of diamonds mined annually are used in industry. Because of their hardness, diamonds in the industry have three primary roles**:** they are used as a cutting tools, embedded in other materials and used as tools or abrasives, and they are turned to powder or paste for grinding and polishing. ** **

Diamonds are often used in research instruments as windows because of their transparency and thermal conductivity. The Diamond Anvil Shell is an instrument that uses diamonds to study substances at high pressures. Since the atomic structure of the diamond is so sturdy, diamonds can withstand immense pressure. This is why they are used in observing substances under high pressures.

Famous Diamond: The Hope Diamond
One famous diamond is the Hope Diamond. This is now kept in the Smithsonian Museum in New York. The Hope Diamond has quite a history.

This diamond was first discovered in India weighing in at 112 carats. It was then presented to King Louis XIV in 1668. Years later, it wax cut into a 67 carat heart shape. In 1792, during the French Revolution, the gem was stolen. In 1812, it was again discovered this time weighting only 45.5 carats. In 1820, it was presented to King George IV. When King George died, Henry Hope, a banker bought the gem and it it was named shortly thereafter.

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