How diamonds are formed

Diamonds

Diamonds are a stone composed of free carbon, in the form of cubic crystals or their multiples, that is, crystals with eight or twelve faces, carbon atoms are formed in the form of compact cubes and arranged next to each other, and carbon by its nature contains six protons and six electrons surrounding the nucleus, four capable electrons To form very strong single bonds with other atoms to form groups with stronger bonds in what is known as the crystallization process. With this, regular crystals are formed. The ideal composition does not contain any defects such as cracks or impurities from other elements, but reality proved that there are no 100% pure stones and the less impurities, the greater the value of the stone.

There are other materials in nature that are made of concentrated carbon, such as graphite, but what distinguishes diamonds from it is its cubic crystal structure, and scientists have known the phenomenon of chemical compatibility and physical difference in the specifications of the compounds resulting from carbon union by ionization. Diamonds were famous for their hardness, strength, clarity and beauty of color characteristics and characteristics. As its hardness is the highest among all minerals 10/10 in the global Mohs scale of stones, followed by sapphires, and the Mohs scale is the scale that gives the material’s resistance to scratching.

Man has known it since ancient times, that is, thousands of years BC, but it was very difficult to obtain it, but with the scientific and technical development since the nineteenth century, the ability to produce and extract it increased.

Diamond composition

Diamonds are formed in the earth’s layers at a depth of 150 km from the surface of the earth or more, and it needs high temperatures that are derived from the molten lava in the ground, with high pressure due to the depth in which it is present, and a long period of time estimated at millions of years and other conditions. However, the cooling process must take place for a specific period of time. Diamonds emerge from the Earth’s interior to the surface with lava during the eruption of volcanoes.

Diamond extraction

Diamonds are concentrated around volcanic craters, and the largest stock of diamonds in the world is located in South Africa, and this country is to this day considered the largest producer of diamonds in the world. When diamonds are extracted from the ground, they are attached to the rocks and sand, so the treatment is done by grinding the rocks thoroughly, provided that the diamond stones are not damaged or shattered, then some chemicals are added to it that work to melt the rocks and turn them into a soft substance such as clay. The diamond remains preserving its properties, and then passes the materials in several stages to separate the rocks from the diamonds.

Diamond’s physical properties

Diamond color: It should be noted that the popular color of diamonds is transparent, colorless and white diamonds, but in fact there are diamonds in all shades of the spectrum, and the reason for the difference in color reflects the type of impurities present in the diamond stone when it is formed, the color is examined by white light, which When applied to the stone with appropriate conditions, it will reflect the true color of the stone.

Diamond weight: which is measured in carats; As one carat equals 0.2 grams, which is one-fifth of a gram.

Clarity in diamond: It is the clarity and quality of the stone in terms of the presence of internal deviations in the composition, or the presence of cracks or clouds appearing in the heart of the stone, which robs some of the clarity and clarity of the stone, and is also expressed by the impurities represented by the other minerals that make up the diamond stone that affect the visual appearance of Where the sparkle, brilliance and luster. The presence of deviations or other minerals in the stone does not mean that the stone is inferior; As there is no 100% pure diamond stone in nature, but in general, the fewer these faults, the greater the stone’s value and degree of clarity.

Diamond cutting: by this we mean is the shape of the cut in the stone oval, circular, or other?

Diamond uses

• Manufacture of jewelry and precious jewelry.
• It is used in drilling heads for water, petroleum and natural gas.
• It is involved in the manufacture of parts of medical and electronic devices.