Diamonds

Diamonds happen to be some of the most interesting substances to exist on this planet. The peculiar physical properties of diamonds set them apart from most other substances, while their dazzling beauty and rareness grant them a high value, at least in the human society. Diamonds are one kind of gemstone that is used not only in jewellery, but also for more practical applications such as in the production of cutting implements, for example.

The peculiar physical and chemical properties of Diamonds owe themselves directly to its chemical and crystalline structure. Not only are diamonds chemically inert, but also happen to be the hardest substance to have been encountered by mankind. The crystalline structure is tetrahedral as well as isometric, thus being nearly indestructible. Such a crystalline structure possess can be achieved only at ultra-high pressures. Diamonds are, therefore, formed hundreds of miles beneath the Earth’s surface.

The name “Diamond” is derived from a Greek word which signifies the unconquerable. The name itself, therefore, signifies the hardness and durability of diamonds. A commonly applied test to check whether some given samples of diamonds are counterfeit is to attempt to scratch a sheet of glass with them. Being harder than glass, a diamond would scratch the surface without much difficulty. Diamonds are, therefore, also used in heavy-duty drilling equipment used in mining. Diamond-tipped drilling equipments generally employ an inferior variety of the diamond called “carbonado”.

The reason why colour is often a factor in determining the value of certain diamonds lies in the fact that diamonds of certain colours can be rarer than those of other colours. The pink diamond, possibly the rarest, is also the most expensive variety so far as the criterion of colour is concerned. Colourless ones are the next most valuable variety. The value of a coloured diamond is by and large determined by how intense its colour is. The green and black varieties are generally not used in the production of jewellery.

The value of a diamonds can be affected in many ways by the mines from which it originates. This is because certain mines that primarily provide diamonds of one particular colour can grant tinges of that colour to the diamonds of other colours that are also produced there. For example, the Argyle mines, famous for the pink diamond, also produce colourless diamonds having a slightly pinkish tinge. These are considered to be more valuable than other colourless varieties.

Diamonds have always been favoured very highly when it comes to the manufacture of jewellery. The fact that properly cut diamonds with a high carat value, a desirable colour and impeccable clarity can be quite expensive has not deterred buyers one bit from making this stone their top choice while purchasing jewellery. It is hard to conceive now that diamonds really comprise the same element as coal, along with other elements including nitrogen. Nevertheless, it is highly likely that the exceptional properties of diamonds will continue to be favoured by human society for generations to come.