Diamond

Diamond
History: The mention of the word diamond is enough to bring a smile to a

person's face, and especially to those of the feminine gender. It's beautiful
sparkle and excellent luster has made it the most prized gemstone among all
strata of society, and to have a diamond in one's jewelry box is often seen as
an indication of a person's monetary worth. The great value attached to
diamond can be seen from the fact that the money spent in purchasing
diamonds worldwide is far greater than that spent on purchasing all other
gemstones put together.
Diamonds are created deep within the earth's crust, about hundred miles
below the surface, where the temperature and pressure is extremely high.
Due to the volcanic eruptions the stones come to the earth’s surface in
mantle rock known as xenoliths, from where they are mined.
Diamonds are graded into two kinds, those valued for their beauty as
gemstones and the ones which have only the quality of hardness and are
lacking in colour and clarity. These are used in industry.
Diamond is a chemically resistant stone and due to this its application in
industry is also widespread especially as a cutting tool.
Chemical Composition: It is made up of carbon, and in the diamond each
carbon atom is surrounded by four other carbon atoms by strong covalent
bonds. This simple bonded arrangement has created one of the strongest
known substances known to man.
Physical Properties: It has a hardness of 10 on the Moh’s scale, with a
specific gravity of 3.5 - 3.6. Its crystal system is isometric and it has perfect
cleavage. It is a transparent stone with an adamantine luster, which is the
highest rated for nonmetallic minerals.
Color: Gem quality diamonds are generally colorless with some yellow tints
being permissible. In the modern times tough, the red, yellow, purple, green
and even blue variety, which are called “fancy diamonds” are gaining in
popularity.
Cut: Diamonds can be appropriated in any shapes, from round, oval,
Princess cut, cushion cut, Emerald cut, squares, Marquise and pear cuts. The
faceting of the stone is a very important component since it is this which
enhances the reflective quality as well as the stones luster and fire.
Carat: Diamonds are available in all sizes, from the smallest to the biggest
and some of the most famous items of jewelry in the world are adorned by
exceptionally big sizes and are considered as national treasures. Among
these are the crown jewels of British monarchs, which featured the Kohinoor
and the star of Africa, some of the most famous diamonds in the world.
Clarity: A good diamond should be flawless, without any inclusions or
internal flaws, since this will impact the beauty of the stone by interfering
with the passage of light through it. Large number of inclusions impacts the
strength of the stone, rendering it susceptible to scratches.
Price: The price of a diamond depends upon the 4 C’s that is, cut, clarity,
colour and carat. Depending upon these factors diamonds are graded and
priced accordingly, and hence there is a great divide between the best and
worst qualities of the stone. A stone of a certain size with brilliant cut,
colour, no inclusions, would be priced extremely higher than one which is of
a rejection quality. Worldwide, diamond prices are fixed according to the
Rapaport sheet, which sets the industry guidelines for price.
Producers: Diamonds are sourced from various countries around the world.
Some of the most important producers of diamonds are the African nations
of Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra
Leone, Botswana, Liberia, and South Africa. It is also extensively founded in
Russia, China, India, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela and Canada.
Simulants: Being an extremely expensive stone and one that is prized by
collectors and laymen alike, it is but natural for this gemstone to have many
others parading as the original. Some of the most common simulants of the
diamond are the cubic zirconia, synthetic spinel; glass or what is known as
paste, colorless synthetic corundum, Strontium Titanate and Yttrium
Aluminum Garnet (YAG).
Trivia: The diamond is valued for its propensity to bring about excellence in
the wearer by making the person achievement oriented with a tendency to
excel in whatever one does. It increases the energy levels of the person
wearing it but the downside to it is that it amplifies energy, regardless of
being positive or negative. It is supposed to clear blocked energy channels
and move a person towards more productivity. In the realm of physical
healing, it is associated with helping those suffering from glaucoma and also
as a stimulant for the brain.
Mary, Queen of Scots, carried a large diamond with her as protection from
poisoning.

Diamond - Fair 22.07.09

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History: The mention of the word diamond is enough to bring a smile to a

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