Diamonds

Diamonds have always exercised a special magnetism on the human race, the female of the species in particular. Their story, which I would describe as both romantic and social, is known the world over. Hardly surprising then that the diamond is the most popular gemstone of all.

Its chemical composition is simple: pure crystallized carbon referable to the cubic order of crystallography. It is formed in volcanic craters and dispersed by volcanic eruption or flooding.

There are two main varieties of diamond: mis-shapen crystals which have certain industrial applications and gem diamonds used in jewelry making.

Diamonds for industrial applications are coloured, opaque or impure. They are widely employed for drilling tools and precision instruments. Gem diamonds are pure and colourless, though the rare coloured transparent specimens are highly valued by the experts.

Techinical Specification

Name	Moh's	Specific Gravity	Structure	Cleavage	Refractive Index	Double	Disp.	Pleochro	Fluorescence
Diamond	10	3.47-3.55	Isometric	Perfect	2.417-2419	None	0.044	None	Variable