1. According to a scale developed by a German scientist called Friedrich Mohs in 1812, a diamond has a hardness of 1,500 where the next hardest mineral, corundum, the next down on the scale is only 400, then Topaz at 200, and Quartz at 100.
2. A diamond can only be cut along four different lines and does not shatter or fragment, the only mineral to do so.
3. A diamond's surface repels water, but accepts wax and grease, making it easy to separate from any other matter.
4. As a result to being formed so far below the ground, under so much pressure, it's atoms are forced together far more tightly than any other gem, making it intensely dense.
The pressure force needed to form a diamond is the equivalent of the eiffel tower resting upside down on a five-inch plate.
5. The reason for the diamond's sparkle is because of their high density. It can refract light more than any other matter. Some can even change colour.
6. A colourless diamond is pure carbon. If nitrogen is added, a yellow stone is produced, boron - blue. The coloured diamonds are known to be of more value than the clear ones.
7. They have been nicknamed 'ice' because of they feel cold.
8. Some diamonds are glow-in-the-dark, they are fluorescent in ultra-violet light because they can absorb high-energy radiation and send it out again as visible light.
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Tuesday 29 June 2010
DIAMONDS - RELIGION
Diamonds are associated with wealth and royalty, with love and loyalty. They are commonly the only stones found in wedding rings for these reasons.
They were so beautiful when cut, that they were considered by many in history to be the abode of the Gods. They were used to decorate religious icons and were supersticiously seen to bring good luck to the owner in Roman times.
Hindu religion brought out laws associated with the stones, Kings were allowed to wear diamonds of all colours, Brahims (hindu priests) were allowed clear and colourless stones, Khastriyas (warriors) were allowed stones of brown and red, Vashiyas (landowners) yellow, Shudras (labourers and artisans) grey or black. Outcasts were forbidden to wear any.
They also became a Buddhist symbol of spriritual virtue, Tibetan Buddhism is even called Vajrayana (Diamond vehicle) and the Diamond Sutra is one of the most popular texts in the religion's history.
The Greeks believed they were celestial tears and the Romans that they were splinters of fallen stars.
The Romans were not too far off the truth in their description, Diamonds are usually found where meteorites have hit the earth with huge impact and intense pressure. Meteorites themselves can contain traces of diamonds, and the most ancient, remains of the death of a star, some of which are diamonds produced before the start of the solar system itself.
An extract of The Diamond Sutra...
Monday 28 June 2010
DIAMONDS - THE SCIENCE
Diamonds are made of carbon and the hardest known substance on the planet, which is why it is used mainly in industry. Each carbon atom is surrounded by four other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral co-ordination.
It has a perfect four-directional cleavage, adamantine luster and both a high-reflective index, 2.42, and specific gravity, 3.52.
The colour is diamond is usually pale yellow to completely colourless but can also be found rarely in brown, blue, green, orange, red and black.
It has a widely known reputation of being indestructible, hence the original Greek name, ADAMAS, meaning "invincible', it is where the word 'adamant' stems from.
These stones, until cut by experts look unexpectidely ordinary, but after, turn into the luxury which most people associate with the stones.
Before cutting...
After cutting...
Most diamonds are estimated to have been formed 3billion years ago, making them 3/4 of the planet's age. Some younger ones, however were only formed 100million years ago.
Most were created in molten rock, 75 to 120 miles below the surface of the Earth, then blown to the surface in volcanic erruptions, through pipes of volcanic rock known as 'Kimberlite'.
It has a perfect four-directional cleavage, adamantine luster and both a high-reflective index, 2.42, and specific gravity, 3.52.
The colour is diamond is usually pale yellow to completely colourless but can also be found rarely in brown, blue, green, orange, red and black.
It has a widely known reputation of being indestructible, hence the original Greek name, ADAMAS, meaning "invincible', it is where the word 'adamant' stems from.
These stones, until cut by experts look unexpectidely ordinary, but after, turn into the luxury which most people associate with the stones.
Before cutting...
After cutting...
Most diamonds are estimated to have been formed 3billion years ago, making them 3/4 of the planet's age. Some younger ones, however were only formed 100million years ago.
Most were created in molten rock, 75 to 120 miles below the surface of the Earth, then blown to the surface in volcanic erruptions, through pipes of volcanic rock known as 'Kimberlite'.
DIAMONDS - THE HARD FACTS
1. Diamonds were fist found in India over 4000 years ago.
2. Diamonds are mined in 25 countries and on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.
3. The top diamond-producing countries that account for 80% of the mining industry are Russia, Botswana, The Demogratic Republic of Congo, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Angola, Namibia, Ghana, Brazil, Sierra Leone and The Central Africa Republic
4. 80% of diamonds mined are used in industry, only 20% are used as gem stones.
5. A 13th Century French law proclaimed that only the King could wear diamonds.
6. Until 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, only men wore diamonds.
7. Until 2002, between 4 and 15% of diamonds came from conflict areas, these were called 'Blood Diamonds' and it is still impossible to see where a diamond is sourced, despite and internationally recognised system to control them called the Kimberly Process.
8. Americans buy approximately 50% of the worlds diamond jewellery.
9. A diamond's weight is measured in carats, a unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams.
2. Diamonds are mined in 25 countries and on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.
3. The top diamond-producing countries that account for 80% of the mining industry are Russia, Botswana, The Demogratic Republic of Congo, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Angola, Namibia, Ghana, Brazil, Sierra Leone and The Central Africa Republic
4. 80% of diamonds mined are used in industry, only 20% are used as gem stones.
5. A 13th Century French law proclaimed that only the King could wear diamonds.
6. Until 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, only men wore diamonds.
7. Until 2002, between 4 and 15% of diamonds came from conflict areas, these were called 'Blood Diamonds' and it is still impossible to see where a diamond is sourced, despite and internationally recognised system to control them called the Kimberly Process.
8. Americans buy approximately 50% of the worlds diamond jewellery.
9. A diamond's weight is measured in carats, a unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams.
DIAMONDS
Upon thinking about what is good, i glanced down to the ring on my finger I inherited from my mother and instantly thought diamonds are definitely something I think are good. But to many... they are a form of suffering, a lifetime of pain.
I find this interesting, one object with so much stigma, which portrays wealth and status, at the same time as intensive slave labour.
I want to delve into these gemstones, look at the status of them in society, the history, the labour and the use of them in industry. It is a widely known-about argument which I would like to try and settle in my own insignificant way... are they good? or are they bad?
I find this interesting, one object with so much stigma, which portrays wealth and status, at the same time as intensive slave labour.
I want to delve into these gemstones, look at the status of them in society, the history, the labour and the use of them in industry. It is a widely known-about argument which I would like to try and settle in my own insignificant way... are they good? or are they bad?
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