DiamondsDiamonds J.D. Price

Images and much of the information here is from the American Museum of Natural History Diamond Exhibit, by Dr. George Harlow

Habit – a common natural growth geometry Trigons – the building blocks of a diamond Form

Image from Pauling, 1970 Diamond Graphite Q: What element is represented by each sphere?

Graphite - steep changes in energy for changes in pressure (dG/dP) Diamond - higher G at low pressure, but shallow dG/dP G is energy The carbon system

At P = 5 kbar

Carbon phase diagram

Diamond origins Examples of likely depths and origins for South African diamond deposits. Diamonds are formed in regions of the mantle at sufficiently high pressure. Diamonds may originate from even deeper sources in the mantle

This volcanic structure is a diatreme The only locality to let you dig for your own diamonds: Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas Diatreme

White dwarf BPM size of the earth White dwarves are burned-out sun- sized stars Core is carbon, formed as the end product of fusion Metalfe et al, 2004 concluded from astroseismic measurements that it is 90% solid (5 E 29 kg or 1 E 34 Carats) Diamonds in space

Diamonds were first discovered in India around 500 B.C. These were first weighed relative to the weight of a seed from the seed pod of the carob tree. 1 ct = 200 mg Carat

Archon – 3.7 to 2.5 Ga, Proton – Ga, Tecton - younger Diamondiferous material hosts

Modern diamond production

1.Cullinan - 3, carats , South Africa 2.Excelsior ct , South Africa 3.Star of Sierra Leone ct , Sierra Leone 4.Zale ct , Africa 5.Great Mogul ct , India 6.Woyie River ct , Sierra Leone 7.Presidente Vargas ct , Brazil 8.Jonker ct , South Africa 9.Reitz ct , South Africa 10.Unnamed ct , South Africa 3K carats = 600 g = 1.3 lbs Largest Uncut Stones

The big hole, Kimberly, SA Mirny, Siberia d=525m Ekati, NWT Mining

Separating

Abrasion (stone cutting, polishing) Jewelry Experimentation Uses for diamond

Gem stones are valued by four basic criteria 1.Color 2.Cut 3.Clarity 4.Carat weight If you ever decide to seriously buy a gem stone – get a 10x or better hand lens! #1 rule: in most cases you get what you pay for. 4C’s

Color is an important factor in the purchase of a diamond and can affect the price by 2- 10% per letter* Color

Colored stones are not popular in the US, but are heavily marketed in South America and Europe “Fancy diamonds”

Cut refers to shape, but its not necessarily the style that influences diamond cost Cut

Cutting

Cut is so important to the value of a diamond that it can affect the value by 25% to over 50%. Cut: the behavior of light A missed cut sends makes light reflect, and diamond loses brilliance A perfect cut sends makes light refract to the table, and diamond gains brilliance

Clarity is a rarity factor that affects diamond value by % for each increment on the AGS diamond grading scale. In most diamonds purchased by consumers, the diamond has few to no features noticeable to the unaided eye. Clarity

In the early 1900's the Metric Carat was established. 1 Carat = 0.2 gram Full Carat: A diamond that weighs or rounds to 1.00 Carat. Light Carat: A diamond that weighs slightly less than 1.00 Carat. Example This IS NOT a full Carat. Diamonds in this range are priced less. Magic Sizes: Diamonds that weigh-in exactly at or greater than a major size category. Each major size category marks a greater degree of rarity, and commands a higher price. Q: which of the four c’s are nature’s doing, and which are the gemologist’s doing? Carat

Today industrial (small unclear) diamonds are readily synthesized – gem quality is a little more difficult An early GE diamond making press Synthesis

Gemisis Lifegem Apollo Diamondview Spectrometer (tool to separate out synthetics) Adia Not pictured Tairus - Russian NAS and Thai venture

Moissanite SiC Similar refractive properties Very hard (but not as hard as diamond) Absorbs more UV radiation Not combustible Q: Why the similar structure for diamond and moissanite (hint: look at the periodic table)? Substitutes

Cubic Zirconia ZrO Similar refractive properties Hard (but not as hard as diamond) – rounded points Not as conductive Not combustible Q: What is non-scientific amount the cut stone diamond market (if a CZ or Moissonite gives the same brilliance, then why are diamonds so expensive)?