Being the hardest natural element known on Earth, diamonds are good for a wide variety of uses. However, although they can be used to conduct heat, they are not very good as a conductor of electricity. There are some rare forms though, known as type IIB that can be used as semiconductors.
Diamonds are formed from carbon that is held deep in the Earth under great pressure and heat. The altered carbon is then forced up to the surface from the mantle in a uniqe form of magma called kimberlite which erupts from diatreme and pipe volcanic vents.
The strongly bonded electrons and the compact arrangement of its atoms account for the remarkable reduction of the velocity of light through its mass thus giving a diamond its appeal.
It was not until 1796 that people found out diamonds were a form of carbon, and it was over 150 years later that finally a method of synthesising diamonds was created.
Due to the toughness of a diamond, only a diamond can cut other diamonds. However, due to its tough nature, it has many industrial uses from cutting and polishing to grinding and is heavily used in the production of industrial rock drills. Although mainly used in the industrial sector, diamond is also a high-tech material that is beginning to be used more often in home electronics, appliances, and automobiles.
Diamonds are also one of the most popular stones used in jewellery. Jewellery made from diamond is deemed to be classic jewellery and is used from weddings, engagements, anniversaries, right down to celebrity award ceremonies.
Since gold needs to be of a certain hardness to set diamonds into, diamond jewellery is generally made from 18 carat gold.
Diamonds have been recognised as a symbol of love, joy and romance since the 15th Century. This all came from a romantic gesture by Archduke Maximilian of Austria giving Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring on their engagement. Since this time, all forms of diamond jewellery have been deemed to show everlasting love and affection. Diamonds are also used to portray great wealth, status and success and are worn to show this.
Like gold, diamonds are measured by the carat. However, unlike gold, there are 3 other deciding factors on how much a diamond is worth. These factors are color, clarity and cut.
There are often impurities in diamonds that cause them to have a hint of color rather than being clear. These diamonds are generally less expensive than a clear diamond, however, depending on their cut may still demand a reasonable price. Cutting colored diamonds requires that the diamond is cut to enhance the color. In the case of a clear diamond, it can be cut with a deep cut, shallow cut or perfect length. This is the only human contribution that helps determine the price of the diamond.
The reflectance that is shown with a diamond is called an 'adamantine' lustre. However, if you continually polish a diamond the adamantine properties gradually diminish and the diamond will lose its lustre.
