The fact that the first. The paradox is that diamonds are composed of carbon, just like graphite pencils or coal. At the same time, diamond has the highest hardness – 10 points on the scale of moss, and graphite – the smallest – 1. This surprising fact is explained by the different spatial arrangement of the carbon atoms in these two minerals. In the diamond having a cubic crystal structure, each carbon atom is surrounded by four such atoms, forming a regular four-sided pyramid. These strong chemical bonds between symmetrically arranged atoms explain the high hardness of diamond. Graphite has a layered structure, where the relationship between the separate layers is very weak, therefore, adjacent layers can easily slide relative to each other.
The fact of the second. According to scientists, all the diamonds were formed from billions of years ago to one hundred million years ago! At that time in the depths of the Earth the temperature was much higher than now, and the rocks were in liquid state. The earth gradually cooled down, this liquid mass exposed to terrible pressure from vswobozdauschego heat. This resulted in a specific crystalline structure. One of them became the diamonds — crystals of the chemical element carbon. Two of the most interesting features of diamond is its hardness and luster.
The third fact. After spending billions of years at great depths, diamonds brought to the surface by kimberlite magma during volcanic explosions, forming a primary diamond deposits – kimberlite pipes. The first of these tubes was discovered in southern Africa in the province of Kimberley, on behalf of the province and became known kimberlite pipe, rock containing precious diamonds – kimberlite. Today worldwide found thousands of kimberlite pipes, but only a few dozen of them are commercially diamondiferous, in which cost-effective to carry out extraction.
The fact the fourth. Currently, diamonds mined from two types of fields: root (kimberlite and lamproite pipes) and secondary – placers. The first diamonds were discovered in India before our era, placers, and developed over many centuries. The legendary Golconda mines have given the world almost all well-known from ancient times diamonds like "Kohinoor", "Shakh", "Orlov" and others. By the eighteenth century Indian mines were depleted, and the country lost its leadership in the supply of diamonds to the world market. But the "diamond rush" began to encompass other countries and continents. In 1725, placer deposits were discovered in Brazil, and for more than a century the center of world diamond production has shifted to South America. The vast majority of Brazilian diamonds is a first — class crystals of the highest quality. Brazilian diamonds are small, although there are also large. The world's most famous six of them: the "Star of the South", "Star of Egypt", "Star of Minas", "Minas Gerais", "English Dresden diamond" and "President Vargas". Brazil's leadership in diamond production lasted a relatively short time. In 1867, in South Africa, on the banks of the Orange river was the first diamond was found, which changed the course of the development of the South African government, and subsequently many African countries. From this moment begins the era of development and exploration of indigenous diamond deposits associated with Africa.
The fact of the fifth. For many centuries the diamond was considered the hardest mineral on the planet. The ancient Chinese several thousand years ago, even used a diamond for polishing ceremonial axes, which are in turn made of corundum. But progress does not stand still, and scientists, thanks to nanotechnology and advanced materials, has created a substance that is 11% larger than the hardness of diamond. The new material is called "hiperlan".
The fact of the sixth. Even when scientists created the "hiperlan" natural diamond remains to be considered the hardest natural mineral. However, it was rarely openly a naturally occurring compound called "Lonsdale", which is the same as diamond, composed of carbon atoms, but 58% is a harder mineral than diamond. This rare mineral "Lonsdale" is formed of two component: the fall of a meteorite graphite and the second, "wurzite boron nitride" is born during the eruption of the volcano. Now diamonds can draw pictures!
The fact of the seventh. Diamonds are found in the Universe. In 2004 was discovered a huge diamond, weighing in at several trillion carats, which were once the core of the extinguished star.
The fact of the eighth. Until recently, synthetic diamonds pouring in, it was easy to distinguish from natural gemstones. Any competent jeweler could do it. However, over the past ten years, diamond technology improved so much that scientists can grow gems are virtually indistinguishable from the natural. There remains a lot of experts who can distinguish the jewelry inserts of natural diamonds from artificial? Who knows, maybe the artificially grown diamond of excellent quality has slowly sold at a price of natural diamonds?
The fact of the ninth. Today get artificial diamonds? Jewelry are often used jewelry faux diamonds from oxides of zirconium and hafnium, in particular, the cubic Zirconia, which is much cheaper than natural stones, but certainly inferior in hardness and luster. On the physical properties and chemical composition of artificially produced diamonds are different from natural gemstones. To recognize such a stone without special equipment, quite a magnifier and some experience stone immediately will give the metallic inclusions on the surface and yellowish face. Knowing that synthetic diamonds have enhanced magnetic properties, it is also possible to distinguish an artificial stone from natural gemstone, having under it a magnet: an artificial diamond will move with the magnet. Diamonds are composed of crystalline carbon, and therefore, it is possible to artificially obtain these stones, moreover, that technological progress does not stand still, and currently being developed by the Gemological equipment for these purposes. Technology LifeGem diamonds can be processed even human remains that are rich in carbon. For this they are heated to a high temperature and then compressed under high pressure. The crystals are then treated and get diamonds, which are then used in jewelry. The Chinese developed a method of obtaining artificial diamonds using carbon dioxide and potassium metal. However, the size of created stones does not exceed 1.2 mm. However, active work on the development and modification of equipment to obtain larger samples. Another way of creating artificial diamond – pressing diamond dust, which is formed as a result of processing and cutting of diamonds. Such diamonds are very short-lived: they can be broken like glass.