Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend!

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend!
The formation of diamonds occur deep underground in the earth’s mantle under extreme pressure and high temperatures on carbon containing materials. These diamonds are natural uplifted by volcanoes that have erupted. Diamonds that are man-made are also created by using carbon containing materials under high temperatures but are inserted in such molten metals as nickel and iron. The diamonds will crystallize or form crystals inside the molten metals because they are more stable at higher temperatures. A pure and genuine diamond has no color and if a diamond does have a color it is due to an impurity such as a mixture with another substance. The colors we can see on a diamond are a reflection of lights around it. The diamond absorbs the lights, which are then internalized and dispersed as different hues or colors. Although diamonds absorb and reflect light easily they do not conduct electricity very sufficiently. They remain very cool and can be tested for their authenticity by this.

Crystallize- to form crystals

Molten- changed into a liquid form by heat

Graphite- a soft dark carbon that conducts electricity, occurs naturally as a mineral, and is also produced industrially. Use: batteries, lubricants, polishes, electric motors, nuclear reactors, carbon fibers, pencil lead.

Interconvert- the mutual conversion or two or more things

Diamonds have very distinct and distinct characteristics which probably makes them so valuable in the world. Synthetic diamonds seem as though they would not be as valued as naturally occurring diamonds, which leads me to wonder if the marketing for each are different. I also question what they do with impure diamonds. Their ability to reflect up to one sixth of the surrounding light, which gives it a very appealing look. What can I say that is probably why they are a girl’s best friend!

Baird, C., The Formation and Color of Diamonds, Chemistry in Your Life 2nd Ed.,W.H. Freeman and Company, 2006. P. 195-196.