Diamonds: features and curiosities
Our journey into the world of precious stones continues, speaking of the gem par excellence: the diamond! We have already learned a little about this indestructible mineral in this article and this article. Today we will discover the diamond and its features and curiosities!
The name and the history
The word diamond comes from the Greek αδαμας (adamas), which means indestructible, just or unchanging. The Arabs called this precious gem almas, the Hindus vira, from the Sanskrit vajira, which meant lightning. The diamond was also given the epithet "fragment of eternity".
Diamonds are a material coming from the bowels of our planet: those coming from the greatest depths, according to scholars. They are considered in fact a window to the center of the Earth. They do not only have an inestimable economic value, but also a very high scientific potential, because they are able to tell many things about the evolution of the planet.
More than 90% of the diamonds currently existing formed between 1 and 3 billion years ago, at a depth of 150-200 km. The remaining percentage would instead come from the so-called "transition zone", between 600 and 2900 km deep: these are called "superdeep diamonds".
What is it made of?
Diamonds are, in scientific terms, crystal lattices of carbon atoms, arranged in a tetrahedral, octahedral or hexoctahedral structure. Too complicated? In essence: the diamond is made of carbon which, subjected to enormous pressures, crystallizes, giving life to an inexhaustible mineral, formed over millions of years. The crystals, which form in the depths of the Earth, are brought to the surface through a rock called kimberlite, which encloses them and rises to the surface through volcanic conduits (which will therefore become primary deposits). The kimberlite can then be crumbled, releasing the diamonds into the so-called secondary deposits.
Where is it found?
The diamond-producing country par excellence is India, mostly in the city of Surat, where millions of diamonds are cut and polished. Following are Botswana, Russia, Angola, Canada, Congo, Brazil and South Africa. Australia, on the other hand, was a great producer in the past. The main trading center is Antwerp, in Belgium, where since the fifteenth century an innovative technique has been applied to polish and shape the gems.
Some very small diamonds have also been found in meteorites fallen to Earth. Scholars believe that impacts of large meteorites may have produced many of the diamonds currently present.
Its characteristics
Not all diamonds are the same! To differentiate them, they are classified based on 4 "c's": carats, cut, colour and clarity. Carats are the measure of a diamond's mass. Clarity refers to the internal flaws a diamond may have, called "inclusions". The colour can vary, but the diamond par excellence is completely colourless. As for the cut, it describes the way the diamond has been refined from its rough form.
We will return to these characteristics, which deserve a separate in-depth look, in upcoming articles. Stay tuned!
Some little curiosities
Diamonds have always been considered precious stones of inestimable value. The first references to the diamond are recorded in India, where important cultural references remain to this day, for their therapeutic and propitiatory use. Diamonds are mentioned in the writings of Pliny, Ptolemy and Marco Polo. They have always been a powerful talisman against evil, if purified: diamonds drive away the devil, who fears them because they remind him of his fall. In the Middle Ages they were considered amulets capable of bringing love into one's life, if worn as rings for at least 7 days.
Today the most common use of the diamond is in the engagement ring. But did you know that this custom is actually very recent? Since the mid-twentieth century, in fact, thanks to an advertising campaign by De Beers, the leading diamond trading company, these precious minerals became the symbol of eternal love par excellence.
And then, as everyone knows, they have also become every woman’s best friends!
See you here again very soon, with many more curiosities!
