| There are perhaps no two substances more | | | | diamonds is subjected to pressures of up to |
| different visually or symbolically than | | | | 882,000 pounds per square inch - over 440 |
| diamonds and lumps of coal. However, diamonds | | | | tons. Furthermore, the temperatures that |
| and coal are virtually identical from a | | | | cause this transformation into white and |
| chemical and geological standpoint. The | | | | colored diamonds is over 800 hotter than the |
| important difference is that the former are | | | | furnaces that are required in the melting and |
| not only pleasing to the eye and symbolic as | | | | manufacture of steel. |
| jewelry, they are an excellent investment - | | | | |
| and useful in industrial machinery as well. | | | | Such temperatures and pressures only occur |
| | | | naturally deep under the earth's surface - so |
| Of course, gem grade stones are quite | | | | deep that even the deepest diamond mines can |
| different - and far more valuable - than | | | | only reach these precious stones that have |
| industrial grade. In fact, four fifths of all | | | | been brought close to the surface through |
| that are mined are deemed unsuitable for | | | | tremendous geological activity. This is one |
| diamond jewelry, and thus are used for | | | | reason that they are found primarily in the |
| industrial applications - primarily in | | | | Great Rift Valley of Africa and in the |
| activities that require cutting, drilling, | | | | Himalayan foothills where the Indian |
| grinding and polishing. | | | | subcontinent plows into Asia. |
| | | | |
| Since the 1950s, scientists have actually | | | | These conditions have been replicable in the |
| been able to manufacture artificial diamonds | | | | laboratory for over half a century; however, |
| in laboratories as well. This has to do with | | | | natural and artificial diamonds each have |
| the similarity between these and coal, the | | | | their own unique flaws, which are detectable |
| difference between which is more of degree | | | | by trained, professional gemologists. |
| than process. Both are made of carbon that | | | | |
| has been subjected to heat and pressure. What | | | | One difference has to do with color as well; |
| happens is that diamonds are subject to much | | | | natural colored diamonds are not terribly |
| greater amounts of both - as much as 60,000 | | | | uncommon, and come in a wide range of hues. |
| times that of normal air pressure at sea | | | | Some of these color variations can add |
| level, and up to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | tremendous value to a gem. Loose diamonds |
| | | | made artificially are almost always of the |
| To put this into perspective, the pressure of | | | | white variety; colored stones make up only |
| the air we live in is about 14.7 pounds per | | | | one in every ten thousand. When purchasing |
| square inch. At 1083 feet below the sea's | | | | loose diamonds whether as an investment or |
| surface (the current scuba diving record), | | | | for use in jewelry, make sure that such |
| the pressure is over 482 pounds per square | | | | diamonds have been certified by an |
| inch. Carbon that is transformed into | | | | independent gemology professional. |