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How Diamonds are Formed

There are perhaps no two substances morediamonds is subjected to pressures of up
different visually or symbolically thanto 882,000 pounds per square inch - over
diamonds and lumps of coal. However,440 tons. Furthermore, the temperatures
diamonds and coal are virtuallythat cause this transformation into
identical from a chemical and geologicalwhite and colored diamonds is over 800
standpoint. The important difference ishotter than the furnaces that are
that the former are not only pleasing torequired in the melting and manufacture
the eye and symbolic as jewelry, theyof steel.
are an excellent investment - and usefulSuch temperatures and pressures only
in industrial machinery as well.occur naturally deep under the earth's
Of course, gem grade stones are quitesurface - so deep that even the deepest
different - and far more valuable - thandiamond mines can only reach these
industrial grade. In fact, four fifthsprecious stones that have been brought
of all that are mined are deemedclose to the surface through tremendous
unsuitable for diamond jewelry, and thusgeological activity. This is one reason
are used for industrial applications -that they are found primarily in the
primarily in activities that requireGreat Rift Valley of Africa and in the
cutting, drilling, grinding andHimalayan foothills where the Indian
polishing.subcontinent plows into Asia.
Since the 1950s, scientists haveThese conditions have been replicable in
actually been able to manufacturethe laboratory for over half a century;
artificial diamonds in laboratories ashowever, natural and artificial diamonds
well. This has to do with the similarityeach have their own unique flaws, which
between these and coal, the differenceare detectable by trained, professional
between which is more of degree thangemologists.
process. Both are made of carbon thatOne difference has to do with color as
has been subjected to heat and pressure.well; natural colored diamonds are not
What happens is that diamonds areterribly uncommon, and come in a wide
subject to much greater amounts of bothrange of hues. Some of these color
- as much as 60,000 times that of normalvariations can add tremendous value to a
air pressure at sea level, and up togem. Loose diamonds made artificially
2300 degrees Fahrenheit.are almost always of the white variety;
To put this into perspective, thecolored stones make up only one in every
pressure of the air we live in is aboutten thousand. When purchasing loose
14.7 pounds per square inch. At 1083diamonds whether as an investment or for
feet below the sea's surface (theuse in jewelry, make sure that such
current scuba diving record), thediamonds have been certified by an
pressure is over 482 pounds per squareindependent gemology professional.
inch. Carbon that is transformed into



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