Naturally, carbon is available in two different forms; diamond and graphite. Diamond is nothing, but allotrope of carbon. In diamond, carbon atoms form a crystalline face-centered cubic structure that is less steady form of carbon as compared to graphite. Today, diamond is claimed as most precious stone thanks to its glittering as well as consistent shiny appearance. Here are some gorgeous facts about diamond.
1. Hardest material
Diamond is no doubt, the hardest gem on the earth. The reason is that, in case of diamond, carbon atoms are arranged in three dimensional face centered cubic structure that ultimately made this stone, a crystalline material. This characteristic of diamond was unveiled by a Germen geologist “Mohs”.
2. Measurement of weight
The weight of diamond is measured in the units of carat. Carat is the unit of weight that is equivalent to 1/5th of a gram. A smaller unit for measurement of diamond’s weight is called point that is equal to 1/100th part of carat.
3. Relationship between weight and size
There is a misperception about the relationship between the weight and size of a diamond. Some people think that as the weight of diamond increases in terms of carat, its size also increases. It is not. Two 1.00 carat diamonds may have different sizes as well.
4. Diamond industry
It has been estimated that almost 10 million people are linked with diamond industry either directly or indirectly worldwide.
5. Importance in ancient era
Diamond, since the time of its discovery, has been remain important for all the people especially in India that is the origin of diamond’s discovery. In old days, diamond was treated as religious gemstone.
6. Importance in modern era
There is no lack in importance of this gemstone even in present era and it is still considered as a gemstone as well as a precious gem. Today, use of diamond has become the sign of an elite class and is claimed as a status symbol as well.
7. Antoine Lavoisier
Antoine Lavoisier is the name behind discovery of chemical composition of diamond. In 1772, this scientist discovered during a combustion experiment that diamond is composed of carbon atoms that are present in well-defined crystalline structure.
8. Irradiation process
Irradiation process is a weird method that is used to change the diamond’s color. The colors produced by this method are not like original ones. These artificial colors are like yellow, green and blue.
9. Synthetic diamond
Synthetic diamonds are mostly used for industrial purposes. These synthetic diamonds are mostly available in yellow color and it takes almost one week to grow these synthetic diamonds.
10. Formation of Natural Diamonds
Formation of natural diamond takes place only in such environmental conditions, in which temperature ranges from 900-1300 degree centigrade and pressure from 45-60 kbar.