Diamond is one of the two best known forms (or allotropes) of carbon, whose hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry (the other equally well known allotrope is graphite). Diamonds are specifically renowned as a mineral with superlative physical qualities - they make excellent abrasives because they can only be scratched by other diamonds, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain luster. About 130 million carats (26,000 kg) are mined annually ...

Including:

• Diamond - Material properties
• Diamond - Mechanical properties
• Diamond - Electromagnetic properties
• Diamond - Media
• Diamond - Natural history
• Diamond - Formation
• Diamond - Surfacing
• Diamond - Gemological characteristics
• Diamond - Carat
• Diamond - Clarity
• Diamond - Color
• Diamond - Cut
• Diamond - Cleaning
• Diamond - History
• Diamond - Record-holding diamonds
• Diamond - The diamond industry
• Diamond - Gem diamond industry
• Diamond - Industrial diamond industry
• Diamond - Diamond supply chain
• Diamond - Synthetics simulants and enhancements
• Diamond - Symbolism

Read more here: » Diamond: Encyclopedia - Diamond

The use of diamonds as gemstones of decorative value is the most familiar use to most people today, and is also the earliest use, with decorative use of diamonds stretching back into antiquity. The dispersion of white light into a rainbow of colors, known in the trade as fire, is the other primary characteristic of gem diamonds, and has been highly prized throughout history. Over time, especially since around 1900, experts in the field of gemology have developed methods of characterizing diamonds and other gemstones based on th ...

See also:

Diamond, Diamond - Material properties, Diamond - Mechanical properties, Diamond - Electromagnetic properties, Diamond - Media, Diamond - Natural history, Diamond - Formation, Diamond - Surfacing, Diamond - Gemological characteristics, Diamond - Carat, Diamond - Clarity, Diamond - Color, Diamond - Cut, Diamond - Cleaning, Diamond - History, Diamond - Record-holding diamonds, Diamond - The diamond industry, Diamond - Gem diamond industry, Diamond - Industrial diamond industry, Diamond - Diamond supply chain, Diamond - Synthetics simulants and enhancements, Diamond - Symbolism

Read more here: » Diamond: Encyclopedia II - Diamond - Gemological characteristics

Diamond - Formation. Diamond is formed by prolonged exposure of carbon bearing materials to high pressure and temperature. On Earth, the formation of diamonds is possible because there are regions deep within the Earth that are at a high enough pressure and temperature that the formation of diamonds is thermodynamically favorable (see the diamond phase diagram and geotherms here). Under continental crust, diamonds form starting at depths of about 150 kilometers (90 miles), where pressure is roughly 5 gigapascals ...

See also:

Diamond, Diamond - Material properties, Diamond - Mechanical properties, Diamond - Electromagnetic properties, Diamond - Media, Diamond - Natural history, Diamond - Formation, Diamond - Surfacing, Diamond - Gemological characteristics, Diamond - Carat, Diamond - Clarity, Diamond - Color, Diamond - Cut, Diamond - Cleaning, Diamond - History, Diamond - Record-holding diamonds, Diamond - The diamond industry, Diamond - Gem diamond industry, Diamond - Industrial diamond industry, Diamond - Diamond supply chain, Diamond - Synthetics simulants and enhancements, Diamond - Symbolism

Read more here: » Diamond: Encyclopedia II - Diamond - Natural history

The diamond industry can be broadly separated into two basically distinct categories: one dealing with gem-grade diamonds and another for industrial-grade diamonds. While a large trade in both types of diamonds exists, the two markets act in dramatically different ways. Diamond - Gem diamond industry. A large trade in gem-grade diamonds exists. Unlike precious metals such as gold or platinum, gem diamonds do not trade as a commodity: there is a substantial mark-up in the sale of diamonds, and there is not ...

See also:

Diamond, Diamond - Material properties, Diamond - Mechanical properties, Diamond - Electromagnetic properties, Diamond - Media, Diamond - Natural history, Diamond - Formation, Diamond - Surfacing, Diamond - Gemological characteristics, Diamond - Carat, Diamond - Clarity, Diamond - Color, Diamond - Cut, Diamond - Cleaning, Diamond - History, Diamond - Record-holding diamonds, Diamond - The diamond industry, Diamond - Gem diamond industry, Diamond - Industrial diamond industry, Diamond - Diamond supply chain, Diamond - Synthetics simulants and enhancements, Diamond - Symbolism

Read more here: » Diamond: Encyclopedia II - Diamond - The diamond industry

Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India, where significant alluvial deposits of the stone could then be found. The earliest written reference can be found in the Sanskrit text Arthasastra, which was completed around 296 BCE, describes diamond's hardness, luster, and dispersion. Diamonds quickly became associated with divinity, being used to decorate religious icons, and were believed to bring good fortune to those who carried them. Ownership was restricted among various castes by color, with only kings being al ...

See also:

Diamond, Diamond - Material properties, Diamond - Mechanical properties, Diamond - Electromagnetic properties, Diamond - Media, Diamond - Natural history, Diamond - Formation, Diamond - Surfacing, Diamond - Gemological characteristics, Diamond - Carat, Diamond - Clarity, Diamond - Color, Diamond - Cut, Diamond - Cleaning, Diamond - History, Diamond - Record-holding diamonds, Diamond - The diamond industry, Diamond - Gem diamond industry, Diamond - Industrial diamond industry, Diamond - Diamond supply chain, Diamond - Synthetics simulants and enhancements, Diamond - Symbolism

Read more here: » Diamond: Encyclopedia II - Diamond - History

See also: Crystallographic defects in diamond Diamond is a transparent crystal of pure carbon consisting of tetrahedrally bonded carbon atoms. Humans have been able to adapt diamonds for many uses because of the material's exceptional physical characteristics. Most notable among these properties are the extreme hardness of diamond, its high dispersion index, and high thermal conductivity. These properties form t ...

See also:

Diamond, Diamond - Material properties, Diamond - Mechanical properties, Diamond - Electromagnetic properties, Diamond - Media, Diamond - Natural history, Diamond - Formation, Diamond - Surfacing, Diamond - Gemological characteristics, Diamond - Carat, Diamond - Clarity, Diamond - Color, Diamond - Cut, Diamond - Cleaning, Diamond - History, Diamond - Record-holding diamonds, Diamond - The diamond industry, Diamond - Gem diamond industry, Diamond - Industrial diamond industry, Diamond - Diamond supply chain, Diamond - Synthetics simulants and enhancements, Diamond - Symbolism

Read more here: » Diamond: Encyclopedia II - Diamond - Material properties