The diamond consists of carbon (chemical symbol: C) which had been under high pressure. Carbon is the 6th
element of the "Periodic table of the elements". To produce synthetical diamonds we need a pressure of 55,000 bar and
a temperature of 2,000 degrees. The diamond is the only stone which has got a hardness of 10. Diamonds have got a very high
refractive index and to show this characteristic better they are sharpened. After this they are called brilliants. Because
of the high refractive index brilliants twinkle much more beautiful than other colorless precious stones. In diamonds light
is
reflected a few times until it can leave the diamond. In history there were not only gold rushes but also diamond rushes. In
Kimberley in South Africa many people searched diamonds and they left a very big hole. Today the most and best diamonds are
hauled in Kimberley. In Russia there are many diamonds, too. For precious stones it is important that they are clean, because
we cannot melt precious stones like precious metals and clean them electrolytical.
Data about the Diamond
Chemical formula
C
Mineral class
elements
Crystal system
cubical
Hardness
10
Density
3.5 g/cm3
Color
colorless, yellow, grey, red, green, blue
Line color
white
Gloss
diamond gloss
Break
shell
Fissileness
perfectly
Author and Webmaster: Lukas Czarnecki
If you have got questions about diamond you can send me an e-mail under the following adress:
webmaster@hpwt.de
