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5 facts about diamonds.
Thus, the fact that the first - the ancient Chinese used diamonds to polish ceremonial axes
If modern man to ask what he associates the word "diamond" that most of the answers on associations with jewelry. Yes, diamonds are very popular among connoisseurs of jewelry, and therefore among jewelers. However, most of the diamond goes to the needs of industry.
Interestingly, another 4, 5 thousand years ago, ancient Chinese used diamonds to polish ceremonial axes. Sami axes made of corundum (second hardness of a mineral, not far behind the diamond). Of course, we can only handle corundum diamond - and the ancient Chinese used it.
Now about 80% of mined diamonds (about 100 million carats), not to mention the artificial stone used for drilling, cutting, polishing and other industrial purposes.
The fact of the second. Diamond - not the hardest material in the world
It's hard to believe, but true. Since childhood we have heard that the diamond - the hardest mineral on the planet, in addition, we were told about the teachers at school and university.
Actually, the diamond is the hardest natural material but a person created something more solid. In 2005, Natalia Dubrovinskaya with colleagues from the University of Heidelberg was able to create a substance that is 11% greater than the hardness of diamond. The new material is called "giperalmaz».
The fact of the third. Diamonds are not so rare
Actually, this statement is a bit wrong. The fact is that the nature of diamonds are not so often. In the process of extraction of diamonds has to shovel millions of tons of waste rock. This mined diamonds are often not suitable for the needs of the jewelry. For example, one million of diamonds is only one diamond odnokaratny without defects, 3-carat gem-quality diamonds accounted for 15 million "marriage».
But in economic terms, the diamonds is not rare, in fact has long been a proposal exceeds demand. Moreover, the high price is artificially maintained - diamond cartels sell these gems only a very small portions, far more of them are in storage.
The fact of the fourth. Diamonds are not rare in the universe
On Earth, perhaps diamonds are not so often, but what about space? It turns out, in 2004, astronomer Travis Metcalfe found a diamond weighing in at 10 billion trillion trillion. Think for yourself, but in this number of zeros, but it's true.
This huge diamond was once the nucleus of dead star, and its current diameter is 4000 kilometers. It is located about 50 light years from Earth. Astronomers have decided to name this giant diamond, "Lucy" after the Beatles song «Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds».
The fact of the fifth. Artificial diamonds can not be distinguished from natural
Until recently, artificial diamonds produced in large quantity was readily distinguished from natural. Any more or less experienced jeweler could do it. However, over the past ten years, technology has improved diamond production so that scientists can grow stones, virtually indistinguishable from the natural. No expert is not able to do that. Who knows, maybe artificially grown diamonds of excellent quality has quietly sold at natural diamonds?
Of course, the price of diamonds will not fall, because those who know how to grow them, is not going to lose the goose that lays the golden eggs, flooding the market with cheap stones. All will be as it is now.
If modern man to ask what he associates the word "diamond" that most of the answers on associations with jewelry. Yes, diamonds are very popular among connoisseurs of jewelry, and therefore among jewelers. However, most of the diamond goes to the needs of industry.
Interestingly, another 4, 5 thousand years ago, ancient Chinese used diamonds to polish ceremonial axes. Sami axes made of corundum (second hardness of a mineral, not far behind the diamond). Of course, we can only handle corundum diamond - and the ancient Chinese used it.
Now about 80% of mined diamonds (about 100 million carats), not to mention the artificial stone used for drilling, cutting, polishing and other industrial purposes.
The fact of the second. Diamond - not the hardest material in the world
It's hard to believe, but true. Since childhood we have heard that the diamond - the hardest mineral on the planet, in addition, we were told about the teachers at school and university.
Actually, the diamond is the hardest natural material but a person created something more solid. In 2005, Natalia Dubrovinskaya with colleagues from the University of Heidelberg was able to create a substance that is 11% greater than the hardness of diamond. The new material is called "giperalmaz».
The fact of the third. Diamonds are not so rare
Actually, this statement is a bit wrong. The fact is that the nature of diamonds are not so often. In the process of extraction of diamonds has to shovel millions of tons of waste rock. This mined diamonds are often not suitable for the needs of the jewelry. For example, one million of diamonds is only one diamond odnokaratny without defects, 3-carat gem-quality diamonds accounted for 15 million "marriage».
But in economic terms, the diamonds is not rare, in fact has long been a proposal exceeds demand. Moreover, the high price is artificially maintained - diamond cartels sell these gems only a very small portions, far more of them are in storage.
The fact of the fourth. Diamonds are not rare in the universe
On Earth, perhaps diamonds are not so often, but what about space? It turns out, in 2004, astronomer Travis Metcalfe found a diamond weighing in at 10 billion trillion trillion. Think for yourself, but in this number of zeros, but it's true.
This huge diamond was once the nucleus of dead star, and its current diameter is 4000 kilometers. It is located about 50 light years from Earth. Astronomers have decided to name this giant diamond, "Lucy" after the Beatles song «Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds».
The fact of the fifth. Artificial diamonds can not be distinguished from natural
Until recently, artificial diamonds produced in large quantity was readily distinguished from natural. Any more or less experienced jeweler could do it. However, over the past ten years, technology has improved diamond production so that scientists can grow stones, virtually indistinguishable from the natural. No expert is not able to do that. Who knows, maybe artificially grown diamonds of excellent quality has quietly sold at natural diamonds?
Of course, the price of diamonds will not fall, because those who know how to grow them, is not going to lose the goose that lays the golden eggs, flooding the market with cheap stones. All will be as it is now.
