South Africa diamonds.

Diamonds from South Africa.



Diamonds.



In mineralogy "Diamond" (from the antique Greek ἀδάμας, adámas) is the allotrope of carbon where carbon atoms are organized in an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice.









In mineralogy "Diamond" (from the antique Greek ἀδάμας, adámas) is the allotrope of carbon where carbon atoms are organized in an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice. It is the second most stable form of Carbon. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for jewelry and industrial applications. It is the hardest known natural mineral. It is possible to treat regular diamonds under a combination of high pressure and high temperature to produce diamonds that are harder than the diamonds used in hardness gauges. Nowadays only aggregated diamind


nanorods what is a material created using C60 is confirmed to be harder, although it is comparable to other substances such as cubir boron nitride, rhenium diboride and ultrahard fullerite itself.



All over the world diamonds are well renowned as a material with extraordinary physical qualities; they make excellent abrasives because they can be scratched only by other diamonds,
borazon, ultrahard fullerite, rhenium diboride, or aggregated diamond nanorods, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain their lustre. Some 130 million carats (26,000 kg (57,000 lb)) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion, and about 100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are synthesized annually.

The fame of diamonds surged during the Middle Ages, with the discovery of many large and famous stones in India, e.g. the Koh-I-Noor and the Blue Hope. Today India keeps the foremost diamond polishing industry in the world.

The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek ἀδάμας (adámas), "unbreakable, untamed", from a, "un-" + δαμάω (damáō), "to overpower, to tame". They have been treasured as gemstones since their religious valor in ancient India and usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history. Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns. They are commonly judged by the “four Cs”: carat, clarity, color, and cut.
Roughly 49% of diamonds originate from central and southern Africa, although significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia.


The history of Diamonds is very wide. From myths about valleys of diamonds protected by snakes, to the production of millions of carats in rough diamonds each year, the data about diamonds have mystical power, beauty and a commercial dimension.

They begin in chaos, 75 miles or more beneath Earth's surface as carbon transformed into crystals by extreme heat and pressure. As volcanic eruptions drive the crystals upward, they can revert to free carbon atoms, or vaporize into carbon dioxide, or become the graphite that's used in lead pencils. The survivors retain their original form only if they make it to a point near Earth's surface where they can cool down rapidly. Here, under large plates of Earth called "cratons," they form into diamonds.