Diamond is not only a popular stone, but also the most precious of all minerals on Earth. At all times he was considered and continues to be considered a symbol of firmness, the personification of courage and a certain innocence. Its name comes from the Greek word "adamas", which is translated into Russian as "indestructible", "irresistible." There are about 1000 types of different diamonds on Earth, including jewelry. What does a diamond look like, what properties does it have, and how is it mined?

How is a diamond different from a diamond?

Nothing. Many people mistakenly believe that diamonds and polished diamonds are different gemstones. Moreover, some of them even argue with each other about which of these stones is the most expensive. Note that all the disputes between people regarding diamonds and diamonds are empty talk.

The fact is that a diamond (a photo of the mineral is presented in the article) and a diamond are one and the same stone. The only difference in them is that the diamond is the primary mineral, and the brilliant is an already processed and cut diamond. In general, the word "diamond" is French. Translated into Russian, it means "sparkling".

natural diamond

What does a diamond look like in its original form? Without a special cut, this mineral will look extremely unattractive, since the surface of those mined from the bowels of the Earth is, in the overwhelming majority of cases, rough. In addition, it is covered with a translucent gray crust with various cracks.

Only professional polishing and cutting of a diamond will turn it into real diamond playing with all the colors of the rainbow in the sun. In this case, the diamond itself in most cases will remain transparent, like a drop of water. A true diamond immersed in a container of water will become completely invisible.

Diamond. Description of the mineral

Scientifically, diamonds are minerals that represent the cubic allotropic form of carbon. Under normal conditions, this mineral is able to exist for an indefinitely long period. If diamond is placed in an inert gas or in a vacuum at elevated temperatures, it will eventually turn into graphite. The main distinctive features diamonds are:

• very high (among other minerals) hardness;
• the highest thermal conductivity among all existing solids;
• dispersion;
• high refractive index;
• low coefficient of friction on metal in air;
• dielectric properties.

The diamond described in this article, due to its highest hardness, has exceptional wear resistance to abrasion. Moreover, these minerals have the highest (in comparison with other mineral stones) elasticity and the lowest compression ratio.

It should be noted that one of the most important properties of a diamond is its so-called luminescence. In other words, these gemstones under the influence of ultraviolet, cathode or X-rays begin to glow and shine in different colors, i.e. luminescent.

More about diamond color and luminescence

Diamond is a stone that usually does not have any color shades. But sometimes these minerals still have weak brown, yellowish, greenish or pinkish tints. Very rare in nature. When it comes to jewelry options, most colored jewelry diamonds are brown or yellow in color.

The shades depend on the concentration of the defect in the structure of these stones. Color can also be present in colorless diamonds. Experts note that often minerals in which it is not possible to fix the presence of a structural defect with a spectrophotometer, from time to time shine in one shade or another, playing with them in the sun. This is the effect of luminescence.

Jewelry Diamonds

As a rule, the share of mined gem-quality diamonds in our country is no more than 25%. Naturally, in placer deposits of this mineral, such diamonds are found much more often than in indigenous ones. Jewelry diamond is durable precious stone free of any inclusions and cracks.

Experts say that when cutting gem-quality diamonds, one can observe the greatest brilliance and maximum play of this stone. Their faceting completely eliminates all existing natural defects, however, approximately half of the original mass of the mineral is lost. When cutting diamonds, a special diamond shape is used, as well as wing, cabochon and step cutting.

Diamond. Chemical composition

What does a diamond look like from the point of view of its own chemical properties? This mineral is approximately 99.8% carbon. The remaining 0.2% are impurities of various chemical elements:

• nitrogen;
• aluminum;
• oxygen;
• silicon;
• copper;
• manganese;
• nickel;
• iron;
• zinc;
• titanium, etc.

Diamond. Physical properties

As mentioned above, the diamond, the photo of which we have presented to you, can be either colorless (transparent in water) or colored by means of luminescence in certain shades of colors. Moreover, most often the color is distributed unevenly, zonal or spotty. Let us repeat that it is under the influence of various light rays that the overwhelming majority of diamonds begin to glow with all kinds of color shades.

Scientists have found that these minerals have the unique ability to adhere to certain fat blends. This made it possible to create and further apply the widely known fat method for the extraction of diamonds at various processing plants.

Diamond. Medicinal properties

This valuable mineral has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. People have cured them of such mental disorders as:

• phobias;
• nervous breakdowns;
• depression;
• neuroses;
• unfounded fears.

Lithotherapists say that, for example, a gemstone diamond is able to correct a person's nervous system, adjusting his state to a positive one. It is believed that this mineral helps in the fight against smoking, drunkenness, alcoholism, drug addiction.

Behind the scenes, diamonds are excellent antipyretic agents. Traditional healers generally recommend using a diamond as an additional remedy to the main treatment of the following ailments:

• hepatitis;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• inflammation of the prostate gland;
• various infections;
• joint disease.

Diamond. Esoteric and magical properties

So, we know what a diamond looks like in terms of its physical and chemical properties. Now we will find out how esoteric specialists speak of him. They are sure that this mineral is not only the most valuable in the whole world, but also the most dangerous for humans. However, this does not mean that it will only harm its owner. A careful and careful attitude to your stone will awaken in it positive energy in relation to its owner.

From time immemorial, people believed and continue to believe that diamonds bring courage, perseverance, fortitude, determination, etc. to their owners. Esotericists agree with this. Jewelry with these minerals, in their opinion, really protects people from alcoholism and drug addiction, protects from the evil eye, relieves of sorrows, and wards off certain witchcraft.

But not everything is as sweet and smooth as it might seem at first glance. Esotericists remind that diamonds have been considered the stones of kings, high priests and nobility since ancient times. Jewelry with diamonds has always served faithfully for high-ranking personalities. Unfortunately, the proud diamond in some cases can be completely indifferent to ordinary people from the middle class.

Diamond and astrology

Diamond is the first stone in the zodiacal circle. This mineral has an exceptional energy, which in its power cannot be compared with the energy of other minerals. From an astrological point of view, diamonds reflect the entire zodiac in themselves, being the unofficial leaders among other minerals.

According to astrologers, every person born under the constellation Aries should have this mineral. The fact is that its magical power is able to tame the anger, irritability and irascibility of its owner. Of course, diamonds are not contraindicated for the rest of the zodiac signs.

with diamonds

If you want to use jewelry with cut diamonds as talismans and amulets, then it is recommended to wear them in the form of rings on the ring finger of your left hand, in the form of pendants on the neck or in the form of earrings. In this case, the stone must necessarily touch your skin. A talisman with a diamond will act only if the intentions of its owner are highly moral and honest. You cannot wear jewelry with diamonds as talismans and amulets for murderers, swindlers, thieves, recidivists, swindlers, dishonest people, etc.

How are diamonds mined?

Diamond mining is a serious and laborious business, since this mineral is one of the first to crystallize during the cooling of the mantle silicate melt located in the bowels of the Earth at a depth of 200 km. In this case, the pressure exerted on the crystallization processes is 5000 MPa. Then, under the influence of explosive processes that accompany the formation (20% of them are contained in diamond), the mineral is carried to the surface of the Earth, from where it is subsequently mined.

Geologists claim that these stones can also be found in deep rocks of the Earth, called eclogites. It is curious that small diamonds were once discovered in meteorites in a fairly a large number... Diamonds were also mined in giant meteorite craters, where highly remelted rocks contain a significant amount of fine-crystalline minerals. In general, industrial deposits of these stones are directly related to placers and kimberlites. The main diamond mining countries and regions are:

• Congo (Zaire);
• Republic of South Africa;
• Namibia;
• Botswana;
• Ural;
• Yakutia.

Diamonds of Yakutia are a national treasure of Russia

Their second name is Yakut diamonds. At present, the cutting factories of Yakutia are in fact the undisputed leaders in the production of these minerals all over the world. Experts and jewelers say that the whole point is in the high quality of diamonds located in the bowels of the Yakut lands. Believe it or not, today even South African diamonds have already lost their status as the best diamonds in the world.

Diamonds of Yakutia, unlike their direct and more famous competitors, can boast of the rarest purity in the world: the absence of cracks and all kinds of abundant inclusions on their surfaces allows Yakut diamonds to fabulously and divinely “play” in the sun, skillfully refracting light rays. Nevertheless, despite their obvious advantages, these stones are not widespread in our country.

The quality of the diamonds mined in Russia should certainly not be questioned. Apparently, the remnants of the Soviet worldview, according to which diamonds are of exceptional value only in the country's defense industry, are to blame. Currently, up to 80% of all diamonds mined in Russia are exported to elite European and Western jewelry stores.

In this article:

Diamond is the hardest mineral in the world, the exact history of the origin of which has not yet been reduced to a single version. Still, most gemologists share the opinion that this stone arose as a result of the cooling of silicates in the mantle of the earth's crust. Numerous powerful tremors played an important role in the formation of diamonds. Many people believe that this mineral naturally looks exactly like a diamond, but this is not true. So what does a diamond look like and how to distinguish a natural mineral from an imitation?

Physicochemical properties

The diamond formula is the simplest among the formulas of all other minerals. This stone is pure carbon (C), which can be combined with impurities of magnesium, iron and calcium oxides. Diamond has a cubic system, which means that crystals of this mineral occur naturally in the form of a cube and an octahedron. The density of a diamond is 3.52 grams per cubic centimeter.

Natural diamond

The brilliance of a diamond is unique - regardless of the intensity of light and its source, the mineral shines like no other stone. In nature, the mineral exists in yellow, pale yellow, white, blue, gray and even black. This stone has perfect clarity. More light is reflected from the surface of the gem than from any other stone.

On the scale of hardness of minerals, the diamond earned as much as 10 points. The maximum hardness index makes this stone durable - it can maintain its ideal appearance for hundreds of years. Unlike most minerals, the gem has a high thermal conductivity.

In nature, minerals are found in the form of inclusions in graphite, serpentines and mountain olivines. Less commonly, a gem can be found in a pebble placer of a river or sea, especially if these bodies of water are located near volcanic rocks. The rock in which a diamond can be contained is called a diamond ore.

To estimate the weight of diamonds, the metric system of carats is used, where 1 carat corresponds to 200 milligrams. In most cases, in the process of diamond mining, it is possible to find stones weighing up to 15 carats. If the stone weighs more than 15 carats, then it belongs to rare diamonds. In the case when the weight of the gem exceeds 100 carats, the diamond is classified as unique. Note: to extract 1 carat of diamonds, miners have to process about 250 tons of ore.

Today this mineral is found on all continents of our planet without exception. Yet more than 50% of the total production of these stones falls on only a few countries. These are Russia, South Africa, Namibia, Congo, Angola, Bostwana and Australia. Several centuries ago, the mineral was mined from a pebble placer of reservoirs using simple tools - a pick, sieve and shovel. Only at the end of the last century, the Kimberlite pipe began to be used for diamond mining. This is not equipment, but a vertical geological formation that appeared as a result of gas breakthrough through the Earth's crust.

How do they look?

Diamond exists in several varieties, each of which has not only a certain number of carats, a list of properties, but also a unique one. appearance.

Many people believe that a mineral in nature looks the same as a diamond, this is a fundamentally erroneous assumption. Indeed, diamond is used as a basic raw material for making polished diamonds - the most expensive stones in the jewelry industry. A diamond is a cut and polished diamond that has 57 facets. During the cutting process, the gem loses up to 60% of its original weight. A diamond differs from a diamond in that it is a natural mineral with no aesthetic value. By the way, only 15% of mined stones are suitable for making diamonds.

As already noted, the stone is found in nature in different colors. The color of the mineral depends on the intensity of natural radiation exposure, the amount of inclusions and impurities, the presence of defects in the structure of the gem. In one instance, several colors can also be combined at the same time, but most of the stones mined in nature have a pale yellow and white color.

Milky white, gray and black color is typical for industrial diamonds, as well as beads, carbonado and ballas, which are aggregates. By the way, the list of these types of minerals is at least 80% of the total diamond production. What do the individual varieties of the mineral look like:

1. Gemstones: These are the raw materials for making diamonds. In nature, gem-quality diamonds are found in yellowish, brownish-brown, greenish, pinkish, cherry, wine and bluish hues. Absolutely colorless and transparent diamonds are rare in nature, therefore they are considered the most valuable. But even those stones that, at first glance, do not have any color, still have an unexpressed shade, which in jewelry is called color. In nature jewelry stones have the shape of a cube, sphere or octahedron. There may be stones that look like rock fragments.
2. Bead: This is a dark stone with a fine grain structure and a lot of graphite.
3. Carbonado: These dark green or gray-black stones contain graphite and amorphous carbon. The maximum weight of one such mineral under natural conditions does not even reach one carat. Carbonado has a matte, glossy surface. The stone itself is opaque.
4. Ballas: This type of diamond is naturally rounded. The stones are black, greenish or black in color. The surface of the mineral often has a matte sheen.

A diamond is also unique in that each of its specimens has a unique appearance, so it is impossible to find 2 identical minerals in nature.

Among the many gemstones, there is one with unique properties and a history of origin that set it apart from all the others. Diamond is the most expensive gem in the world. But its value is not limited to its use in jewelry. What a diamond looks like, what its history and use are, and will be discussed below. Development of science, modern technologies discovered many wonderful properties of this stone, previously unknown to people.

Origin

There is no gem in the world with a simpler composition than a diamond. A stone that costs a lot of money and a simple lump of coal are almost one hundred percent composed of the same element - carbon. However, the birth of a diamond is not an easy process.

The most generally accepted theory of its origin is magmatic. According to her, a diamond is formed from carbon atoms at a depth of more than 200 km from the earth's surface under the influence of an enormous pressure of 50,000 atmospheres. Small deposits of crystals are carried to the surface by magma flows, where they remain in the so-called kimberlite pipes. The photo below shows an object called Mir, the largest diamond pipe in Yakutia as of 1950.

There are also so-called secondary deposits on river banks in destroyed rocks.

In addition, there are diamonds brought to Earth from space by meteorites. Some scientists suggest that meteorites could directly cause the birth of gems as a result of hitting the surface of the Earth at great speed.

A person who does not know what a diamond looks like is likely to pass by a nondescript small stone with a matte or rough surface. It is in this form that it is found in rocks.

Structure and properties

As discussed above, diamond is mostly pure carbon. The specific structure of the atoms of this element determines the amazing properties of the gem.

The crystal lattice has the shape of a cube, at each vertex of which there is a carbon atom. In addition, there are four additional atoms in the center, which is the reason for the high density of the mineral.

Diamond is a precious stone, which is also the hardest. According to the conventional Mohs scale, it has the maximum value among all the minerals selected for comparison.

The gem has the property of luminescence when charged particles enter it. Thus, the stone serves as an indicator by which the presence of radioactive substances can be determined. This produces flashes of light and electrical impulses.

The diamond is completely immune to the strongest acids. However, it can be oxidized in alkaline solutions of soda or nitrate.

A diamond is a gem that can be set on fire with a regular magnifying glass. Ignition temperature - from 700 degrees.

Mining

Diamond mining is a very costly and time consuming endeavor. Until the 19th century, precious stones were mined mainly in secondary deposits formed as a result of the destruction of rocks, where diamonds were hidden. Shovels raked in river sand and sifted in special sieves.

Larger reserves are still stored in primary rocks, in the so-called kimberlite pipes.

They get to the deposits in two stages. Explosives go deep into the ground for 600 m, and then they already lay mines to reach the goal.

The mined ore is taken to factories, where it is washed and crushed. It is required to sift and select about a hundred tons of rock in order to find gems per 1 carat. It is then rejected using water and X-rays, and the rough diamonds are sent to cutters.

Place of Birth

A person who read the fascinating adventure novel "The Diamond Thieves" as a child already knows that in the 19th century, diamonds were mined in South Africa. South Africa is still one of the five leading countries in the extraction of these treasures.

Nevertheless, diamond mining areas are scattered all over the world. Fukauma is one of the largest deposits. Thanks to this, Angola ranks fifth in the world for this indicator.

However, the leader among all countries in terms of the number of diamond mines is Botswana. Industrial development began here in the middle of the last century.

The northern states are not lagging behind African countries. Canada produces diamonds worth $ 1.5 billion annually. The main field of the country is Ekati.

Every inhabitant of Russia has heard a lot about the famous Yakut diamonds. In addition, large deposits are located in the Arkhangelsk and Perm regions. In total, the Russian Federation develops $ 2 billion worth of diamond products every year.

There were once many deposits in Australia. However, most of them are depleted. But in the Argil mine, very rare pink stones are mined.

Technical diamond

Not every gem is suitable for jewelry use. Stones with defects, impurities, inclusions are considered technical.

They are also distinguished by their smaller size, irregular shape, which does not allow turning the nugget into a sparkling diamond.

Application

Diamond is a stone that cannot be processed with any other material. The hardest metal won't even scratch a jewel. Only discs covered with diamond dust are able to cut a noble mineral and turn it into a diamond.

The hardness of the mineral is a quality that is indispensable for construction work. Diamond drills, cutting discs, abrasive grinding wheels allow you to process concrete and the hardest natural stones without damaging their structure.

The explosive leap in the development of electronics has further increased the demand for diamonds.

Their unique optical properties make them indispensable in the manufacture of high-precision devices and microcircuits.

Stones are also widely used in medicine. To cause as little damage to human tissue as possible, the thickness of the scalpel should be minimal. In addition, the use of medical lasers using diamond crystals has broad prospects.

The inertness of the gemstone and its immunity to acids make it an excellent material for making containers used in chemical experiments.

Echoing nature

The rapid development of technology and industry requires more and more diamonds. Also, the demand for diamonds used in manufacturing never falls. jewelry... However, natural deposits of gems are depleted every year. There is only one way out - the production of synthetic stones.

There are two main ways in which artificial diamond can be obtained. The first repeats the conditions under which a stone is formed in nature. In special chambers that can withstand extreme parameters, high temperatures and pressures of 50,000 atmospheres are recreated. In this case, graphite reacts with a metal serving as a catalyst, and is deposited on a small diamond crystal, which is the basis for the future synthetic stone. The cultivation process takes up to 10 days in the laboratory.

The second known method is the sedimentation method.

In a hermetically sealed chamber, the air is completely pumped out and the vapors of hydrogen and methane are heated by microwave radiation. Carbon is released from the methane and is deposited on the base. This method is indispensable in the manufacture of equipment and tools with multiple layers.

Nevertheless, it is not so easy to obtain an artificial diamond; all these methods are quite expensive.

Different kinds

There are many varieties of this precious mineral... When a person imagines what a diamond looks like, a colorless stone immediately comes to mind. However, nature has painted a noble gem in a variety of colors.

The most common diamonds are yellowish in color. The more pronounced the color, the more expensive the stone.

Boron particles can give a diamond a blue tint. Such gems are very rare and cost fabulous money.

Stones are often painted artificially.

Green minerals are primarily associated with emeralds. However, under the influence of radiation, diamonds are also painted in this color.

Acting on a common yellow gem high temperature and by pressure, you can get a blue stone. These diamonds are highly prized and sold quickly at auctions.

The most expensive and rare are red stones. They are found naturally in only one deposit in Australia.

Diamond and brilliant

One of the main advantages of precious stones in jewelry is the play of light and shine. Rough diamonds are pretty plain at first glance. To turn a rough, nondescript stone into a luxurious diamond, you need to give it to a cutter.

It is after processing that all the beauty of the gem is revealed. There are several ways to cut. It all depends on the shape of the original sample.

For round stones, a brilliant cut is used. The stepwise method is typical for rectangular specimens. The method, when from the base the faces converge to the top, is called a rose. In any case, the goal of the cutter is to cut the diamond in such a way that the light entering the diamond does not come out and play with all the colors of the rainbow on its edges.

How not to run into a fake

The high cost of gemstones attracts scammers of all sorts. Collectors are concerned with the question of how to distinguish a diamond from an expertly crafted counterfeit. By using simple ways the authenticity of a gem can also be determined at home.

A diamond scatters light strongly. If a bright beam of light directed through the stone retains its intensity, then it is a fake. Also, natural stone glows in ultraviolet light.

The diamond is practically indestructible. You should carefully examine its edges through a magnifying glass. If they are worn out, smoothed, then the authenticity of the stone is doubtful. Of course, there shouldn't be any scratches or cracks.

An obvious fake can be easily identified by simply swiping a felt-tip pen or marker along the edge of the gem. On the original, the line is straight, with well-defined boundaries. Fuzzy edges, broken lines are all signs of a fake.

Diamond has high thermal conductivity properties. If you breathe on it, then there will be no traces of fogging on it.

The authenticity of a gem can be determined by immersing it in an acidic solution. A real stone will endure this test without any consequences.

Supernatural

Connoisseurs do not need to tell what a diamond looks like - first rough and then cut. The mystical play of light in the facets of a diamond is mesmerizing, it is impossible to look away from the stone. In the past, this phenomenon has caused a whole series of signs and superstitions.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the gem was able to save its owner from poisons. It is also a talisman that protects the owner from the effects of black magic.

Success in business requires a combination of diamond and gold. A ring with a stone on the middle finger brings good luck in the game. Men who want to attract the attention of the opposite sex are simply obliged to wear a diamond amulet on their little finger.

A diamond is a gem in the full sense of the word. While the cost of other gems can fluctuate depending on the vagaries of fashion, the demand for diamonds is consistently high. And the unique physical properties of the mineral make it indispensable for modern technologies.

"Fragments of fallen stars" - the ancient Romans and Greeks spoke so poetically and so precisely about diamonds 3000 years ago. NS. In those days, they were hardly even processed, considering that after grinding the stones lose their magical properties... But at the same time, they valued it unreasonably high, after all, how can “tears of the gods” be cheap? This origin of minerals of unearthly beauty seemed the most logical and correct.

A look from the bowels of the earth: the origin of the diamond

It is difficult to determine when and where diamonds were first found and began to be perceived by people as jewelry. Scientists, however, are unanimous that all of them, from ancient times to the 18th century, appeared in Europe and Asia from India. It was in this country between IV and III centuries. BC NS. the first treatise on precious stones and their properties was written, including a description of the diamond. In the 4th century. BC. Aristotle wrote about them in his book on precious stones. However, most of the information about the characteristics of this mineral can be found in the works of Pliny the Elder. The diamond is also mentioned in the Talmud.

Precious stones appear when carbon is exposed to high pressure (more than 40 thousand atmospheres) and temperature generated by volcanic magma at a depth of more than 150 km.

To obtain 1 carat of minerals, it is necessary to process over 250 tons of diamond ore! And in the process of cutting the nugget loses about half of its weight. Moreover, only 20% of the mined minerals can become diamonds.

Basically, all diamonds mined today appeared in the bowels of the planet about 3 billion years ago. The largest deposits are located in South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zaire, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Borneo, India, Brazil, Russia, Australia, and the USA.

Gold earrings SUNLIGHT "Diamonds of Yakutia" (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog)

Antoine Lavoisier was the first to conduct a unique experiment: he burned a gem using a sunbeam enhanced by a glass lens. Thus, it has been proven that diamond is pure carbon.

By the way, in the United States there is a National Park "Crater of Diamonds", open to tourists. If you are lucky enough to find a valuable stone there, you can take it with you.

Application of diamonds

The very remaining 80% of diamonds rejected by jewelers are used in technical fields: radio-electronic, electrical, aerospace, medical industries, etc.

Remember that a diamond is harder than any metal? The ancient Chinese knew about this, 4000 years ago, they used it for grinding ceremonial axes.

The "indestructible" mineral is now often used for cutting glass. With a 1 carat stone, you can cut 2500 km of glass!

How diamonds become diamonds

It is the cut that makes a diamond a diamond. And the more complicated it is, the more expensive the decoration. The stone is processed according to the structure of carbon in order to obtain sparkling reflections within the product.

The light “plays” with the brightest facets in the round cut. Ideally, these are 57 planes, which with incredibly deep reflections reveal the whole essence of the precious product. But there is much more waste with such processing than with other cutting options. Therefore, the cost of such diamonds is much higher. In other words, the buyer pays for the shine.

A diamond of clear water

This is the name for crystal clear stones. Perhaps you have heard that if such a diamond is immersed in water, it will not be visible? And this is pure myth! Any mineral, even the most transparent, is perfectly visible in any liquid.

Most often, yellowish diamonds with various shades are found in mines.

A brown diamond is formed when a little iron is mixed with carbon. Therefore, the more iron, the darker the stone will be. Black stone contains a little graphite impurity. Diamonds of this color were not considered precious before. Since the stone is opaque, light does not pass through it. Nevertheless, today they are valued more than ordinary clear colorless diamonds due to the fact that they are rarely found in nature.

But there are truly rare examples of "fancy" colors: blue, pink, ruby ​​red, emerald green, purple and black gem diamonds. Their price is also ... unique. For example, an 8.41-carat purple-pink diamond sold for almost $ 18 million in 2014!

Is a diamond a good investment?

The value of diamonds has been steadily increasing for several centuries, making them an excellent investment with high returns. Unrelenting popularity among investors and jewelers are examples round shape... Their price is always higher. However, before deciding to purchase these gems, you need to know what factors influence the market value of gemstones:

• When talking about carats (Ct), they mean the weight of the stone. 1 carat equals 0.2 grams. Investment diamonds typically weigh between 0.1 and 4 carats. When buying them, you should definitely get a special homological certificate from the seller, which guarantees the quality of the stone.
• Color is also important. They are designated by letters from D to Z: from colorless, crystal clear, to brown stones with a rich yellow tint.
• When talking about the purity of the stone, they mean the presence of defects or inclusions. The purer the stone, the more expensive it is. Determine the purity on a scale: unit - the highest degree, letters: "FL, IF, BBC, VS, SI, I" - denote a lower one.
• Cut. Thanks to her, the diamond gets its perfect shape. Extremely important in in this case are the proportion, symmetry and quality of the hard polish. Even the finest stone can be ruined by a bad cut. Jewelers evaluate the quality of the treatment by the play of light, slightly turning the diamond. Facets that are too shallow prevent the pebble from shining as light exits through the bottom of the diamond and the surface remains dull. Too deep grinding of the edges leads to the fact that the reflection of light is directed to the sides, while the stone itself remains too dark. The main cuts are: round, heart, oval, princess, pear, marquis, emerald, usher and trilliant. Round is the most durable. Cut types: stepped, brilliant, modified brilliant, mixed.

How to tell a real diamond from a fake?

People often try to pass off cubic zirconia as diamonds, which have a similar structure, shine and shine. We look at the edges: a real product has clear outlines, while in fakes, the edges are often slightly rounded and blurred. If you look at the stone under 12x magnification, you can see how the edges of the counterfeit are doubled. This does not happen in a real cut diamond.

Diamond magic

It is believed that diamonds affect both the physical and psychological spheres of a person. Diamonds help to overcome anxiety, feelings of inferiority, difficulty concentrating. Upon contact with him, the true truth is revealed, the essence of things, the clarity of consciousness.

Ancient Indian medicine recommended diamond ash as a cure for diseases such as leprosy, anemia, and tuberculosis. Preventive intake of diamond ash affects the condition of the skin, gives strength, energy, longevity and even sharpens the senses. A person begins to experience the feeling of beauty especially sharply. However, this is provided that the purest diamond powder has been used. If there are impurities in this powder, then it can cause many diseases or even death.

In the ancient Indian treatise "Ratna-pariksha", which was written in the 5th century. n. e., the magical properties of a diamond are described as follows: "... The one who wears diamonds should not be afraid of anything, because they protect from snakes, poisons or diseases, theft, fire, water and evil spirits." Thus, the mineral has always been considered not only a jewel, but also a talisman of great power.

The magic is attributed to the diamond to this day. Today esotericists and even some psychologists believe that diamonds have an impact on the physical and mental sphere of a person. They act primarily on the brain and relieve symptoms in the following conditions:

• encephalitis;
• brain hematoma;
• a brain tumor;
• autism;
• epilepsy;
• dizziness;
• visual impairment;
• poisoning.

Psychically, diamonds help to overcome anxiety, feelings of inferiority, difficulty concentrating. In addition, they can sometimes have the qualities of a mild aphrodisiac.

A diamond is a stone of greatness. Therefore, it is best suited for fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. It enhances their most beautiful traits: courage, courage, fearlessness. A diamond will help Capricorn achieve success in his career, but you need to choose the right one: for this, hold the stone in your palm and listen to your inner feelings. But, astrologers categorically do not advise Pisces to wear diamonds. It is believed that the "fire" of the stone is "extinguished" by the water element.

How to wear diamonds

Diamond rings are not recommended to be worn on the ring finger. This is only permissible if there are no other decorations on the hands anymore. The exception is wedding ring with a diamond. However, putting on an ordinary wedding ring without a stone and a ring with a diamond at the same time on one ring finger is considered bad manners. It is also worth remembering that a diamond ring is suitable for married women and mature people.

Earrings with diamonds are a special precious thing that should not be “lost” against the background of an overly “bright” hairstyle. Therefore, caution should be exercised here. It is necessary that jewelry be in harmony with your appearance, not overshadow the beauty of a woman, but only emphasize her. Therefore, the owners of a beautiful long neck can wear earrings with elongated stones. And if you want to visually make your neck longer, wear earrings with round adamants.

According to the rules of etiquette, a diamond bracelet is worn on the right hand. The adornment can be either loose or tightly covering the wrist. If the design of the bracelet is a special composition, then it is necessary to put it on so that the pattern is clearly visible, and fix it motionlessly on the arm.

Diamond necklaces, necklaces and pendants should be worn with evening dress... It is preferable to choose a style with open shoulders. However, a closed dress with a high stand-up collar will work just fine. Necklaces are usually worn with solid colored dresses. An exception may be a special design decision, when a couturier or stylist specially selects a drawing or embroidery on a dress for decoration, making up a single composition.

Studs with diamonds (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog)

Brooches with diamonds should preferably be pinned to the left shoulder at a distance of 10 cm from the shoulder seam. Sometimes it is permissible to pin an airy silk monochromatic scarf with a brooch, to emphasize a thin waist, fastening it to a wide belt. Moreover, the simpler the style and fewer details, the more profitable the brooch will look.

Jewelers usually offer great combinations by combining several diamond jewelry. Compositions made according to the principle: necklace, earrings, ring are good. Such a set can be used for different occasions, wearing jewelry in pairs or separately, and not the whole set at once.

Diamonds and men

How do men wear diamonds? Today men's diamonds are not only cufflinks and rings, but also watches, diamond chains, tie clips and even small additions used as trimmings for clothes - shirts and tuxedos.

Jeweled gadgets are all the rage right now. For example, the iPad 2 Gold History Edition of Stuart Hughes, owner of the famous Perth soccer team, was adorned with twelve 16.5-carat diamonds and one 8.5-carat stone that made up the Apple logo on the back of the case.

And his own IPhone 4 was the most expensive in the world, since the body of this gadget was made of rose gold and sparkled with 500 diamonds. The cost of this rather immodest phone is £ 5 million.

Many people associate the idea of ​​incomparable brilliance and hardness with diamond. By color, transparency, the presence of any inclusions and other signs, jewelers divide the diamond stone into almost 1000 varieties, however, minerals are also used in industry due to their unique strength characteristics.

The history of the diamond

It got its name due to its exceptional hardness. From Arabic al-mas is translated as "hardest", and in Greek the stone was called adamas - "indestructible". Since ancient times, rough diamond has been used as an exquisite decoration, it also had an important currency value.

There are several theories about the origin of the stone. Among the most substantiated ones, one can single out the magmatic one, according to which carbon atoms under a pressure of about 50 thousand atmospheres at a depth of at least 125 km change the crystal lattice, forming, in fact, a diamond stone. And the stones themselves are carried to the surface by volcanic magma.

Allocate, etc. meteorite diamonds, which seem to have not only extraterrestrial, but also pre-solar origin. Crystals can also form directly as a result of exposure to ultrahigh pressures and temperatures when a meteorite falls.

Natural minerals are usually unremarkable unprocessed. These are small grains up to 5 mm in diameter with a matte surface and rather rough. Diamonds are mined in isolated crystals, but it is possible to find in the deposits conglomerations of several small crystals or crystalline aggregates of hundreds of intergrown grains.

Diamond properties

The crystal has exceptional properties that distinguish it from other minerals:

1. The high density of the diamond makes it suitable for industrial applications. According to the so-called. the Mohs scale of hardness, which includes a dozen reference minerals in ascending order of properties, the stone gains 10 points, being the hardest on earth. Processing diamonds is time-consuming and costly - they are able to leave deep grooves on any material, while remaining completely intact.
2. Another interesting property is the appearance of pulses of electricity and a flash when charged particles penetrate into the crystal. In this regard, even an insignificant source of nuclear radiation can be detected by light flashes (scintillation) of gems.
3. Acids, and very strong - hydrofluoric, sulfuric nitric, etc., even brought to a boil, do not affect the diamond in any way. But melts of alkalis, soda and saltpeter are capable of oxidizing and burning the mineral.
4. The diamond stone ignites in a stream of air at 720 degrees, and burns out at 1000 degrees. At 1200 degrees at atmospheric pressure, the material turns into graphite somewhat bigger size and the same shape as the original crystal.

This mineral is of all gems by chemical composition is the simplest, because it consists only of carbon. However, it is all the more surprising that the origins of diamonds and graphite are similar, because substances are formed from just one element.

The crystal lattice of a diamond is a face-centered cube, at each vertex of which there is an atom. There are four additional atoms inside the cube. This diamond formula causes a very dense "packing" of atoms. This circumstance, as well as the fact that the atoms themselves are bound by the strongest covalent bond, determines the exceptional strength of the mineral.

For comparison, the crystal lattice of graphite has a completely different form. Its structure is no longer cubic. It is formed by a layer of flat parallel networks of carbon atoms, rather far apart from each other and successively shifted.

Deposits of a precious mineral

Diamonds are mined on all continents, but they are not distributed equally. Deposits are mainly located where rock layers lie almost horizontally, subdividing into groups:

• primary (bedrock), formed on igneous rocks;
• secondary (placer) arising in the process of destruction of primary deposits.

Basically, the world's diamonds are mined, about 85%, in kimberlite and lamproite pipes. This name of the deposit was given due to the fact that the precious rock in them is usually concentrated in a volume similar to a cone-shaped tube.

Cut diamonds

This is the final stage of processing the mineral, after which the characteristic "play of light" is achieved, cracks and other flaws are eliminated. Grinding gives the surface a pattern of faces located in a certain way, removes cracks and other flaws. Polishing completes the process by forming a mirror-like surface on the sanded edges.

Cutting is carried out with a cast-iron disc with diamond powder rubbed into its surface. The location, the shape of the faces is chosen so that all the incident light goes inside the crystal and comes back, but does not pass through. Physical properties diamond cause the rays different color are refracted on the crystal faces unequally. The pronounced dispersion contributes to the decomposition of white light, that is, a properly cut stone literally shines with all rainbow colors.

Cutting is a very laborious process. Gems are more or less large, they can be processed for months, while work on unique samples lasts for years. already weigh no more than half, and sometimes only a third of the original mass of the nugget. But the cost triples.

Diamonds are characterized by their cut. There are only three types:

1. Diamond, when the edges of different belts or tiers go into checkerboard, and the outlines of the faces are more often a rhombus or a triangle. Typically used when processing round minerals.
2. Stepped cutting is characterized by the fact that the faces go one above the other, and their shape is isosceles triangles or trapeziums. This type of processing is typical for rectangular diamonds.
3. The rose cut or rosette cut is mainly used for small specimens. In this case, the base of the stone is flat, and the top is convex, to which all the faces converge.

The dispersion properties of a rose-cut diamond are much weaker than in the case of brilliant-cut diamonds, therefore, the "play of light" in them is less noticeable, and the cost is usually 80 percent lower.

Medicinal properties

Diamonds have incredible energetic potential. The positive vibrations of the mineral make it possible to effectively heal whole line ailments:

• inflammatory processes are eliminated, skin diseases are cured, positive results are achieved in the treatment of bronchi, lungs, Bladder, stomach and liver;
• the stone is also useful for normalizing the mental state - irritability, insomnia are treated, positive results are achieved even in the fight against schizophrenia;
• it is generally accepted that the state of the cardiovascular system is normalized when wearing the mineral - the indicators improve in hypertension, various kinds of arrhythmias;
• the positive effect of positive vibrations in the treatment of gynecology is known - not just a green diamond is a symbol of motherhood.

"Diamond water" can be indispensable for restoring strength and vitality after operations and serious illnesses. It is simple to make it - the mineral is placed in water for a day, the latter is charged during this time, after which the medicinal drink can be consumed.

Magical properties

The life of a person due to the constant wearing of a gem can change, especially if the stone was received as a gift. It seems to enhance the owner's aura.

A person with a pure, open soul is able to absorb all the benefits given by the stone, and he will help both in his personal life and in work. A diamond is a talisman. It protects the wearer 100% from any other magical effects. Moreover, the ancient Egyptians even believed that the diamond stone is able to neutralize poisons, saving the life of its owner.

He will help in other matters:

1. In attracting love charms - for this, it is advisable to wear the mineral on the left hand so that it comes into contact with the skin;
2. To help in carrying out magical rituals - this refers to yellow stones, and people who are not involved in any sacraments are not recommended to wear it;
3. In all endeavors for people with a "water" zodiac sign - they are best suited for the blue mineral.

For most people, the ideal amulet and the best helper is a white diamond with a calm "character". Caution should be exercised only with a red stone - only a very strong-minded person can cope with it, but the power of the stone will subsequently work harder.

Talismans and amulets

Of this mineral, they have a powerful magic power... You just need to see what the diamond is made of. It contains the power of the sun, so amulets effectively resist all dark influences on their owner. Talismans bring good luck and success.

In business, success is brought by the combination of diamond with gold - the metal of fire. It is better to wear such talismans in the form of rings on the fingers of the left hand. A ring with a diamond, worn on the middle finger (the finger of fate), will bring good luck in the game. The amulet on the man's little finger bestows extraordinary sexual energy, will make it easy to find new partners.

Wearing earrings and necklaces is extremely useful for women, and it is better if the diamonds are not alone - in the form of a scattering, they lose their aggressive "masculine" features and become talismans of charm, happiness and love. But it should be borne in mind that samples with visible defects can be of no use at all, therefore, especially for amulets and amulets, diamonds must be chosen carefully.

Diamond colors

In addition to unique physical features, diamonds are interesting in that minerals can be of very different, sometimes even unusual colors. Colorless diamonds are extremely rare. In most cases, even if the sample is referred to as colorless, it will still contain small blotches or a slight color shade, called by experts "bloom". The purest and really completely colorless minerals, the so-called. "pure water" diamonds are an extraordinary rarity.

Formed as a result of the replacement of carbon atoms with nitrogen atoms in the crystal lattice. By itself, this natural type is not uncommon, but its price will greatly depend on the color saturation. Since diamonds of a rich, almost dark yellow color are rarely mined, they are highly prized. As a decoration, they look perfect in yellow gold.

Brown diamonds are mined on earth in only one place - very deep in the Australian deposit, and therefore are valued higher than colorless ones. How diamonds of this color are formed is not yet known exactly. The palette of shades of this mineral includes all shades of brown - from cognac and light chocolate to black coffee. By the way, these gems are called mainly by similar "tasty" names.

These specimens are extremely rare. Most - auction and, without exaggeration, unique. The stones can acquire a blue tint as a result of refinement, or they can initially have such a natural color as a result of the fact that the diamond's formula includes boron atoms replacing carbon in the crystal lattice.

Large stones are the rarest specimens, which are purchased mainly only for private collections at auctions. Refined stone is much more accessible. The raw material for him is the more common yellow diamond that is affected by high pressure and temperature.

Less often, these gems can be found only red, without exaggeration, unique. Green stones acquire their color as a result of exposure to natural radiation. The rich dark green minerals are highly prized by collectors and jewelers.

Red diamond - expensive and rare

Red diamonds, according to the assurances of most experts, are the rarest. Red diamonds, along with pink and blue diamonds, are mined in the Australian Argyle mine. Natural diamonds with natural red color - single copies. So, in the American Gemological Institute in its entire history, only twenty such stones have been certified.

It can be found in the same Australian mine as the red diamond, but it is more common. The structure of pink diamonds has been scrutinized many times to determine the causes of the red and pink hues. It was not possible to accurately explain the reason, because there are no foreign atoms in the crystal structure of such a diamond.

The way black diamonds are mined is different from everything else. Black diamonds are almost always found in the uppermost layers of the crust. The mineral consists of intergrown microscopic crystals, so it is beautiful and very durable. It is almost impossible to process it, except with the help of another gem. In addition, of the existing stones, this is the most expensive diamond.

How to distinguish a fake

Trying to sell a fake instead of a diamond stone, they usually use a stone developed more than four decades ago -. It can be a blue diamond - it is much cheaper than a natural diamond, but it looks exactly the same, so it is difficult to visually distinguish it from a diamond, especially if you do not know how and where artificial diamonds are mined.

However, a number of ways still exist:

1. The standard number of facets of a processed diamond is 57; in a fake, they can be much less;
2. The edges of the counterfeit are usually blurred, rounded, while the diamond exhibits clear sharp outlines;
3. If the artificial diamond is carefully examined through a 12x magnification magnifier in bright light, then in the reflected light of cubic zirconia there will be double facets, which cannot be in a cut diamond.

Another unprofessional way is fatty. If a drop of fat is applied to the surface of a fake, then on its edge the drop will first be divided into tiny fragments, then collected into drops. On a real diamond, the drop will remain unchanged at all.

Fake diamond

Scientists understood long ago that the chemical formula of diamond is "C" is nothing but carbon, but they managed to create a synthetic analogue of the stone only in the 20th century. Received it by the action of temperatures and pressures on ordinary graphite.

Today, there are already several technologies for producing artificial stones; if desired, even a red diamond can be synthesized. Cubic zirconia, rhinestone, rutile, fabulite, moissanite, ferroelectric, cerussite - all these are artificial diamonds. The most perfect imitation natural stone is cubic zirconia made from zirconium dioxide.

This industrial diamond is very hard, has a good degree of refraction and dispersion, so it is incredibly similar to a real stone and is widely used in jewelry. And how to distinguish an artificial diamond from a natural mineral was described above.

Care of diamond products

For effective removal pollution, the decoration needs to be soaked in soap solution and gently clean the surface with a soft brush. After that, the product must be rinsed with clean water.

It is also important to understand that although the hardness of a diamond is great, at the same time it is quite fragile, so the stone can be damaged even with elementary cleaning. For cleaning, you can use regular soap, water and a soft brush. In general, there are separate brushes for such products, but you can also use a simple brush, for example, for eyebrows.

Diamond and zodiac signs

Aries and Libra are the zodiac signs of the diamond. The character of Aries forces him to constant struggle, sometimes uncompromising and cruel. There are also defeats, which are very difficult for Aries to admit. It is to this sign of the zodiac that a pink diamond will help in its constant struggle - it will give the missing strength, courage and good luck.

Libra, on the other hand, constantly hesitates in making decisions, they are tormented by doubts, and they often lack the strength to win. The blue diamond will help Libra a lot, at least it will give the so necessary decisiveness, after which victories will certainly begin, recognition and success will be won.

Need to know

Expensive jewelry with a diamond a year should be checked by a jeweler at least once. He will examine the stone itself, the condition of the mountings and teeth. This way you can be sure that the diamond will not be lost.

All types of diamonds, if you are not wearing them, should be kept separate from other jewelry in a special box. This will protect them from scratches.

You can also clean diamonds using special ultrasonic devices - this eliminates the risk of damaging jewelry. And never touch the stone with your fingers - fat marks will certainly remain on it and the gem will lose its shine. Remember that even cleaning diamonds requires special gloves.

Diamond stone - a combination of beauty, magic and incredible strength

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