Diamonds: characteristics and curiosities

Our journey to discover precious stones continues, talking about the gem par excellence: the diamond! We have already learned a little about this indestructible mineral in this article and this article. Today we will discover the diamond and its characteristics and curiosities!

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The name and the history

The word diamond comes from the Greek αδαμας ( adamas) , meaning indestructible, just, or immutable . The Arabs called this precious gem almas , the Hindus vira , from the Sanskrit vajira , meaning lightning . The diamond was also given the epithet "fragment of eternity".

Diamonds are a material that comes from the bowels of our planet: the one that comes from the greatest depths, according to scholars. They are in fact considered a window to the center of the Earth. They do not only have an inestimable economic value, but also a very high scientific potential, because they are able to tell many things about the evolution of the planet.

More than 90% of the diamonds currently in existence were formed between 1 and 3 billion years ago, at a depth of 150-200 km. The remaining percentage, instead, would come from the so-called ''transition zone'', between 600 and 2900 km deep: they are called ''superdeep diamonds''.

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How is it made?

Diamonds are, in scientific terms, crystalline lattices of carbon atoms, arranged in a tetrahedral, octahedral or hexakisoctahedral structure. Too complicated? In essence: diamond is made of carbon that, subjected to enormous pressure, crystallizes, giving life to an inexhaustible mineral, formed over millions of years. The crystals, which are created in the depths of the Earth, are brought to the surface through a rock called kimberlite, which engulfs them and rises to the surface through volcanic conduits (which will then become primary deposits). The kimberlite can then be crumbled, freeing the diamonds in the so-called secondary deposits.

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Where is it located?

The diamond producing country par excellence is India , mostly in the city of Surat, where millions of diamonds are cut and polished. They are followed by Botswana, Russia, Angola, Canada, Congo, Brazil and South Africa. Australia, on the other hand, has been a great producer in the past. The main trading center is Antwerp, in Belgium, where since the fifteenth century an innovative technique has been applied to polish and shape gems.

Some very small diamonds have also been found in meteorites that fell to Earth. Scientists believe that impacts of large meteorites may have produced many of the diamonds present today.

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Its characteristics

Not all diamonds are the same! To differentiate them, they are classified according to 4 ''c'': carat (carat), cut (cut), color (color) and clarity (clarity) . Carats are the measure of the mass of a diamond. Clarity refers to the internal defects that a diamond may have, called ''inclusions''. The color can vary, but the diamond par excellence is completely colorless. As for the cut, it describes the way in which the diamond has been refined from its rough form.

We will return to these features, which deserve a separate discussion, in future articles. Stay tuned!

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Some little curiosities

Diamonds have always been considered precious stones of inestimable value. The first references to diamonds are recorded in India, where they remain important cultural references, for their therapeutic and propitiatory use. Diamonds are mentioned in the writings of Pliny, Ptolemy and Marco Polo. They have always been a powerful talisman against evil, if purified : diamonds keep the devil away, who fears them because they remind him of his fall. In the Middle Ages they were considered amulets capable of bringing love into one's life, if worn as rings for at least 7 days.

Today the most common use of diamonds is in engagement rings . But did you know that this custom is actually very recent? In fact, since the mid-twentieth century, thanks to an advertising campaign by De Beers , a leading company in the diamond trade, these precious minerals have become the symbol of eternal love par excellence.

And then, you know, they also became every woman's best friend!

See you here again, very soon, with many other curiosities!