| What do loose diamonds have in common with a | | | | decaying remains of ancient plant matter that has |
| pile of coal? More than you might think; in fact in | | | | also been compressed by geologic forces, but |
| geological terms, loose diamonds are nothing more | | | | much closer to the surface. In chemical terms, |
| than glorified lumps of coal. The differences are: | | | | carbon atoms that make up carbon molecules are |
| - the arrangement of the carbon atoms | | | | arranged in a flat, hexagonal pattern, making them |
| - how each material is formed | | | | much more brittle. In diamond however, they are |
| Even when it comes to the formation of | | | | arranged in a tetrahedral, or box-like structure. |
| diamonds, the difference between processes is | | | | This is what accounts for the hardness of loose |
| one of degree rather than mechanics. Here then | | | | diamonds. |
| is some interesting information for potential | | | | Can One Turn Into the Other? |
| buyers of wholesale certified diamonds and | | | | Eventually, if a coal deposit sinks low enough into |
| gemstones. | | | | the earth and is subjected to high pressure and |
| Carbon is Carbon | | | | temperature, it can become diamond. |
| Some may remember an episode of the old | | | | Theoretically, diamond could also change into coal, |
| "Superman" TV series from the 1950s in which | | | | if kept free of chemical reactions that color the |
| Clark Kent created a diamond by compacting a | | | | gems and stabilize the surface, then subjected to |
| lump of coal in his fist. While it is doubtful that | | | | a vacuum. This is unlikely outside of controlled |
| even the "Man of Steel" could exert such | | | | laboratory conditions, however. |
| preternatural geologic forces as take place deep in | | | | Loose Diamonds Are Made, Not Born |
| the earth, the concept illustrated was essentially | | | | What we refer to as loose diamonds do not |
| correct - those loose diamonds that eventually | | | | occur naturally. Once diamond is mined, it is |
| wind up at diamond dealers who sell them to | | | | categorized into "industrial grade" and "gem grade." |
| jewelers are made of carbon that has been | | | | Gem grade is subject to diamond appraisal, and |
| subjected to extremely high pressures of 60 | | | | naturally is of primary interest to diamond dealers. |
| kilobars (for comparison, that's 60,000 times | | | | The raw diamond is cut into loose diamonds, then |
| normal air pressure at sea level) and | | | | carefully carved and shaped by craftsmen into |
| temperatures of over 2300 degrees Fahrenheit | | | | forms suitable for decorative jewelry. This stage |
| (structural steel melts at around 1520° F)! | | | | can have a great impact on the value of loose |
| The pressure and heat needed to create diamond | | | | diamonds as determined by a diamond appraisal, |
| is found only at the earth's lithosphere where the | | | | and must be done with painstaking care and |
| crust meets the upper mantle - about 90 - 240 | | | | uncommon skill. |
| miles beneath the surface. Diamonds can also | | | | Wholesale certified diamonds must also be |
| form when a meteorite strikes the surface of the | | | | analyzed and graded by a professional gemology |
| earth, creating similar conditions or are carried on | | | | lab. It is here that the stones are evaluated for |
| within the meteorite (some diamonds do come | | | | carat, color and clarity. Along with the results of |
| from outer space!). | | | | the diamond appraisal which evaluates the cut, |
| Coal on the other hand is formed from the | | | | they provide the basis of valuation. |