Everyone knows diamonds are a girls best friend, but did you know April's birthstone is DIAMOND?
Diamonds are a solid form of carbon and are one of the hardest known substances on Earth. They have captivated humans for centuries with their brilliance, durability, and rarity. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of diamonds, from their formation deep within the Earth to their use in jewellery and industry.
What makes diamonds so hard?
Diamonds get their exceptional hardness from their unique atomic structure. Each carbon atom in a diamond is bonded to four other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. This strong covalent bonding gives diamonds their incredible strength and makes them resistant to scratching, cutting, and abrasion.
How are diamonds formed?
Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle, under extreme heat and pressure conditions. The process begins around 100 miles below the Earth's surface, where carbon-rich rocks are subjected to intense heat and pressure. Over many years, these rocks are transported to the surface through volcanic eruptions, bringing diamonds along with them.
What gives diamonds their color?
While diamonds are commonly associated with white or colorless stones, they can actually come in a wide range of colors. The presence of impurities or structural defects during diamond formation can give rise to different colors. For example, the presence of nitrogen can result in a yellow or brown hue, while boron can create a blue diamond. The rarest and most valuable diamonds are those that exhibit intense and vivid colors, such as pink, red, and green.
How are diamonds used in jewellery?
Diamonds have been prized as gemstones for centuries and are a symbol of luxury and beauty. They are typically cut and polished into various shapes, such as round brilliant, princess, or emerald, to maximize their brilliance and sparkle. Diamonds are then set into jewellery pieces, such as rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. The 4C's—carat weight, color, clarity, and cut—are used to evaluate the quality and value of a diamond.
What are the industrial uses of diamonds?
Due to their exceptional hardness, diamonds have a wide range of industrial applications. They are used as cutting and grinding tools in industries such as mining, construction, and manufacturing. Diamond-coated drill bits, saw blades, and grinding wheels are highly efficient and can withstand the demands of tough materials. Diamonds are also used in high-precision scientific instruments, such as diamond anvils used to generate extreme pressures in laboratories.
Above all, they make for great jewellery and accompany other gemstones beautifully! This makes them an incredible and classic stone to use in wedding and engagement rings. At Custom Jewellery Co, we make custom made wedding rings and custom engagement rings, tailored specifically to your wants.
If you have a design in mind that you'd like to bring to life or if you would like to chat about custom designed jewellery with diamond, contact us to discuss design options.