Everything you wanted to know about diamonds.

Being the hardest natural element known on Earth, diamonds are good for a wide variety of uses. However, although they can be used to conduct heat, they are not very good as a conductor of electricity. There are some rare forms though, known as type IIB that can be used as semiconductors.

The force of being buried under great pressure and heat is what causes carbon to form into diamonds. These are then pushed up to the surface in a rare type of magma called kimberlite and forced out from a diatreme or pipe type of volcanic vent.

Due to the tightly compacted atoms and electrons in the composition of a diamond, it has the ability to reduce the velocity of light that passes through it. This is what gives a diamond its unique lustre.

It was first discovered to be carbon in 1796, and it took more than 150 years from that time until a method of diamond synthesis was invented.

Due to the toughness of a diamond, only a diamond can cut other diamonds. However, due to its tough nature, it has many industrial uses from cutting and polishing to grinding and is heavily used in the production of industrial rock drills. Although mainly used in the industrial sector, diamond is also a high-tech material that is beginning to be used more often in home electronics, appliances, and automobiles.

Diamonds are also one of the most popular stones used in jewellery. Jewellery made from diamond is deemed to be classic jewellery and is used from weddings, engagements, anniversaries, right down to celebrity award ceremonies.

Diamond jewellery is made using 18KT of gold because gold must have certain hardness for setting diamonds.

Diamonds have been recognised as a symbol of love, joy and romance since the 15th Century. This all came from a romantic gesture by Archduke Maximilian of Austria giving Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring on their engagement. Since this time, all forms of diamond jewellery have been deemed to show everlasting love and affection. Diamonds are also used to portray great wealth, status and success and are worn to show this.

Carat is the size or weight measurement of the diamond and unlike gold is not simply so much per carat. Diamond prices vary considerably according to the 3 Cs. These are color, clarity and cut.

There are often impurities in diamonds that cause them to have a hint of color rather than being clear. These diamonds are generally less expensive than a clear diamond, however, depending on their cut may still demand a reasonable price. Cutting colored diamonds requires that the diamond is cut to enhance the color. In the case of a clear diamond, it can be cut with a deep cut, shallow cut or perfect length. This is the only human contribution that helps determine the price of the diamond.

A diamond displays the maximum amount of reflectance for a transparent substance, displaying what is called an 'adamantine' lustre. However, it cannot be polished again and again as it loses its properties.

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