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| | | pleochroism=None | | | pleochroism=None |
| | | sgravity=3.52 | | | sgravity=3.52 |
| − | | spectral=In pale yellow stones a 415.5 nm line is typical. Irradiated and annealed diamonds often show a line around 594 nm when cooled to low temperatures. | + | | spectral=In pale yellow stones a 415.5 nm line is typical. Irradiated and annealed diamonds often show a line around 594 nm when cooled to low temperatures. |
| | | streak=Colorless | | | streak=Colorless |
| | |} | | |} |
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| | '''Diamond''' is an [[allotrope]] of [[carbon]], and can be formed when carbon atoms are arranged in a tetrahedral fashion when put under immense amounts of heat and pressure. Diamonds are created in the Earth's [[mantle]], due to forces and heat required for their creation, and are sometimes brought near the surface through volcanic eruption. | | '''Diamond''' is an [[allotrope]] of [[carbon]], and can be formed when carbon atoms are arranged in a tetrahedral fashion when put under immense amounts of heat and pressure. Diamonds are created in the Earth's [[mantle]], due to forces and heat required for their creation, and are sometimes brought near the surface through volcanic eruption. |
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| − | Diamonds are also noted for being the hardest natural material on the [[hardness|Moh's Scale]], and fairly rare (deposits are found in [[Kimberlite]] in [[South Africa]]). As such, natural diamonds are used for jewelry, and synthetic diamonds for drill bits. | + | Diamonds are also noted for being the hardest natural material on the [[hardness|Mohs Scale]], and fairly rare (deposits are found in [[Kimberlite]] in [[South Africa]]). As such, natural diamonds are used for jewelry, and synthetic diamonds for drill bits. |
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| | Diamond is the traditional stone for engagement rings, and is the [[birthstone]] for [[April]]. | | Diamond is the traditional stone for engagement rings, and is the [[birthstone]] for [[April]]. |
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| − | ==External Links==
| + | Most of the diamond trade of the world is controlled by [[De Beers]], a [[South African]] company which uses its near-[[monopoly]] to keep the price of diamonds high. Actually diamonds are common within the surface of the [[Earth]], and if it was not for De Beers they would be quite cheap.{{fact}} |
| − | [http://www.minelinks.com/alluvial/diamonds.html Minelinks.com - Diamonds] | |
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| − | [http://www.about-birthstones.com/aprilbirthstone.html About-birthstones.com - April birthstone] | + | In modern times artificial [[diamonds]] can be created. They are used for cheap jewellery and in electronics and cars. In the future it may be possible to use diamonds as a construction material, since carbon is plentiful and cheap.{{fact}} |
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| − | [[category:Birthstones]] | + | ==External links== |
| | + | * [http://www.minelinks.com/alluvial/diamonds.html Minelinks.com - Diamonds] |
| | + | * [http://www.about-birthstones.com/aprilbirthstone.html About-birthstones.com - April birthstone] |
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| | + | [[Category:Birthstones]] |
| | [[Category:Gems]] | | [[Category:Gems]] |
| | [[Category:Luxury]] | | [[Category:Luxury]] |