DIAMONDS

Ebony Baker

My connection

This past year, I began working for the fine jewelry department inside of Macy’s department store. I did not know anything about jewelry before working here and have learned a great deal in the process.

Questions

Take a moment to branch what you know about diamonds. This can be anything at all.

Now find some questions that you would like to know about them. Maybe they will be answered through this project.

My questions beginning this are: What exactly IS a diamond? How are they made? How long does it take to create a diamond? How do they differ? What are their uses?

Vocabulary

Carat- way to measure a diamonds weight. 100 points for a carat

Rough Diamond- name for a diamond that has not been cut or shaped

Diamond

Originates from the Greek word, Adamas meaning, Indestructable.

Hardest natural material

Origin

They were seen as early as 500 BC maybe earlier in India.

Diamonds have been seen in recent history being mined in South America as well as other places as early as the 17th century

Creation

Seeing as diamonds are create by only one element, Carbon, they are very difficult to make and take many, many years.

Temperature, pressure, and time are all factors in creating a diamond.

Diamonds are created in the certain circumstances: Depth of 75-120 miles below the surface At least 2,220* F! At least 1 billion years to have time to form

Surfacing

Like said, the diamonds once finally formed are well below the Earth’s surface. So how do they get to where we can extract them?

Volcanoes are one way that the diamonds move their way to the surface. As a volcanoes erupts, the lava picks up some of the stones and carries them to where we can mine them

Process to Create

The shape the diamond is cut into is determined by the rough diamond. Different exceptions allow in this decision

About half the original weight is lost when cutting a rough diamond.

SizesThe size of the diamond is one of the determining factors of prices. The greater the carat size, the larger the price.

ColoringColoring of the diamond is also a factor in the price of the final stone. D, E, F are the colorless stones. They are very high in price and contain no carbon spots in the area. The higher up the alphabet you get on the scale, the less valuable the stone becomes because of the yellowing color.

Cuts

There are six different types of cuts that the diamond can be shaped into for your buying pleasure

The cut of the diamond can determine how the diamond looks under light. Different cuts basically shine differently.

PrincessBaguetteEmerald

PearHeartOval

RoundMarquise

Differences in Types

There are many different types of diamonds. Some are more rare and some you’d be surprised about.

White Diamonds Pink DiamondsChocolate Diamonds Yellow DiamondsChampaign Diamonds Black DiamondsBlue Diamonds Green Diamonds

Uses

The most obvious use for diamonds would be for engagement and personal rings.

Diamonds are also used in tools because of the hardness of the gem.

Famous diamonds

Of course diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but some diamonds are so well known and breathtaking that they are famous!

Check out the link to learn about some different diamonds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_famous_diamonds

Blood Diamonds

Also known as “conflict diamonds”

These are seen coming from Africa

Sort of a Black Market for diamonds

Why these are called this name is because of the way that the diamonds are being taken from the mines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is so much that we as consumers do not know about diamonds. Everyone deals with diamonds once in their life, whether it is buying for someone or themselves. Knowing some of these facts can help get you the best diamond to make it truly special

References

http://www.gemsutra.com/diamonds.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond#His

tory http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01938/

history.html http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Are-Diamo

nds-Formed&id=405139

http://www.costellos.com.au/diamonds/types.html