What is a diamond? Diamond - A pure, precious gem that is an extremely hard form of carbon that is naturally crystallized in the isometric system. History of diamonds The value of the diamond has been passed down from the ancient Greeks to modern day society. A diamond is not only multi-dimensional but multi- faceted as well. Once thought to be tears from the gods or shards from fallen stars the true definition is now known. The given definition states: that a diamond is a pure, precious gem that is an extremely hard form of carbon that is naturally crystallized in the isometric system. The formal name diamond is derived from the Greek word, “Adamas” meaning unconquerable and indestructible. Its presence has evolved through the ages and significance has been correlated with magic powers, strength, courage, invincibility, magic, and love. Diamonds are recognized as symbols of love. Thus, giving way to the ever-popular wedding ring. However, only roughly 20% of mined diamonds are used as jewelry. The other 80% are in other uses such as cutting, x-rays, lasers, thermal conductivity, slurries, and future uses in the medical field such as prosthetic joints. With an emphasis on their value diamonds can now be man made as well. Diamonds come in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes. It is these differences that play a significant role in their overall appearance and price range. The larger, better clarity diamonds are the most expensive. Natural Diamond Formation Process Diamonds are comprised of pure carbon and are one of the hardest substances know to man. Diamonds naturally from deep in the Lithosphere of the Earths mantle at depths between 140 to 190 kilometers. For a diamond to from the temperature has to be greater than 800 degrees Celsius and the pressure has to be greater than 750,000 pounds per square inch. Currently we are unsure of the exact amount of time it takes for a diamond to form in the Earth, but we do know from carbon dating that many of the diamonds that we mine range from millions of years old to a billion years. To reach the surface diamonds travel through volcanic vents called Kimberlite pipes moving at the rate of miles per hour. Once hey reach the surface they exit with volcanic eruptions. From there they get deposited into the upper layers of the Earths mantle. Some of the traveling diamonds make it to the surface but most have to be mined and processed into a usable state. Synthetic Diamond The first documented synthetic diamond growth was in 1952 by William Eversole. Since then the way we manufacture diamonds has changed immensely. There are two common (and very different) ways to make synthetic diamonds. High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis attempts to mimic how diamonds are made in the Earth’s core. Just like it sounds, HPHT involves exposing graphite to extreme temperatures and pressures to either form a new diamond or alter the color of a natural diamond. The second way is called chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and is much more efficient than HPHT. Diamonds grown using CVD are chemically, physically, and optically identical to real diamonds. In fact, companies that grow diamonds using CVD are required to microscopically mark the diamonds as synthetic so that people know they are not real. To grow a diamond using CVD researchers start out with a diamond plate thinner than a human hair, called a “seed”. This plate is placed into a vacuum chamber that is then pumped with a myriad of hot gasses. The gasses pumped in are all around 1000 degrees Celsius and although the exact recipe is confidential, the gasses used are all carbon based. In the extreme temperatures and low pressures of the vacuum chamber, the carbon molecules disassociate from the gasses and attach themselves to the diamond seeds in the same configuration that has already been mapped out. By using CVD, diamonds can be grown into shapes and sizes that would never naturally occur. Colors can even be changed by adding other elements. Nitrogen will turn the diamond yellow and boron gas will turn the diamond blue. Fig 2. Finish Synthetic Diamond First Synthetic Diamond The first documented synthetic diamond growth was in 1952 by William Eversole. Since then the way we manufacture diamonds has changed immensely. There are two common (and very different) ways to make synthetic diamonds. High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis attempts to mimic how diamonds are made in the Earth’s core. Just like it sounds, HPHT involves exposing graphite to extreme temperatures and pressures to either form a new diamond or alter the color of a natural diamond. The second way is called chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and is much more efficient than HPHT. Diamonds grown using CVD are chemically, physically, and optically identical to real diamonds. In fact, companies that grow diamonds using CVD are required to microscopically mark the diamonds as synthetic so that people know they are not real. To grow a diamond using CVD researchers start out with a diamond plate thinner than a human hair, called a “seed”. This plate is placed into a vacuum chamber that is then pumped with a myriad of hot gasses. The gasses pumped in are all around 1000 degrees Celsius and although the exact recipe is confidential, the gasses used are all carbon based. In the extreme temperatures and low pressures of the vacuum chamber, the carbon molecules disassociate from the gasses and attach themselves to the diamond seeds in the same configuration that has already been mapped out. By using CVD, diamonds can be grown into shapes and sizes that would never naturally occur. Colors can even be changed by adding other elements. Nitrogen will turn the diamond yellow and boron gas will turn the diamond blue.  As the name suggests, shape (round, princess, radiant, etc.) describes a diamond's form, primarily as viewed from above. All diamond shapes have different attributes, but overall the beauty of the individual shapes is a matter of personal taste.  Almost all diamonds have tiny imperfections. Diamonds with few or no imperfections receive the highest clarity grades.  The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance. Put simply, the better a diamond is cut, the more sparkle it will have. This is the term with which people are most familiar, but bear in mind that carat is specifically a measure of a diamond's weight. more  A diamond's color grade actually refers to the lack of color. In other words, diamonds that are white, containing little or no color, receive higher quality grades than those with visible color.  Unbiased diamond grading reports are offered with every Blue Nile diamond. Fig 1. Natural diamond