Diamonds - Gemstones

About Diamonds and Gemstones

Gemstones can be formed by the petrifaction of organic substances as well as by mineral accumulation and rock formation. Highly prized for their dazzle, rarity and toughness they have graced royal crowns and collections and been an irreplaceable industrial tool. Amber and diamonds are gems formed from organic substances petrified under the earths surface by tremendous pressure.

Gems are usually not used in the form they are found but are cut and polished. Gems are classified into cabochons which are dome shaped and facets which have flat surfaces.  Opaque stones like opal are usually dome shaped. Gems are very often attributed as possessing special healing powers and are widely used in Hindu astrology and medical sciences. 

Diamonds

Diamonds have enthralled us for centuries and inspired great adventures, bloody feuds and wonderful fictions and films.  Diamonds are the hardest compound found on earth so that only another diamond can cut it. The Greek word for invincible, adamas, gives rise to the name diamond. Clearly the stone has been considered unsurpassable in its beauty and use from ancient times. So much so that in ancient India the diamond was a religious icon and even the early man had used it for engraving.

Formation and Properties

To those who are familiar with this brilliant stone, it can come as a surprise that it is a close brother of ordinary coal and soot. This very coal, which is formed from carbon due to compression, in fact gets transformed into diamonds due to further compression.

These stones are usually colorless but yellow, pink and even black diamonds exist.

Diamonds are formed deep within the earths surface and are usually brought up by volcanoes with craters 150km (90miles) deep, when these volcanoes erupt.

Diamonds are classified by the 4 Cs- carat (weight), cut, color and clarity. The largest diamond deposits are in Australia, Ghana, Zaire, Russia, USA and Brazil.

Mining Diamonds

Diamonds are these days identified with X-Ray emissions and then sorted by hand. Previously this was done using grease belts as diamonds stick to grease more than other minerals.

Only 20% of all mined diamonds are cut to be used. The rest are rejected due to flaws.

Interesting Facts About Diamonds

Diamonds throughout ages have given rise to war and bloodshed because of their value and symbolic importance. One such example from today is the state of the diamond business in parts of Africa. Feuding groups and militants are selling these diamonds to fund their operations. These diamonds are known as the blood diamonds. The UN has enforced regulations on imports from these regions to stop the import of the blood diamonds. But still about 2 to 3% of all diamonds sold in the world are possibly blood diamonds smuggled into legitimate diamonds.

Diamonds are said to possess healing powers and are thought good for diseases of the brain. They are also associated with purity, joy and life.

The biggest known diamond of the world is the Cullinan diamond weighing 3,106 carats when found. It has been since cut into two pieces, The Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa weighing 530.2 carats and Cullinan II or The Second Star of Africa, weighing 317 carats. Other famous diamonds are the Excelsior diamond, the Hope diamond, the Regent diamond and the Great Mogul diamond the last belonging to emperor Nadir Shah of India. After the emperor was murdered the diamond was never again found. 

About Gemstones

Emeralds 

Emeralds are very fascinating stones also. These intensely green gems get their name from the French esmeralde which in turn is derived from the Greek smaragdos. They have fascinated us so much that numerous and fantastic stories have been made around them. One of the most famous emeralds is the Mogul Emerald. This legendary stone from India, with Muslim holy inscriptions on one side and floral decorations on the other was some years back auctioned at Christies for 2.2 million US dollars.

Rubies

The ruby is probably the most loved of all gemstones and one of the hardest. Because of its precious red color it is often associated with romance. India is the most famous origin for rubies. Indian kings treated the gem with royal respect.

Sapphires

The color of the sky is found in the sapphire. It was even believed that the sky is a gigantic sapphire. Because we associate the color blue with soft and emotional feelings the sapphire has been linked to constancy, harmony and reliability. For this reason sometimes a sapphire is used instead of a diamond in engagement rings. It is one of the most durable stones.

Other very popular gems include opal, topaz and quartz and also pearls and corals which are formed by organic deposits.

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