Class: native elements.
Formula: C, crystalline carbon.
Hardness: 10.
Specific gravity: 3,47-4,55.
Color: colorless to black.
Trait is absent.
Similar minerals beryl, rock crystal, cassiterite, sapphire, sphalerite, topaz, cerussite, zircon, scheelite
The most brilliant, most radiant, the hardest, the most gorgeous and always the most fashionable of all the precious stones. Very, very, very ... king in the hierarchy of the mineral kingdom. It is beyond competition. Cogency of this fact is confirmed not only stunned them crowned heads and the oil sheiks. He still serves as a symbol and pledge of love and is the most desired gift for a wedding or engagement.
Diamond - a rare, yet very widespread mineral. Commercial deposits of diamonds are known on all continents except Antarctica. There are several types of diamond deposits. For several thousand years ago, diamonds were mined on an industrial scale from placer deposits. Only at the end of the XIX century, when the were first discovered diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes, it became clear that the diamonds are not formed in river sediments.
On the origin and age of diamonds is still no accurate scientific data. Scientists have different hypotheses - magmatic, mantle, meteorite, fluid, there is even more exotic theories. Most tend to magmatic and mantle theories, to the fact that the carbon atoms under high pressure (typically, 50,000 atmospheres) and large (approximately 200 km) depth form a cubic crystal lattice - the actual diamond. Stones brought to the surface of volcanic magma during the formation of so-called "volcanic pipes".
Age of diamonds, according to some studies, may be from 100 million to 2.5 billion years.
Known meteorite diamonds, extraterrestrial, perhaps - presolar, origin. Diamonds are also formed by shock metamorphism in the fall of large meteorites, such as Popigayskoy astrobleme in northern Siberia.
In addition, the diamonds were found in rocks in association krovlevyh super-high pressure metamorphism, for example in the field of diamonds on Kumdykulskom Kokchetav massif of Kazakhstan.
AND IMPACT, and metamorphic diamonds sometimes form very large-scale fields with large reserves and high concentration. But in these types of diamond deposits are shallow enough that they have no commercial value.
Extraction and Field
Industrial diamond deposits associated with kimberlite and lamproite pipes, confined to the ancient cratons. The main deposits of this type are known in Africa, Russia, Australia and Canada.
According to materials of the Kimberley Process, the world's diamonds by value in 2008 was $ 12.732 billion (grew by 6.7% over the previous year).
According to the company, "De Beers", in 2004, diamonds (by value) in the leading countries were:
Botswana - $ 2.9 billion;
Russia - $ 2 billion;
Canada - $ 1.4 billion;
South Africa - $ 1.3 billion;
Angola - $ 1.2 billion;
Namibia - $ 0.7 billion
History of diamond mining in Russia
In Russia, the first diamond was found July 4, 1829 in the Urals in the Perm region in the Holy Cross gold mine fourteen serf Pavel Popov, who found the crystal, washing gold in schlich tray. For crystal polukaratny Paul received his freedom. Paul has led scientists, members of the expedition of the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt, the place where he found the first diamond (now this place is called The Diamond Key (the source of the same name) and is located approximately 1 km from the village. Providence near the old road linking the villages fishing and mining and metallurgical Warm Mountain region of Perm region), and there were found two small crystal. For 28 years, further search found only 131 diamonds weighing 60 carats.
The first diamond in Siberia was also namyt of schliches near the town of Yeniseisk in November 1897 at the Mill River. The size of the diamond is 2 / 3 ct. Because of the small size of the discovery of diamonds and diamond exploration to lack of funds was carried out. The next diamond was discovered in Siberia in 1948.
Search for diamonds in Russia was carried out almost half a century, and only in the mid-50s were discovered rich deposits of diamonds in the root of Yakutia. August 21, 1954 Larissa Popugaeva geologist from the Geological Party of Natalya Nikolaevna Sarsadskikh opened the first kimberlite pipe outside South Africa. Her name was symbolic - "Summer Lightning". Another tube was "Peace", which was also symbolic after World War II. Tube was open, "Successful." These discoveries marked the beginning of commercial production of diamonds in the USSR. At the moment, the lion's share of diamonds mined in Russia accounted for Yakut gornoobrabatyvayuschie plants. In addition, large deposits of diamonds are in the area Krasnovishersky Perm region, and in the Arkhangelsk region: Lomonosov deposit in the Primorsky district and field Verhotina (named after V. Grib) in Mezensk area.
Diamond Fever
The origin of the diamond has long been one of the most intriguing mysteries. But in 1871 in what is now South Africa were discovered primary diamond deposits - kimberlite pipes.
Were previously known only to the so-called alluvial deposits, where diamonds are found among the broken rocks - sand and soil deposits, attributed the passage of rivers or the wind far beyond their original formation.
Nature, throwing in one or else these stones, as if to lure people to distract from the main "warehouses." By the placer deposits are famous Indian mines, known since time immemorial and almost completely depleted by the middle of the XVIII century.
Primary deposits of diamonds, as opposed to gravel - it's natural storage.
Imagine a giant tubular cavity having a cone shape, tapering slightly with depth, stretching almost vertically into the ground. Such a tube (geologists call it a diatreme) on the surface has a diameter of several tens to several hundreds of meters. Diatreme is filled with a variety of color rock - kimberlite.
The word "kimberlite" took their name from Kimberley, near which was first discovered this breed. Typically, kimberlite pipes have a depth of 1 km, and sometimes more. Kimberlite consists of olivine, garnet red - pyrope, diopside, mica.
Typically, in South African kimberlites, with industrial value of 10 tonnes of rock contains about 1 gram of diamonds. If we imagine that the kimberlite pipe is composed of grains of equal size, from 10 million grains of only one is a diamond!
It is believed that the majority of South African kimberlite pipes formed in the Cretaceous period, ie from 110 to 140 million years ago. Interestingly, the age of the "Premiere", the largest kimberlite pipe in South Africa is 115 million years.
The discovery of primary diamond deposits allowed to lift the veil on the mystery of the origin of this stone, which nature carefully guarded for centuries.
Having studied the minerals contained in kimberlite pipes, the scientists concluded that they were taken out of the depths of the earth. Diamond crystallization in the magma is located in the bowels of the earth at a depth of 100 km. What is included in the magma? Silicates, some metals, carbon as carbon dioxide, water and other compounds.
High pressure and high temperatures have created favorable conditions for the conversion of carbon into diamond. Under the pressure of accumulated gases magma moved in the vertical cracks in the underlying rocks. Reaching horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks in which there were no vertical cracks, magma temporarily suspended and was spreading among the sedimentary rocks.
As a result, the cooling of magma pressure inside the lesions increased, which led to an explosion of gases. They broke through in the thickness of the overlying rocks vertical vent, the so-called pipe explosion. In these tubes, and froze diamondiferous lived.
It is easy to guess that the opening of South Africa's primary diamond deposits has attracted attention not only to scientists.
The first in this region of diamond lovers rushed to easy money.
Here is how the historian of the time described the current situation: "The sailors from the ships fled, the soldiers left the army. The police dropped weapons and released the prisoners. The merchants fled from their thriving businesses, and employees - out of their offices. And all the race ran to the banks of the Vaal and Orange.
However, only a few participants in this arduous journey was to reach the finish line.
"Trail of Death" - the name given to the road through the dry desert, leading to the diamond mines. It was littered with bones of oxen, mules and horses. A lot of killing here and exhausted people. Those lucky ones who have reached the "promised land", to his great disappointment, we see what a lot of rock needed to work before the flash of the coveted stone. And in those days, the breed scooped buckets of cowhide with a capacity of two spades.
However, industrialists bother to physical work was not necessary. For two and a half dollars a month, he became the owner of the site at the mine. "Hard work makes black." At the bottom of the giant craters, choking clouds of dust, thousands of Africans worked. Often the sheer walls collapsing, burying hundreds of tons of rock disadvantaged people. Once a month, and then only after careful examination and even cleaning the stomach, were released a few hours in town.
In 1880, large businesses, combining their land, have organized joint-stock company "De Beers". Headed by his son, Cecil Rhodes, an Irish priest. Over time, "De Beers" has become a major supplier of diamonds in the world market. Cecil Rhodes became the richest man. Among manufacturers, he gets the nickname of the diamond king. Seeking priumnozhitsvoi capital, he captured the rich mineral resources in the vast territory of South Africa: the area is twice the area of France. Later, the area received the name of Cecil Rhodes - it was called Rhodesia.
Products
Among the precious stones such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, alexandrite, spinel, noble, diamond jewelry on the right holds the first place.
Measure of the mass of precious stones for many centuries, is the carat of 0.2 grams. This mass of one seed of the carob bean family. The ancient goldsmiths and apothecaries established that the flat hard seeds of this tree is remarkably similar in weight, and used them for weighing.
The cost depends on the diamond crystal, color, clarity, presence or absence of inclusions, defects and cracks. Completely transparent stones, with no shades and muddy areas are called diamond-pure water. Distinguish stones first, second, third water. There are stones with natsvetom. Colour shades reduce the value of a diamond, but with rare specimens of natural color (pink-red, blue) are very much appreciated.
There are many so-called "historical diamonds", whose history is lost in the mists of time. One of these stones is a famous Indian diamond 'Koh-i-Noor "- which means" mountain of light ". It was discovered in the mines of Golconda in southern India and weighing 800 carats. At first, they owned the founders of the dynasty of the Great Mongols, then the stone fell into the hands of Shah of Persia conquered India Nadira. Since then, Diamond has replaced a lot of owners until in 1849, has not passed into the possession of the representatives of the East India Company. In 1852 the stone was pereogranen, and as a result his weight dropped from 186 to 109 carats. Unfortunately, this alteration did not go in his favor, and the Koh-i-Noor has lost a large share of its appeal.
No less interesting story is world famous diamond, "Eagles." In the unanimous opinion of experts, it is one of the finest diamonds ever found in India. The diamond was discovered in the XVII century. Initially, he weighed about 300 carats. According to one legend, this stone was one of the diamonds, which served as the eyes of the statue of Brahma. Then it belonged to Nadir Shah. After his fall, the diamond was in Amsterdam, where he was bought from a merchant of Armenian Lazarev for 400 thousand rubles, Count Grigory Orlov and presented to the Empress Catherine II. Now he adorns kept in the Diamond Fund of Russia Imperial scepter. Diamond is faceted as a high "India Rose"
In the world there are many "historical diamonds", including "Great Mogul", "Derianur", "Pitt", "Sancy", "Florence", "Shah", "Shah Akbar" and many others.
Medicinal properties:
Diamond attributed the amazing healing properties. Already the ancient Indians believed that "vibration" of diamond have a positive effect on various body organs, particularly the heart and brain. In ancient times believed that the diamond is able to deal with poisons. I also believe that diamond shield its wearer from disease, distilled bad dreams, struggling with hypochondria, apoplexy and prevent formation of stones in the body.
Indian doctors believed that diamond dust, made of diamonds without flaws, when administered ensures patient strength, energy, beauty, clear skin, happy, long life and good health. The powder is a stone with a flaw contributes to a variety of diseases - from lameness to psoriasis. Hindus believe that a diamond reduces heat, fights infections, helps with skin diseases, fatigue, and activates the metabolism. With a diamond ring helps in childbirth. Particularly active in this respect green diamonds, which are even considered a symbol of motherhood.
Modern litoterapevty not advise others to wear jewelry with diamonds or the stones of poor quality, not to mention synthetic diamonds. To promote health, they are advised to drink daily glass of "diamond" of water in which the night had lain gold jewelry with diamonds. Not recommended for this use jewelry belonging to another person or with low-quality stones. Well "work" diamonds in contact healing. People impulsive, with high blood pressure, always wear jewelry with diamonds is not recommended.
Talismans and Amulets:
Even the ancients believed that the diamond has the sole power, he is one of the most powerful stones and, perhaps, the most demanding. If people can not or do not want to objectively evaluate their actions and take full responsibility for them, the stone can bring bad luck. Diamond does not forgive weakness to its owner, leniency toward his own person and self-justification.
Diamond gives the courage and firmness, gives victory over our enemies, if the case of the holder the right. In the hands of the criminal he is able to draw upon his evil forces. It is believed that stolen or dishonestly acquired diamond will bring great misfortune, and often a quick death.
In the East, where it is popular since ancient times, believed that a diamond gives the sharpness of mind and protects against sadness, revelry and magic, the fantasy and the evil spirits. No animal would dare to attack the owner of the diamond. People with a strong-willed, it guarantees prosperity and success in business, maintains good spirits, determination, self-confidence. Purifies the physical and astral body
Stone, who joined or donated by inheritance, can be worn only if you know what to give his people treat you favorably. Bought the stone must lie in the house for a long time (seven years), and only after he gets used to you, it can be.
Recommend to straighten diamond gold or platinum, worn on the left side.
Ayubimets God and man, a diamond its beauty preaches love as the highest virtue. According to Roman mythology, the god of love Cupid struck the hearts of men and gods of gold, with diamond-tipped arrows.
Compliance with the sign of the Zodiac:
Astrologers believe diamond stone of the Sun and Venus
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