ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 5: Issue 11, August 4, 2004
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ORE FEATURES: Diamond (part 1) by Stephanie Pflumm The Diamond is probably the most written about gemstone in history. So much has been reported on this carbon crystal that I have put off writing my own article numerous times. Until my mother passed away and I received one of her rings, which was set with Diamonds. She called it her cocktail ring. Dad had given it to her as a reward for moving in and out of seven different houses in almost as many years (10), there are seven stones in the ring. Coincidentally there are six of us kids and six of the stones are set in a circle surrounding a center stone. Which now (for my interpretation) represents my mother and her six children. Even with this special gift, I still wasn't ready to dig into Diamond crystals. After all, because of its highly manufactured rarity, it is not an easy stone for people to afford. There are so many other teachers and guides in the crystal world that are much easier for most of us to attain. Except the crystals kept pestering me. At first I thought perhaps it was just a need on my part to feel that connection to my mother when I wore her ring. Besides the ring itself is a bit gaudy to be wearing everyday. However, each time I put the ring back away after a family event or holiday, I would hear "it's time to stop ignoring us". Still, I pretended not to hear and allowed the months to slip past. Then on Mother's Day I got mom's ring out of its safe place to spend a little time reminiscing about her. As I put the ring on, this chorus rang through my head "just give us a chance", "we have something to share", "please give us a voice", "listen, listen". That's just a little sample of their assault on my thoughts. So I promised that before the end of the Summer I would allow them to teach me about Diamonds. Diamonds are crystallized carbon, one of the most basic elements of life. Carbon is not an easy element to crystallize, more often it is found as a soft, easy to powder mass called Graphite. The temperatures and pressures needed to form this carbon crystal are far more extreme and intense than what any other gemstone developed under. In fact the Diamond crystal itself will only melt when subjected to temperatures well over 3500 degrees Kelvin (3820 to be exact). As the Diamond crystal grows, one carbon atom bonds itself to four other carbon atoms forming a tetrahedral crystal (pyramid shape). Each bond is exactly the same length as the others. It is this consistency in its formation that makes the Diamond so strong. Most references claim it to be the strongest substance on Earth. I did find one reference to a cubic boron nitride (borazon) which is suppose to be stronger. Carbon crystals twin frequently and occasionally the surface of the crystal's face will be round. It also occurs as pebbles and grains, and is easy to confuse with Quartz in the field. The process that causes carbon to crystallize begins deep below the surface of Earth. The temperatures and pressures needed to form this durable gemstone can only occur in Mother's subterranean molten heart. For this reason, geologists are unable to determine exactly what type of event is the catalyst for morphing this element. Once the metamorphis is complete, Diamond crystals are thrust to the surface via volcanic pipes or plugs consisting of Olivine (aka kimberlite). Gemstones are then mined by either crushing away the kimberlite, or collecting them from placer deposits (places where gemstones and precious metals collect when their host stones are washed and worn away by weather). India was the first and for a few thousand years the only place where Diamonds were mined. Many of India's largest and most legendary gemstones ended up in the British treasury, about the same time she won her independence from the Royal Crown. Eventually, with the discovery of the Americas, the crystals were found in Brazil and then the motherlode was discovered in West and South Africa. Suddenly the Diamond was not so rare. Can you imagine the surprise of the DeBeers conglomerate when Diamonds were found in Arkansas in 1906? If you are not familiar with the name, DeBeers, in conjunction with the Diamond Promotion Service are responsible for a choke hold grip on the flow of Diamond gemstones into the marketplace. The high cost of Diamond jewelry depends almost solely on the ability to control how much gets to us, the consumers. According to a variety of industry "experts" it can take from 250 to 500 tons of rock to mine a single, perfect finished gemstone weighing less than a carat. While exact proof is difficult to uncover, I suspect that 250 tons of stone for one tiny Diamond is a bit exaggerated. One truth in Diamond marketing, a gem cutter will normally cut away about 50% of the gemstone to achieve the final faceted product. Other known locations that have produced these carbon crystals are Russia and California. Tiny Diamond nuggets were often found mixed in with Gold flakes in several placer deposits during the Gold Rush. Unlike other gemstones with rare colorless specimens and many colorful ones, the rare Diamond is one with color. Yellow is the second most common color after clear, however the occasional pink, blue, orange, green and a variety of browns with fancy names like champagne or cognac are found. Heat treatments and irradiation can color some clear gemstones, but real Diamonds of color are indeed unusual and truly valuable. The Diamond has an interesting opposite twin in another carbon mineral, Graphite. A simple switch in the way the carbon elements bond changes everything. Graphite is dark and dull, Diamond is transparent and brilliant with high light dispersion (breaks light down into the color spectrum). Graphite is very soft, Diamond is very hard. Graphite is used as a lubricant, Diamond is the most abrasive material available. Diamond is a perfect electrical insulation, Graphite conducts electricity. In the 1950's industry was able to use Graphite to create Diamonds for manufacturing applications. Gigantic hydraulic presses are used with extreme high temperatures to imitate Mother's creation process. A metallic catalyst is added, and within a few hours the Graphite will convert to tiny flawed carbon crystals. Excellent for industrial applications, but not suitable for jewelry. The process is called High Pressure High Temperature Synthesis (HPHT). The vast majority of Diamonds come to the marketplace faceted, and a fair percentage of those arrive set already in jewelry. Faceting is the art of cutting and polishing tiny edges (using a fine Diamond grinder) that allow light to flow through and reflect back out of a gemstone. It is these facets that make a gem sparkle. The most popular cut for Diamonds is the round brilliant with 58 different facets. Each face on a cut stone is considered a facet, including the top flat surface. Depth of the cut is critical to the ability of light to play off of it. A shallow gem allows light to "fall through it" without reflecting back out. Too much depth and the light becomes "trapped" in the bottom of the stone. Other cuts include: marquise, pear, oval, emerald, princess, heart (one of the more expensive cuts) and baguettes (which are used primarily as tiny accents with other stones). Next month we will explore the history with this legendary crystal and how to work with it in our lives. --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Small Quartz Crystal! Receive a small Quartz crystal with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be a subscriber as of August 4, 2004 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. The Subscriber's Special will expire August 31, 2004. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Fourth Quarter Moon, Saturday August 7 6:01 pm ET -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- Poetry Traveling North Cloaked in a transparent Sweet memories Politics - Please! The political scene Please! My son serves the military Please! Is there a way Please! Enlighten our leaders Please -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Three Questions Contest - If I were the owner! This month we are playing a fairly new contest at Ozark Rock Exchange - If I Were The Owner three questions. It's a simple contest to enter, below are three statements to complete, email your entry to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com and you are entered. 1. If I owned Ozark Rock Exchange I would add ___________ to the catalog. Winner will be chosen by random drawing (so don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings) and will receive a Chakra Pouch: Send your entry to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com Entries must be received by midnight (CDST) Tuesday August 31st. Winner will be announced in the September issue of ORE FEATURES and at the website. Pictures of the prize and more information is available at http://www.ozarkrockexchangecom/highlights/events/index.shtml -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? NEW RAW PIECES HAVE ARRIVED!: An awesome shipment of raw Moss Agates, Obsidians, rare Jaspers from India and Amethyst clusters has just arrived. Unfortunately I've been away at shows the last two weekends, but I should have all the new pieces in the catalog by Saturday or Sunday. Will send out a note when everything is added. ADDING TO THE CATALOG: Slowly but surely I am adding several not really new items to the catalog. Now that the catalog is more easily updated, I am including many of the one-of-a-kind pieces that in the past have mostly traveled to shows with me. Watch for lots more spheres and unique pieces to be added over the next month or two. GAEA GODDESS GATHERING: Is coming in September, the 16th through the 19th. This will be my second year for the annual Gaea Goddess Gathering at Camp Gaea just outside Kansas City. This is a wonderful retreat that is exclusively for women. There are classes, dancing, rituals, lots of fun and great vendors. Even the food was wonderful! If you'd like more information on the gathering, here is their website: http://www.gaeagoddessgathering.com NICKEL DEALS: Ozark Rock Exchange is celebrating our Fifth Anniversary all year long with Nickel Deals! This month's nickel deals are: buy any five gemstones and get the 6th one for a nickel! Or purchase one of the genuine gemstone strands for only Five Cents with any $50 purchase: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=34 MOBILE ORE STORE |
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