Diamond is the ultimate gemstone, having few weaknesses and many strengths. It is well known that Diamond is the hardest substance found in nature, but few people realize that Diamond is four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum (sapphire and ruby). But even as hard as it is, it is not impervious. Diamond has four directions of cleavage, meaning that if it receives a sharp blow in one of these directions it will cleave, or split. A skilled diamond setter and/or jeweler will prevent any of these directions from being in a position to be struck while mounted in a jewelry piece. As a gemstone, Diamond's single flaw (perfect cleavage) is far outdistanced by the sum of its positive qualities. It has a broad color range, high refraction, high dispersion or fire, very low reactivity to chemicals, rarity, and of course, extreme hardness and durability.
Hardness: Diamond is a perfect "10", defining the top of the hardness
scale, and by absolute measures four times harder than sapphire (which
is #9 on that scale). Clarity: Diamond is transparent over a larger range of wavelengths
(from the ultraviolet into the far infrared) than is any other solid or
liquid substance - nothing else even comes close.Thermal Conductivity: Diamond conducts heat better than anything - five
times better than the second best element, Silver! Melting Point: Diamond has the highest melting point (3820 degrees
Kelvin)Lattice Density: The atoms of Diamond are packed closer together than
are the atoms of any other substance Tensile Strength: Diamond has the highest tensile strength of any
material, at 2.8 gigapascals. However, that does not quite translate
into the strongest rope or cable, as diamond has cleavage planes which
support crack propagation. The strongest ropes can likely be made from
another material, carbon nanotubes, as they should not suffer from the
effects of cracks and break. Still, if a long, thin, perfect crystal of
diamond could be manufactured, it would offer the highest possible
pulling strength (in a straight line - don't try to tie it in a knot!)
scale, and by absolute measures four times harder than sapphire (which
is #9 on that scale). Clarity: Diamond is transparent over a larger range of wavelengths
(from the ultraviolet into the far infrared) than is any other solid or
liquid substance - nothing else even comes close.Thermal Conductivity: Diamond conducts heat better than anything - five
times better than the second best element, Silver! Melting Point: Diamond has the highest melting point (3820 degrees
Kelvin)Lattice Density: The atoms of Diamond are packed closer together than
are the atoms of any other substance Tensile Strength: Diamond has the highest tensile strength of any
material, at 2.8 gigapascals. However, that does not quite translate
into the strongest rope or cable, as diamond has cleavage planes which
support crack propagation. The strongest ropes can likely be made from
another material, carbon nanotubes, as they should not suffer from the
effects of cracks and break. Still, if a long, thin, perfect crystal of
diamond could be manufactured, it would offer the highest possible
pulling strength (in a straight line - don't try to tie it in a knot!)
No comments:
Post a Comment