Hobbies And Interests
Formation
Diamonds, real and simulated, are formed by extreme pressure and high temperatures. Real diamonds are formed in the mantle, 150 kilometers below the earth's surface. Carbon is condensed and crystallized between crust's pressure and the core's heat. They embed themselves on kimberlite or solidified magma that comes through volcano "pipes". This process takes billions of years but today's technology allows for a faster diamond-formation. Simulated diamonds, sometimes referred to as synthetic diamonds, are formed by the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method which mimics the natural formation of diamonds. Chemical Vapor Disposition (CVD) is another method that form simulates diamonds.
Quality
All diamonds, real or simulated, are appraised according to four qualities: carat or weight, clarity, color and cut. The heavier, clearer, and more transparent the diamonds are, the higher their value is. Real diamonds are formed from pure carbon so there are fewer impurities that give tint to diamonds. This results in clearer, more valuable diamonds. Since simulated diamonds are formed with the aid of chemicals, they are more likely to have color. However, the hardness of simulated diamonds manufactured through CVD can be manipulated and that make them harder than real diamonds.
Uses
Diamonds have gone far beyond just being a girl's best friend. It has been a valuable tool in science and industry as well. The cutting tools used for dense materials like granite also employ the use of diamonds. For jewelry, the demand for real jewelry is still high due to its clarity and color, or lack thereof. Simulated diamonds are used in a more industrial manner. It's an ideal choice for machine and cutting than real diamonds because it's harder and more affordable. In addition to being affordable, simulated diamonds are used in waste water treatment of organic effluents because they are chemically inert.
Price
As of 2010, the average price of a high-quality one carat real diamond ring is $16,000. A simulated ring in the exact same setting would cost $1,000 on average.
Conflicts
The demand for real diamonds is so high that it has fueled a currency that many African countries like Angola and Sierra Leone use to fund their civil conflicts. Called blood diamonds or conflict diamonds, real diamonds that are mined from rebel-held countries have been used to weapons, money laundering and organized crime. The demand for real diamonds when it comes to jewelry still surpasses the demand for simulated diamonds. The highest valued diamonds are ideally colorless and clear. Simulated diamonds usually yellow because of impurities in its manufacturing process. Even with the availability of simulated diamonds, the conflict for blood diamonds still continues.