Commercial and consumer use of diamonds
Author: Mithun Rao


Most of us think of a diamond as an expensive gem that is
used in jewelry; a gem that enhances the beauty of a lady's
finger or her neckline. Not many can think of this
brilliant piece as an essential part of machinery. The two
aspects of this gem are so diverse in association and
nature that one does not really associate the two uses with
each other.

The diamond has certain very unique properties that enable
it to be used in these various applications. It is the
hardest substance on earth, has an extremely high thermal
conductivity, is optically transparent and has high
electrical resistance.

The hardness property of the diamond makes it amenable to
be used as a cutting tool, especially for hard substances
like marble, granite and hard wood. It is embedded in
mechanical tools to enable the shaping of engine blocks and
automotive components.

Once the process of developing synthetic diamonds was
discovered, these synthetic diamonds were obviously the
most preferred option for use in machinery. Other than the
cost, there are other advantages of using synthetic
diamonds in tools. The growth of the synthetic diamond can
be monitored, controlled and the diamond can be shaped in
the manner desired. This is not the case with respect to
natural diamonds where nature determines the shape, size
and contours of the diamond based on various random natural
events. Since the development of the synthetic diamond
takes place in a laboratory, the level of impurities and
mineral inclusions can be controlled. Due to these reasons
and more the synthetic diamond today is sturdier as
compared to the natural ones.

Another property that lends itself to use in mechanical
work is that of thermal conductivity. The type IIa diamond
can conduct up to 5 times more heat than the metal copper.
The fact that it can absorb high levels of heat means that
it can be used to reduce the friction in many engineering
parts. Including the diamond as a 'heat sink' helps in
extending the life of the machinery since it avoids wear
and tear due to friction and heat. 'Slices' of synthetic
diamonds are also be used for other industrial and surgical
tools.

Much research is being done to use diamond chips instead of
silicon chips in computers and it is being said that such
computers would be 1000 times faster than the existing ones.

Even though the diamonds were being produced synthetically
in the early 1990's, they had not made their appearance in
the jewelry industry. Large synthetic diamonds could be
used only by using a lot of energy and ultra-modern
technology. Since the engineering and mechanical market
needs were yet not being met completely by the synthetic
diamond supply, the proliferation of the synthetic diamond
in the jewelry industry was abated. Another reason why the
synthetic diamonds did not make their way into the studded
necklaces was the fact that most of the synthetic diamonds
being produced were still yellow or brownish in color.

The development and growth process of large diamonds
required for the tools industry itself took too long. In
1990, De Beers claimed to have produced the largest
synthetic diamond; a yellowish brown piece that was about
14.20 carats. This diamond alone took 500 hours to grow.
Three years later they reported having produced a 34.80
carat crystal that took 600 hours to grow. Another few
years and De Beers claimed that it was possible to produce
30 carat crystals in lesser time. But now one can find
synthetic diamonds in many fancy colours and in white
colorless shades too.

Even though there were great obstacles in perfecting the
art of making gem quality synthetic diamonds, some
companies forged ahead and continued to research the
process. The challenge that they faced was that they could
not keep nitrogen out of the process of production, the gas
that gave the diamonds the yellow color. GE was the first
company to produce an almost colorless synthetic diamond by
eliminating nitrogen from the process. This was done by
using a metal flux, a substance that melts and dissolves
other material in it. Special compounds were added to the
metal flux to keep the nitrogen from entering the process
chambers. Even though De Beers had also discovered the art
of making synthetic colorless diamonds, neither company
released their experiments and the colorless gems that came
from them into the market. However, a Thai-Russian joint
venture in Thailand distributed synthetic colorless
diamonds into the market.

Since the jewelry market does not require large pieces,
these colorless synthetics are faster to grow, produce and
sell in the market. Though the synthetic diamonds gives a
larger audience to the jewelry designers, they increase the
possibility of being swindled, fraud and non-disclosure. As
the production process is perfected and better quality
colorless synthetics are produced and marketed each year,
the challenge for the professionals in the jewelry industry
becomes harder.

Source: GIA


About the Author:

Mithun Rao, a jewelry professional, holds degree in
gemology and jewelry design from Mumbai and has spent 10
years in the industry (incuding running his own jewelry
shop). With an obsession for gems and precious stones, he
also shares a passion for music, painting and wishes to
explore new places, and understand new cultures. He owns
and manages the gemstones and diamonds site
http://www.gehnabazaar.com