9.45 Diamond Facts
Today, thousands of diamonds are given as special gifts to people’s loved ones. Learn about how diamonds are formed, where they are found, their role in history and some harmful effects of diamond mining.
All About Diamonds
Did you know that the only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond? Did you know that in order to burn a diamond you would have to heat it to a temperature of around 1,300 degrees? Even though diamonds are viewed as something beautiful and delicate, they are actually quite strong and are the hardest natural substance on Earth. These beautiful jewels have rightfully earned the name diamond, which is from the Greek word for invincible.
Diamonds form in the mantle
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Diamonds start out as carbon in the Earth’s mantle, the layer underneath the crust. The Earth’s mantle is very hot, between about 2000 and 7000 degrees Fahrenheit. Talk about being too hot to handle! The heat and the high pressure of the Earth’s surface on the mantle is what causes the carbon atoms to bond together. The bonding of the atoms causes crystals to form beautiful diamonds. The diamonds make their way to the Earth’s surface through a special kind of volcanic eruption that comes from deep in the Earth.
A diamond mine in Russia
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1. Main points:
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth, formed under high heat and pressure in the Earth’s mantle, and are made of carbon atoms that bond together to create crystals.
2. Questions:
- Content Analysis: What are diamonds made of, and where do they form?
- Contextual Analysis: How do the conditions in the Earth’s mantle contribute to the formation of diamonds?
- Linguistic Analysis: What words are used to describe diamonds in the text?
3. Further Discussion:
- If you could create a superhero based on the properties of diamonds, what powers would they have?
4. Answers:
- Content Analysis: "Diamonds start out as carbon in the Earth’s mantle."
- Contextual Analysis: "The heat and the high pressure of the Earth’s surface on the mantle is what causes the carbon atoms to bond together."
- Linguistic Analysis: Diamonds are described as "the hardest natural substance on Earth" and "beautiful jewels" that are "invincible."
Diamonds in History
Diamonds have been around for millions of years, with the oldest diamonds being 3.2 billion years old. Despite their long life span, diamonds did not become a sign of wealth and fortune until around 2000 years ago, beginning with ancient kings and queens who wore them as a symbol of their royalty. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave the first ever diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy.
Diamonds Around the World
Today, diamonds are being mined all over the world, with the largest mines in Russia, South Africa and Australia. Earth is not the only place where diamonds have been found – there is a diamond in outer space that is as big as the Earth’s moon! The diamond has been named Lucy and it is almost 2500 miles long! This is almost as long as the distance from New York City to Los Angeles.
Harmful Effects
Diamond mining has some negative effects on the environment. During the mining process, large amounts of soil are lost, which can damage the land and rivers as well as lead to deforestation. Also, diamond miners dig large pits that eventually fill up with water and attract harmful insects that can spread disease.
Miner at a conflict diamond mine
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Diamond mining can also be harmful to humans, particularly when it comes to conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds are mined in countries that often use slaves to find the diamonds. In other countries, people may choose to mine for diamonds because they need a job, but the working conditions are still terrible. The miners may have to use their bare hands and many people get seriously injured and die. In 2003, the diamond industry came up with the Kimberley Process to help control where diamonds come from, but there are still a lot of problems.
1. Main points:
Diamonds have a long history, being valued for thousands of years and mined globally, but their extraction has significant environmental and human impacts, including conflict diamonds and harmful mining practices.
2. Questions:
- Socio-cultural Analysis: How did diamonds become a symbol of wealth and royalty?
- Ideological Analysis: What are the ethical concerns associated with diamond mining?
- Thematic Analysis: What are the environmental impacts of diamond mining?
3. Further Discussion:
- If you could find a solution to make diamond mining safer and more ethical, what would it be?
4. Answers:
- Socio-cultural Analysis: Diamonds "did not become a sign of wealth and fortune until around 2000 years ago, beginning with ancient kings and queens who wore them as a symbol of their royalty."
- Ideological Analysis: "Conflict diamonds are mined in countries that often use slaves to find the diamonds… many people get seriously injured and die."
- Thematic Analysis: "During the mining process, large amounts of soil are lost, which can damage the land and rivers as well as lead to deforestation."
Lesson Summary
They say today that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but kings and queens have been wearing diamonds for around 2000 years! Diamonds start out as carbon and are made in the Earth’s mantle. If the day ever comes when you are buying a diamond for a loved one, make sure to check that it is not a conflict diamond.