One of the hardest natural substance in the world is the diamond, produced over millions of years by the extremely high temperatures and the extremely high pressures of the earth’s layers.
The diamond’s superior industrial qualities; which include durability, chemical resistance and the capability to cut metal is only surpassed by it’s ability to disperse and refract light; making it a thing of beauty as well.
The combination makes the worldwide demand for this precious gem great. Despite their image as a staple in most jewelry collections and their traditional employment in diamond engagement rings, the diamond also has many technical and industrial uses.
Actually, the technical and industrial applications are far greater. Most diamonds found in the world’s mines do not have the quality to become gemstones. Many natural as well as man-made diamonds are used to satisfy the demands of the industrial world.
The jewelry business generally uses diamonds in wedding or engagement rings. They are normally set in metal elements that display their natural beauty. These metals are commonly yellow gold, white gold and platinum.
However, diamonds have additional; some might say more practical, uses. In fact, a higher quantity of these natural gems have industrial applications. Many of the diamonds mined in South Africa or Canada’s Northern Territory are not suitable to be gemstones.
Synthetic man-made diamonds are produced to satisfy the many needs of the industrial complex. These applications include:
- grinding and cutting tools such as saws and drill bits
- abrasives that polish and cut other materials and gemstones
- detailed engraving tools of fine precision
- semiconductor materials and coatings computer processors and microchips
- components for laser optical equipment
- windows covering the openings of x-ray, laser, vacuum chambers
- domes that improve the performance of the highest quality speakers
- heat sinks conducting heat away from the sensitive components of microelectronics
- micro-bearings used in small mechanical devices
The complex diamond is quite a versatile substance that you can think of as an object of practical use or a thing of beauty. One application which seems to combine the two uses is the microdermabrasion machine. The machine was created to use as the abrasive on the end of a wand that removes your dead skin cells when undergoing this common skin beautifying procedure.
Increases in research will undoubtedly expand the diamond’s future use. For example, surgery and prosthetics, computer technology and communication instruments can all be enhanced by the diamond’s properties.
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