Gold & Diamond InformationGold Information
Gold has always fascinated
people and gold is certainly one of the very first metals
known. Nobody knows who picked up a gold nugget first but it
would have been because it was shiny. Gold was highly valued
from from the earliest recorded times in history. It seems
that the Egyptians developed gold smelting some 5600 years
ago (about 3600 BC) using clay blowpipes to heat the smelter
contents. Egyptian
About Diamond Information
Individuals and societies have ascribed diamond's important status with both symbolism and as a scientific curiosity with industrial value. Therefore, both scientist and laity find diamond fascinating because of the dual nature of scientific-industrial practicality and romantic ethereality created through traditions and advertising. The origin of diamond may have been uncovered in the twentieth century, but appreciation for diamond has been known since diamond discovery in India, prior to 400 B.C.E.1 (Harlow, 1998, p. 118). Historically, diamond has been referred to as the essence of purity and invincibility, a symbol of royalty, and token of everlasting love (p. 1). Diamond is the birthstone for April. Today, 75-80% of the world's natural diamonds are used for industrial purposes and 20-25% for gemstones. It is the chemical and physical properties of this mineral that give it the superior cutting ability for industrial use. Diamond coatings have improved on diamond's industrial applications in cutting and in aiding the performance of semiconductors. It is the optical properties of this mineral that give it the superior beauty and durability to be used as a gemstone. The rarity of this gemstone is related to the petro genesis of the igneous rock in which the diamond is recovered. Diamond may even be found in meteorites. It is an important economic resource, responsible for developing nations and creating war. Faceting diamond, in order to maximize its optical properties, depends upon a knowledge of geometry. Diamond is the perfect mineral to focus on considering its notoriety and the fact that diamond studies cross disciplines, such as mineralogy, geology, astronomy, material science, mathematics, anthropology, art, history, and economics.
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