Diamonds Formation

Diamonds are formed from carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face centered cubic crystal structure; called a diamond lattice. Diamonds are less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible. A Diamond is renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities, most of which originate from the strong covalent bonding between its atoms. In particular, a diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material.
Most natural diamonds are formed at high pressure and temperature conditions existing at depths of 87 to 120 miles in the Earth mantle. Carbon containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years. Diamonds are brought close to the Earth surface through volcanic eruptions which cools into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamprolites. Diamonds can also be produced synthetically in a high pressure high temperature process which simulates the conditions in the Earth mantle. An alternative and completely different growth technique is chemical vapor deposition. Several non diamond materials, which include cubic zirconia and silicon carbide and are often called diamond simulants, resemble diamonds in appearance and many properties. Special techniques have been specially developed to distinguish natural and synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants.
Diamonds