The Properties of Diamonds

Diamonds are found as rough stones and must be processed to create a sparkling gem that is ready for purchase. Diamonds are the crystallized form of carbon created under extreme heat and pressure. It's this same process that makes diamonds the hardest mineral we know of. A diamond ranks a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. The Mohs Scale is used to determine the hardness of solids, especially minerals. It is named after the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. Here's the scale, from softest to hardest:

1. Talc - easily scratched by the fingernail
2. Gypsum - just scratched by the fingernail
3. Calcite - scratches and is scratched by a copper coin
4. Fluorite - not scratched by a copper coin and does not scratch glass
5. Apatite - just scratches glass and is easily scratched by a knife
6. Orthoclase - easily scratches glass and is just scratched by a file
7. Quartz - (amethyst, citrine, tiger's-eye, aventurine) not scratched by a file
8. Topaz - scratched only by corundum and diamond
9. Corundum - (sapphires and rubies) scratched only by a diamond
10. Diamond - scratched only by another diamond

Even though diamond is only one level higher on the scale than corundum, diamond can be anywhere from 10 to hundreds of times harder than this class of gems.

It is the molecular structure of diamonds that makes them so hard. Diamonds are made of carbon atoms linked together in a lattice structure. Each carbon atom shares electrons with four other carbon atoms, forming a tetrahedral unit. This tetrahedral bonding of five carbon atoms forms an incredibly strong molecule. Graphite, another form of carbon, isn't as strong as diamond because the carbon atoms in graphite link together in rings, where each atom is only linked to one other atom.

Trifari Simulated Diamond & Faux Gold Choker

~ This gorgeous necklace is a drape of dangling ice crystals! Suspended from goldtone metal, each crystal has been hand-cut into a diamond shape

~ There are 25 of these simulated diamonds, and each one has been prong-set; they form a perfect design all the way along the full length of this choker, so even in the back, it looks perfect ( if you wear your hair up, or have short hair, this is ideal)

~ The design is unique: it is made to look as though the gold is a supple "cloth" that has been "threaded" onto a golden band - the best comparison would be a cafe curtain threaded onto a curtain rod - do you see what I mean? I've never seen this design before, but it's totally awesome

~ The color of the gold metal looks like the real thing - I had difficulty with the indoor lighting when I took these photos, but I promise you the gold metal isn't dark or rosy as it looks in these pictures - it's perfect!

~ Measures 14.25" long and .75" wide

~ Signed "Trifari" on the folding clasp

Kevin Jonas proposed to Danielle Deleasa with a Jacob & Co diamond ring

Kevin Jonas surprised his girlfriend Danielle Deleasa by showing up at her doorstep in New Jersey and dropping down to his knee to ask her to marry him. He presented her with a cushion-cut diamond ring that Jonas designed with Jacob & Co., Danielle couldn’t believe what was happening.

She answered, ” yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row,”.

Kevin Jonas is the oldest member of the Jonas Brothers band.

Kevin Jonas, 21, and Danielle Deleasa, 22, who met in May of 2007 while vacationing with their families in the Bahamas, are aiming to have a tropical wedding. “It still feels like a dream, said Danielle.

The future Mrs. Jonas’ Jacob & Co. ring is crafted in platinum and features a solitaire cushion-cut diamond, with a total weight of 3 carats. Surrounding the center stone are 210 round brilliant-cut pave diamonds totaling .72 carats.