Diamonds Are The Most Popular Stones For Engagement Rings, But Scientists Say They Can’t Actually Last Forever
Have you ever wondered why diamonds became the go-to gemstone for engagement and promise rings?
It’s because they have a reputation for being extremely durable, meaning they can withstand a lot and still last a lifetime. Therefore, diamonds are great symbols of everlasting love and commitment.
While there’s something very romantic about the notion of diamonds lasting forever and their power, I have some news that may burst your bubble.
Researchers have found that diamonds, while beautiful and quite durable, cannot last forever, nor are they invincible.
However, don’t panic! Your beautiful diamond ring will be fine as long as it stays in areas with normal temperatures and is primarily used to sit on your and your family’s fingers.
All diamonds can and will eventually degrade into graphite.
While diamonds are extremely durable and the hardest material known to humankind, they’re not the most stable form of carbon. They’re a structure of carbon that’s stable under certain circumstances and conditions.
However, there is a form of carbon that’s more stable than diamonds, and that’s graphite. If you didn’t know, graphite is found at the ends of pencils and makes them write!
Essentially, diamonds have to be used under certain conditions to get them to turn into graphite via a process called graphitization.
dimj – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The conditions found on Earth keep diamonds stable enough not to turn into graphite while in our possession, which is why your great-grandmother’s engagement ring is still intact, or your fancy earrings are fine.
It takes a certain amount of energy to push diamonds to the level of degrading into graphite.
Diamonds need to be exposed to low amounts of pressure and high temperatures of over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in order to go through graphitization.
So, what does all of this mean? To sum it up, the diamonds found in your family’s beloved jewelry, the ring your husband bought you, and used in the Crown Jewels are safe and can last ‘forever’ as we know it. Those diamonds are kept in consistent and secure conditions that keep them stable.
However, diamonds used for more energy, like ones used for cutting and grinding materials, can get heated up and worn down to the point where they can start degrading into graphite.
So, the moral of the story is that diamonds are a bit more fragile than you may have been led to believe. But they’re still the most durable gemstones for precious and well-cared-for jewelry.
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