Diamond: Genesis, Mineralogy and Geochemistry
by Karen Smit
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Diamond is the record-setter in many mineralogical properties such as hardness, diffusivity, thermal conductivity, purity, and covalency of bonding. Similarly, diamond, as the premier gemstone of the mantle holds primacy for geological features such as age and depth of origin. Diamond was among the first crystalline structures to be solved by X-ray diffraction and the first materials measured for their Raman spectrum. At more than 80 billion USD in yearly commercial value, diamond sets the recor
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This comprehensive volume offers a deep geological dive into the world's most iconic mineral, exploring diamond's unique genesis, its extraordinary physical properties, and its complex geochemistry. The book systematically details why diamond is a record-setter in mineralogy, possessing unparalleled hardness, thermal conductivity, and purity, while also establishing its primacy as a geological object with the greatest depth and age of origin among mantle-derived materials. It further chronicles diamond's historic role in scientific discovery, from being among the first structures solved by X-ray diffraction to being the first material measured for its Raman spectrum.
What distinguishes this work is its masterful synthesis of pure science with immense economic reality, contextualizing these mineralogical marvels within a global industry valued at over 80 billion USD. Readers with a serious interest in geology, mineralogy, or the gem trade will find an authoritative and meticulously researched account that connects atomic-level bonding characteristics to planetary-scale formation processes. The result is a definitive resource that fully illuminates why this simple arrangement of carbon atoms holds such an enduring and powerful fascination.
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