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甚麼是鑽石? |
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鑽石是由純碳原子於極度高溫及高壓的環境之下結晶而成的礦物,一般,鑽石形成於地表下150至200公里或更深(見圖一和圖二)。鑽石是已知所有天然物質中最硬的(摩氏硬度10),折射率是2.417,色散率0.044,比重3.52,以及金剛光澤。 |
圖一 |
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圖二 |
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鑽石晶體乃立方晶系,單折射 (見圖三),擁有四個完美的八面體解理方向,及呈現階梯狀表面。它的顏色會由透明無色至黃色、棕色、灰色、橙色、綠色、藍色、白色、黑色、紫色、粉紅色、以及極稀有的紅色。透明而接近無色的鑽石是較昂貴的寶石(見圖四)。 |
圖三 |
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圖四 |
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至於較差顏色或含較多內含物的鑽石晶體,則會用作工業用途 (見圖五) ,而多晶質材料就會用於切磨或作為研磨粉末。 |
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What makes a Diamond? |
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Diamonds come from the Earth. |
A natural diamond’s creation began around 100 miles below the Earth’s surface. Each natural diamond is made of pure carbon, compressed by Earth’s pressure over time, and is the hardest substance on earth that exists naturally. |
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Diamonds are the oldest thing you’ll ever touch. |
The first diamond was discovered in an Indian cave nearly 4,000 years ago. But the diamond journey? That began billions of years before. The stones you see in diamond jewelry today began forming from one to three billion years ago, making a natural diamond the oldest thing you’ll ever touch. A natural diamond’s markings and inclusions are symbols of their age, and can be considered small time capsules that tell stories of the Earth’s formation. |
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Diamonds are extremely rare. |
Diamonds are becoming rarer every day because only one significant deposit has been found in decades. Now, there are so few one carat diamonds being recovered each year, the total number would fill only one exercise ball. Therefore, are diamonds rare? Yes, and they are becoming increasingly more valuable each day.
To keep up with the demand while resources diminish, scientists have started creating many replicas— from lab grown diamonds to simulated diamonds made of glass. However, even when a laboratory‐grown diamond has the same chemical makeup as a natural diamond, their mass‐produced origins are easily detected and prevent them from maintaining any real value. |
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Diamonds are a symbol of love. |
The name "diamond” stems from the Greek word adamas, meaning unbreakable. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria wanted to orchestrate a wedding proposal for his love, Mary of Burgundy. To ensure she knew how he felt, he commissioned an engagement ring to be made with a diamond—a resilient stone as beautiful and enduring as his love. That day, the diamond engagement ring was born, a symbol of everlasting love. |
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保養鑽石小貼士 |
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要好好保存心愛的鑽飾,必需要小心及細心。首先,每顆鑽石都應有一個獨立的儲存盒。 相反,若把所有鑽石都放在一起,它們便會因互相磨擦而出現花痕。 |
自行清理 |
鑽石易沾油圬,因此鑽石要偶爾清洗,可使鑽石保持光彩。首先將鑽石泡在稀釋的清潔劑或溫暖的肥皂水中清洗,以軟毛刷輕擦抓托後以溫水沖淨,再用柔軟的布拍乾即可。 |
專業保養 |
最佳的保養方法是,每六個月,定期讓珠寶商為你清潔鑽石及檢查抓托位是否穩固。適當的保養可保持鑽石的閃耀。 |
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