ABOUT DIAMONDS: Diamond is a crystalline form of pure carbon
that forms under intense heat and pressure. Conditions found in
volcanic pipes or when meteors strike the earth can create shock
zones of high pressure and temperature. Diamond is the hardest
known naturally occurring material, which is why it is popular
for cutting and grinding tools, such as diamond-tipped drill
bits and saws. CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION: Most methods used to
create diamonds in a lab or factory mimic the high pressures
deep below the Earth's surface that help form natural diamonds.
The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method grows single crystal,
synthetic diamonds at low pressure. Essentially, it transforms
gas molecules into solid molecules. The process allows
scientists to grow crystals very rapidly and with few defects.
After it grows the diamond is treated at high heat, by a
microwave plasma. This eliminates the initial yellow-brown
color, turning the diamonds colorless or light pink. The
Materials Research Society, the American