diamond

Diamond (pronunciation: /ˈdaɪəmənd/ or /ˈdaɪmənd/) is a metastable allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at standard conditions. Diamond is renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities, most of which originate from the strong covalent bonding between its atoms. In particular, diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material. Those properties determine the major industrial application of diamond in cutting and polishing tools and the scientific applications in diamond knives and diamond anvil cells.
Because of its extremely rigid lattice, it can be contaminated by very few types of impurities, such as boron and nitrogen. Small amounts of defects or impurities (about one per million of lattice atoms) color diamond blue (boron), yellow (nitrogen), brown (lattice defects), green (radiation exposure), purple, pink, orange or red. Diamond also has relatively high optical dispersion (ability to disperse light of different colors).
Most natural diamonds are formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 118 mi) in the Earth's mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the Earth). Diamonds are brought close to the Earth's surface through deep volcanic eruptions by magma, which cools into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites. Diamonds can also be produced synthetically in a HPHT method which approximately simulates the conditions in the Earth's mantle. An alternative, and completely different growth technique is chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Several non-diamond materials, which include cubic zirconia and silicon carbide and are often called diamond simulants, resemble diamond in appearance and many properties. Special gemological techniques have been developed to distinguish natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds, and diamond simulants. The word is from the ancient Greek ἀδάμας – adámas "unbreakable".

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  1. T

    Wharfedale Diamond 220s and Yamaha A-S301: best all-round budget stereo setup?

    Hi all - I posted a little while ago asking for advice on the best budget stereo setup for my multi-purpose needs. The amp needed digital inputs for my TV, a phono stage for my turntable and other inputs for phone, laptop etc. And I didn't need huge power because my living room is reasonably...
  2. Velcro39

    Monitor Bronze 2 or Wharfedale Diamond 225 or Polk Signature S20

    Monitor Bronze 2 or Wharfedale Diamond 225 or Polk Signature S20 I'm looking to get my first pair of "real" bookshelf speakers. The above models are on my shortlist and all fit in my budget of $400 for the pair. This will live in one of two rooms, either 12x16 or 15x23. Hardwood floor with an...
  3. R

    Question ~£600 upgrade from Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 for HiFi

    Hi all I'm finding myself listening to more and more music through my stereo and would like to upgrade my Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s to something better, with more top end detail and a more refined fuller sound with a better sound stage. My budget is c.£600 and I've been considering auditioning...
  4. L

    Pricing advice please. Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 Black

    As title, I have a pair of these in very good condition from a pet and smoke free home. I no longer need them and intend to place an ad soon, and was wondering what a fair price to ask would be.I have the original box and packing but I've lost the jumper links.I will include 8 gold plated banana...
  5. B

    Blown Wharfedale Diamond 9 - What to replace with?

    Hi all... I have a bit of a mix and match do it all AV hifi setup. Central to this is my Sony STR-DN1050 Amp which is I believe 6 ohm and 150 watts per channel. On the speaker front I have some large floorstanding JBL Northbridge E80 speakers, these are 8 ohms and nominal output of 100w and...
  6. raigraphixs

    Diamond Geezers (TBC)

    Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Michael Gambon and Ray Winstone are in talks to join a adaptation of the Hatton Garden Vault Heist, which back in 2015 that was pulled off by retirees and pensioners. Michael Caine and Ray Winstone lined up for Hatton Garden heist film
  7. C

    Wharfedale Diamond 10 issue

    I've had my Wharfedale Diamond 10's around 5 years and to be honest i haven't used them alot at all, recently it sounded like the they'd gone a bit flatter, turns out one of the woofers on the speaker isn't working. This is how good the speakers are, that it took a while to realise as the other...
  8. MrMikeOG

    Question Which amplifier with Wharfedale diamond 9.1

    Hi I found this forum through Which amplifier to use with Wharfedale diamond 9.1 and SW150 speakers and I'd like to try and find an amplifier to power them, the difference between the other article and me is that I need to be able to have optical coming from my computer for FLAC and lossless and...
  9. BlueWizard

    NEW Q Acoustic 3050 vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.6

    Obviously there are limits to YouTube videos, but they are not necessarily worthless. Below find a video where I compared the Q Acoustic 3050 floorstanding speakers along side my Wharfedale Diamond 9.6 floorstanding. I temporarily receiver three Q Acoustic speakers to evaluate - Concept 20, Q...
  10. B

    Question Centre speaker and Rears?

    Hi guys, I was looking for a bit of help, as I currently have 6 speakers, and I was looking for your recommendations on putting together a 5.1 or 7.1 setup for watching films. I currently have: 2x Wharfedale 10.1s 2x Wharfedale 10.4s 2x Gale Silver Monitors I currently have the wharfedale...
  11. ph123uk

    Q Acoustics 3020 / Dali Zensor 1 / Wharfedale Diamond 220

    Hey all, Nearly ready now to pull the trigger and upgrade my front 3 speakers from my Jamo a102s satellites (will be keeping the sub and rears for now) I've narrowed it down to: Q acoustics 3020 and 3090C - £230 Dali Zensor 1 and Dali Zensor Vokal - £370 Diamond 220 and 220c - £329 Seems...
  12. T

    Black diamond ?

    Hi guys i currently have a self built 92" screen , the screen is really flat and works well but sometimes i wonder how much better my epson 7300 would look on a higher quality screen would look with something like a grandview or black diamond screen . Is there anywhere i can pick up a sample or...
  13. P

    What Subwoofer should I pair with my Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's

    I have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's and a Wharfedale Diamond 10.cm hooked up to a Pioneer VSX 921 I'm looking to expand my system with a subwoofer for some extra bass. I use it for films and music, but I'm more focussed on my music listening (particularly relaxing with friends and the...
  14. samuel93

    Help! Audio technica lp60 & wharfedale diamond 9.0 speakers

    Hi there, I'm not technical in any way and need some help urgently, I wasn't really sure where to post this. I was recently bought a audio technica lp60 turntable, and with it some wharfedale diamond 9.0 speakers. I understand that they are passive speakers and will need a separate amplifier...
  15. C

    Blu Diamond M Android Phone

    Hi...looking for a cheap Android Phone for my wife, whilst my son borrows her Galaxy S6 Edge (don't ask!)...;o) Saw the one in the title on Amazon for £39.99..anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks and regards, Clive
  16. ACAB

    Answered Teac AG-D200 to run Wharfdale Diamond 220? What Sub?

    Hello, Im upgrading my kitchen soundsystem currently i have a Teac AG-D200 and some terrible no name speakers. Will my Amp run a pair of Wharfdale Diamond 220's nicely enough? I would also like to add a Subwoofer at somepoint for more depth any recomendations? I am on a tight budget so as...
  17. SoundGuy12

    Question Which is better; Wharfedale 6R Diamond or Wharfdale Crs3? Both same price

    Hi guys, as above I have the option of buying both, first are either of them any good? and which are worth buying (they are both being offered to me for £25) thanks!
  18. SteveCritten

    Diamond dust on a portrait

    I saw a really nice picture in the window of a local art gallery of Marilyn Monroe with diamond dust on it called obviously diamonds are a girls best friend. I thought my wife would love that as she loves bling and sparkle see kitchen wallpaper. Well I looked online and the price was £1000 on...
  19. jareff

    Question recommendations please! for a low end digital amplifier for Wharfdale Diamond 220s

    hi, just after some advice re a low end amp. i'm looking at buying the Wharfdale Diamond 220s and will use them for both TV and music. the thing is my TV only has a digital optical out, which is why i'm asking about about a digital amp. i'm also planning to use the amp with a Google Chromecast...
  20. J

    Question Confused between Boston Acoustics A26 and Wharfedale Diamond 220/225

    Hello , I am new to forum and this is my first post here. I have been a DIY guy in the audio so far and currently have a 5.1 setup powered by DIY LM3886 gain clone amp. My current DIY speakers have very low sensitivity, though they fill up my room but I have to keep them at full volume while...
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