How Diamonds Come From Carbon
Carbon has two naturally occurring sources, one of which is diamonds. A diamond is a polymorph of carbon. This means that though it is pure carbon, the atoms are arranged in a different pattern. The process by which carbon changes atomically into a diamond occurs under certain conditions, including certain pressures and placement.
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Materials
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Diamonds can come from graphite. Though their atomic structures are different, graphite's structure is such that, given enough pressure, it can form diamond bond patterns.
Conditions
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Diamonds form between 100 km and 200 km beneath the earth's surface. To keep from turning into graphite, another polymorph of carbon, diamonds must reach the surface quickly. They must be carried up by magma (they do not form in it).
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Considerations
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Diamonds can turn into graphite. This is because graphite is more stable at room temperature and at the atmospheric pressure of the surface. However this is uncommon except for when a diamond is cut in a vacuum, as diamonds react -- and therefore stabilize -- to things that come into contact with them when they form.
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References
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- Photo Credit diamonds 1 image by Renato Francia from Fotolia.com
