[Jewelry making - Article 00447] - Re: [Orchid] Diamond developments

[MillsGem]

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    Dear Mariner, Your reference to the letter in Science News regarding
    diamond hardness is fascinating. Several years ago I suggested in a
    letter to Orchid that there might be variation in hardness amongst
    diamonds and I was met with a barrage of denials. And yet, when one
    goes back into the history of diamond production and processing you
    will encounter numerous references to said variations. There were
    actually references to the perception that the diamonds from South
    Africa were the softest while the ones from Borneo were the hardest.
    I pursued this issue with John Sinkankas before his demise and he
    claimed to know of no reference to that assertion. He did refer me
    to an authority at GIA who also claimed to know nothing of hardness
    variation in diamonds. 

    If, indeed, some synthetic diamonds have been produced that have
    hardness in excess of assumed values, it is entirely probable that
    natural diamonds might vary in hardness. It is widely recognized
    that the "knots" in natural diamonds ,which are associated with
    twinning plane convergences ,are decidedly harder than ordinary
    crystals. But, if in a single crystal, there is increased hardness
    without twinning, it does suggest said variation. 

    The most fascinating anomaly in diamond characteristics is the one in
    which diamonds from the Orange River in South Africa lose their
    afinity for grease. If this is the case, then why might there not be
    other anomalies ?    Ron MIlls at Mills Gem Co. Los Osos, Ca. 



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