DAY BY DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15100, 22 November 1922, Page 6

DAY BY DAY

Once again faked diamonds, according

to rumour, are on Manufacture the way to England. °f This time a German “Diamonds.” research chemist is

said to have discovered a process N by which artificially any size stone may be manufactured. Up to date all chemists who have sought the recipe for manufacturing diamonds or for manufacturing gold have been unable to overcome the basic fact that both materials are composed of a single element. Gold so far Tias resisted all attempts at artificial production. Diamonds, however (says a writer in the Daily Graphic), are in a different class, and it is .just possible that an imitation has been discovered. It is well known that diamonds are simply carbon, which, but for the lucky chance of some mysterious process, might still be black lead. What the mysterious process is no one can say for certain. The generally accepted theory is that carbon crystallises,, after it is subjected to a long period of terrific heat and terrific pressure. So far all attempts to apply this theory have resulted only in diamonds of such minuteness that their cost of manufacture lias been /ar greater than any price they could fetch in the diamond market. The latest German story is that diamond dust and chips can be put in a carbon crucible and left in a furnace for a long period. By mercury the dust and chips are said to form into a solid black mass, which is lifted out and plunged into cold water, giving a rough diamond, which can then be cut and polished in the usual way. This is,' however, sheer nonsense, because it is well known that diamond pow'der volatises in air over a Bunsen burner, and is hardly a vacuum, because diamonds are not fusible. What value an artificial diamond Avould have it is impossible to say. It is known, however, that when synthetic rubies first appeared they fetched good prices on account of their novelty; but since their appearance they have lessened in value and the price of real rubies has increased. Rubies, however, like sapphires, are made of known elements, which are fusible by chemical means. But diamonds and gold are elements, and, so far, no one has succeeded in discovering the secret process by which Nature makes them.