! USES OF DIAMONDS (/index.

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People have always been attracted to beautiful, rare

objects. Diamonds have been treasured as gemstones
since ancient times, admired for their beauty, and people
still think of diamonds as the ultimate luxury in jewellery.
However, diamonds are valued for far more than their
captivating beauty. Their unique physical properties make
them prized above all other gems.

JEWELLERY
:
 We are all familiar with De Beers’
famous slogan: “A diamond is forever”,
first used in 1947, and the beauty of a
diamond set in an engagement ring,
earrings and other fine jewellery.
Diamonds have an entrenched
association with the bridal sector and
are the traditional stone in engagement
and wedding rings, representing eternal
love and commitment.

INDUSTRIAL DIAMONDS
The superior strength
and unique properties
of diamonds make
them suitable for a
wide range of industrial
uses. Most diamonds
mined lack the quality
necessary to become
gemstones and 80% of
all rough diamonds go
towards industrial uses.

Traditionally, because
diamonds are so hard
(scoring a 10 on the
Mohs Hardness Scale)*
and durable, their use
has centred on cutting,
drilling and polishing,
and they are especially
popular in the mining
industry and in the
military. Very small
diamond particles are embedded into saw blades, drill bits and grinding
wheels to increase their ability to cut tough materials. Diamond powder,
made into a diamond paste, is used for polishing or for very fine grinding.

Diamonds are also used to cut and polish other diamonds for jewellery.
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 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Diamonds are an integral part of the automotive industry and are used in
the production of vehicles. Diamond saws and drill bits cut and finish car
body and engine components and diamond-coated grinding wheels bevel
and polish the glass in windows.

WINDOWS
Diamond membranes are very durable, resistant to heat and abrasion and
are transparent. Diamond windows are made from very thin diamond
membranes and used to cover openings in lasers, vacuum chambers and x-
ray machines.

MEDICINE
Diamonds have potential health benefits. Medical research indicates that
nanodiamonds – tiny diamond particles – may be an indicator of the
effectiveness of cancer medication once administered to patients allowing
doctors to monitor the progression of the cells.

Researchers are also looking into using diamonds to help the visually
impaired, and testing diamonds as a potential material for bionic eyes and
eye implants.

Many dental tools include diamond tips to help dentists drill with maximum
efficiency and without worrying about breaking instruments.

ENGRAVING
Diamonds are used to engrave hard stone like granite and quartz because
diamonds will not break or even scratch.
:
 AUDIO EQUIPMENT
Industrial-grade diamonds are believed to enhance the performance of
high-quality speakers, improving sound quality. Diamond is a very stiff
material, and thin diamond domes can vibrate rapidly without deforming
and lessening the sound quality. Diamonds are also used in record player
needles and DJ equipment.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Some beauty companies offer
expensive diamond-based beauty
products including diamond-flecked
spray, exfoliators and blurring agents
which, allegedly, reduce the
appearance of wrinkles.

HEAT SINKS
Diamonds are resistant to heat and can heat up and cool down without
having a major impact on performance and conduct heat extremely well.
Diamonds are, therefore, used as a material for heat sinks. A heat sink is an
electronic device that incorporates either a fan or a peltier device to keep a
hot component such as a processor cool.

FUTURE USES
Through continuous research, scientists are finding other, more
sophisticated uses for nanodiamonds in high-tech applications, including
super lasers, surgical tools, medical devices and next generation computing
(spintronics).
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