Quantcast
  Due to a new server, slow response may occur for which we apologize Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/streeter-precious-stones/page_084 - 2
 

Sec. II, Ch. 1: The Diamond

Sec. II, Ch. 1: The Diamond Page of 366 Sec. II, Ch. 1: The Diamond Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
The Diamond.
71
The late George Wilson, of Edinburgh, held the view that the Diamond, might be formed from anthracite, or steam-coal, without a change from the solid state.
Dana, the venerable American geologist, regarded the Diamond as a product of the decomposition of organic matter, under the operation of various agents of meta-morphism. The late Prof. Carvill Lewis sought the origin of the South African diamonds in the decomposition of carbonaceous shales by the action of certain volcanic mater­ials thrust through them. According to the late A. Favre the paragenesis of the Brazilian Diamonds suggests the pre­sence of chloride of carbon as the substance which, by its decomposition, yielded the pure carbon. Gannal advocated the view that it results from the decomposition of carbon disulphide.
Opposed in some degree to all the above theories, is the view of Simlar, of Breslau, that the Diamond is the result of the crystallization of carbon from a liquid solution. According to his theory, carbonic acid collected, in far away time, in a number of cavities, and was liquefied under great pressure ; it then dissolved some pre-existing form of carbon ; and subsequently the carbonic acid became gradually dissipated through fissures and clefts, and the crystallization of the dissolved carbon began. Supposing the pressure suddenly to abate, and a quick evaporation of the liquid to occur, a considerable mass of compact black Diamond might be formed, such as is known in commerce as carbonado, or carbon.
There has been a suspicion in the minds of many chemists that the origin of the Diamond may be possibly sought in the slow decomposition of certain gaseous hydro­carbons. Thus, Chancourtois suggested that emanations of hydro-carbons from fissures in the earth might suffer
Sec. II, Ch. 1: The Diamond Page of 366 Sec. II, Ch. 1: The Diamond
Table Of Contents bullet Annotate/ Highlight
Streeter: Precious Stones and Gems
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page