Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-01-03

AbOm the DIID1Ond.-I'he diamond
is nothing but crystallized carbon; but how
has it been formed? We cannot make
carbon take this crystalline form, and now
1t can have been brought about in nature
is one of the most perplexIng Of scientific
enigmas. MIR. A. b. Griffiths, in a COM
m1nicatIon to the London Chemical Ne,cs
suggests the following as solution of the
''conundrum:" "We know that the dia-
mond has been found in fine-grained
sandstone in Brazil, and Is principally
found in an alluvial matrix OF sandstone
and quartz pebbles. Knowing these facts
and that there are only three methods by
which crystals are formed-nanely, by
fusion, by solution and by sublImation-
and as the diamond has been found in Sc
dimentary rocks, and in an alluvlal matrix
of sandstone and pebbles; aud knowing
that sandstone and pebbles are produced
by the action of water-hence their name
OF aqueous rocks-and as aqueous or sedI-
mentary strata are often fossilIferous, we
may draw an inference that the carbopa-
ceous matter of the fossils (plants and AMI
NAL remains) has Deen dissolved by highly
heated water, aided by great pressure ex-
isting in the crust of the earth. IL Is
well-known fact that highly heated water,
aided 10y pressure, can dissolve silica, as IN
the geysers of Iceland, ctr, where 1t Is
deposited around the mouth of the vent
fJrmIng the 'sinter: and also we ave the
experimental researches of De Senarmont,
and others, on the artificial production of
crystallized minerals, as quartz, mIspickel
corundum, heavyspar, etc. by the prolonged
action OF water at high ten peratures and
pressures; and think we can see no rea-
son why highly heated water or water-gas
should not have the power of dissolving
the ca-bonaceous matter of fossihferous
plants and animals, and then, on cooling
depositing the carbon IN the crystallized
condition, forming the gem known as the
diam md. IS to whether the diamond was
formed by sublimation. we can draw no
inference from facts or from nature, SO
IN ist put this method of forming crystals
on one side, as Lot beng able to solve the
problem; and further, the diamond cannot
be formed by fusion, because we know
that crystalllzed carbon, In the form OF
graphite, is formed by fusion. Therefore,
1t appears from these views on the subject
that the diamond has been formed in ma
ture by tie solvent action of highly heated
water or water-gas, aided by enormous
pressure on the carbonaceous matter of
fossils contained IN sedimentary racks, fol-
lowed by slow cooling
A co rap )ndent asks how doubtful dia-
monds may be tested without injury.
Hydrofuoric acid will not affect tine dia-
mond, while it quickly corrodes glass,
which is the material of most of the imi-
tation gems The only objection to its use
is that i. will attack certain stones of min
or, but real value, like the topaz, which
are sonetlmes passed off as diamonds. OF
course, beng dangerous agent to expert
ment with, it must be employed with
great caution. The f1llowing directions
from the Manufacturer and Builder
may be safely followed: "Take leaden
vessel, of saucer shape and moderate Size.
In which place some powdered fourspar,
which cover with enough oil of vitriol to
completely moisten the powder. Then
put In the stone to be tested. and gently
warm the MIXTURE over gas lamp or any
other convenient source OF heat. THIS
should be done IN good draft, where the
vapors will be drawn up chimney or dis
sipated, as they are dangerous to breathe
When the evolution of vapors appears to
have ceased, which will occur in from five
minutes to quarter OF an hour, according
to the quantity of material employed, the
heat should be Withdrawn and the Yessel
allowed to coel. The stone may be now
iished out from the pasty mass and exam
med. If it shows no signs of being tack.
ed you may be assured that it is genuine
stone. A paste stone Will be found to be
strongly corroded by the hydrohuoric acid
that has come in contact with it; and, if
small one, it will probably. have beer
entirely dissolved"