The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-11

AO0@t TIC Diamond dnmond
is nothing but crystalliZed carbop;b but how
has 1T been fOrmcd2 We cannot make
carbon take this crystalline form. and now
II can have been brought about in nature
is ono ol the most pcrplexlng Of scientific
cn'gmas. Alr. A. Il. Griffiths, in a COM
mnnlcot!on 10 the London Chemical Nears
suggests the following as q solution OF the
''conundrum:" awe know that the din
monu has been found in a tlnc-1raineI
sandstone in Brazil, aid is principally
found III an alluvial matrix Of sanGs,on.
ana quartz pcbhlcs. Knowing these facts
ahc mat there arc only three methods by
"hlch crystals are tormcd-name!y, by
iuFlon, ny solution and by suhhmatlon-,-
ana rs the diamond has been found in sa-
olhentary rocks, and in an allnvlal mntrix
OF sands Que and pe"bes; and knowing
,h'' SANDSTONE and pebbles are produced
~ tne acelon or Watcr-hcnce their name
VI aqueous rocks--and as aqueous or scd,-
mehtary strata are often fossillferous. we
may draw an inference that the carhon,-
ceous matter of the fossils (plants and AMI
maj remains) has ueen dissolved bv hirhlv
heated water aided by great pressure *
lstlng In tho crust of the earth. |, lsu
wcll'known fact that highly heated water,
aldeu ny pressure, eau dissolve silca.ns IN
the GefscTs OF Iceland, etc., where Il Is
oeposlted around The mouth of the vent
tTm1ng the sintcr; and also we ave the
experimental researches Of Dc Senarmont,
ana others, on the artificial production OF
crys'aiilHeo minerals, As quartz mspckel
c"und'li', heavyspar, etc. by the prolonged
a''io'' "l water at high ten peraturcs and
pressuies; and [ think we can see M rn,-
son why highly heated water or water.qas
should not have the power of diesolyiup
INC casDonaceous matter of fossihrerons
Plants aiu animals, and then, on cooling,
u'pHslllng the carbon IN the crvstallizcd
condition, forming the gem known as the
dlam md. rs to whether the diamond wos
formed ny sublmalion, we can draw no
inference from facts or from natnre so
III ht put THIS method OF forming CRYSTALS
Oh one slde, as lot being able to solve the
ptoolcm; and further, the diamond cannot
oe formed by fusion, because we know
tha' crystaillzed carbon, IN the form of
eraphite, IS formed by fusion. Therefore.
/, appears from these views on the subject
that tle diamond has been formed in na.
lure by TIC solvent action of highly heated
wafer OF waler-gas, aided by enormous
pressure on the carboDaccOus matter of
losslls contained IN scdimcntary racks. fol.
A CO -spondent asks how douh,frl d;o.
monns may be tested without injury.
lyoiolluoric acid will not affect the dia.
mona, While it quickly corrodes glass,
"hlch IS the maternal of most Of the imi-
tatlon gems. The only objection to its uac
10 'hit /; will attack certain stones Of min.
or, but real value. like tho topaz. which
arc soTotimes passed Off as diamonds. or
course, beng dangerous agent to exper,-
ment With, 1t must be employed with
great CARLTON. The following directions
from the ManmJuctuycr ana BuilIe,.
may be safely followed: "rakc a leaden
vessel OF saucer shape ard moderate size
IN which place some powdered floirsnnr
which cover with enough oil OF vitrioi TO
completely moistcn the powder. Then
put In the stone 10 be tested. and gently
warm The mn turc over gas lamp or any
other convenient source OF heat. 1hIs
should be done IN eoou draft, where the
vapors VIII be drawn up q chlmney or dis
slpaIGd, as they are dangerous to breathe.
when the evolution OF vnpors appears to
have ceased, which will occnr in from five
minutes To quarter OF IN hour, according
10 the quantity Of material cmployed. the
heat shou!d bu Withdrawn and The vesse,
allowed to cool. The s,ono NAV be now
hshcd out from the pasty mass and exam
incd. Ii IL shows no signs of being a tack.
cd you may DO assured that it Is a genuine
stone. a paste stcnc will be found to bo
strongly corrodcd by the hydrohuorc acid
that has como in contact with it: and, IL a
small one, it will probably have been
entirely dissolved"