The Diamond Makers

A compelling narrative relating the dramatic history of diamond making.

Robert M. Hazen (Author)

9780521654746, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 July 1999

260 pages, 57 b/w illus.
23 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.445 kg

'I have been doing some studying and have just finished reading an outstanding book, The Diamond Makers by Robert M Hazen … The book is of special interest to materials scientists.' Materials World

Humans have treasured diamonds for their exquisite beauty and unrivaled hardness for thousands of years. Deep within the earth, diamonds grow. Diamonds the size of footballs, the size of watermelons - billions of tons of diamonds wait for eternity a hundred miles beyond our reach. Spanning centuries of ground-breaking science, bitter rivalry, outright fraud, and self-delusion, The Diamond Makers is a compelling narrative centered around the brilliant, often eccentric, and controversial pioneers of high pressure research. This vivid blend of dramatic personal stories and extraordinary scientific advances - and devastating failures - brings alive the quest to create diamond. Scientists have harnessed crushing pressures and scorching temperatures to transform almost any carbon-rich material, from road tar to peanut butter, into the most prized of gems. The book reveals the human dimensions of research - the competition, bravery, jealousy, teamwork, and greed that ultimately led to today's billion-dollar diamond synthesis industry.

Preface
Prologue
1. Mysteries
2. Attempts
3. The legacy of Percy Bridgman
4. Baltzar von Platen and the incredible diamond machine
5. The crystals of Loring Coes
6. Project Superpressure
7. Breakthrough
8. Secrets
9. Risky business
10. The rivals
11. The new diamond makers: diamond by explosion
12. The new diamond makers: diamonds from a vapor
13. The diamond breakers
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Popular science [PDZ]