Thousands of the most diverse minerals and rocks are known to the modern science of geology. And already someone, and geologists know for sure which stone is the most durable in the world. Do you know the answer to this question? If not, be sure to read our article.
The most durable stone is ...
Nature created a huge number of different minerals. Some of them are so soft that they crumble in their hands. But others do not deform even from the strongest blow. Which stone is the strongest in nature? Let's get it right.
Speaking exclusively about minerals, the answer is obvious - this is a diamond. This natural formation is one of the forms of pure carbon, which is formed in the bowels of the Earth at considerable depths. The mineral is at the top of the Mohs scale with an absolute hardness of 1,600 units. In addition, diamond also has such a quality as metastability (that is, the ability to exist for an unlimited long period of time under normal environmental conditions).
It is worth noting that the word “stone” can also mean such a thing as rock (an aggregate of one or more types of minerals). Determining the absolute record holder for hardness among rocks is not so simple. Most often, the following breeds fall into the list of the most durable stones:
However, later in our article we will pay particular attention to diamond, the strongest stone among mineral formations.
Mineral diamond: basic properties
So, the most expensive, most desired, most beautiful and most durable stone on Earth is diamond. And it's hard to argue with that. However, the name of this mineral is more than eloquent. The word "diamond" in translation from the ancient Greek language means "indestructible".
The first historical evidence of a transparent stone of unprecedented strength came to us from Ancient India and China. At the same time, the Indians called him Farish. But the Chinese in the third millennium BC used diamonds to polish their ceremonial axes made of corundum.
What physical and mechanical properties does the most durable stone in the world have? Let's list the most basic of them:
- Shine: diamond.
- Trait color: no.
- Hardness: 10 (on the Mohs scale).
- Density: 3.47-3.55 g / cm 3 .
- Kink: conchoid to splintery.
- Syngonia: cubic.
- Thermal conductivity: 900-2300 W / (m · K) (very high).
The most common color of diamonds is yellow or colorless. Less often than not, naturally occurring minerals are green, blue, red or black. Another important property of all diamonds is the ability to luminescence. Under the influence of sunlight, they begin to glow and shimmer in various colors and shades.
7 interesting facts about diamonds
- Diamond, graphite and coal - all of these substances consist of the same element (carbon).
- On some planets in the solar system, it rains in diamonds.
- Diamond cannot be called the rarest stone on Earth. There are at least ten gems that are much less common in the earth's crust.
- The headquarters of the largest natural diamond mining and processing company is located in Johannesburg (South Africa).
- Under certain conditions, diamonds can be synthesized from tequila or peanut butter.
- A ray of light passing through the body of a given mineral reduces its speed by half.
- 80% of diamonds mined today are used for industrial purposes.
Major diamond deposits
Diamonds are formed at a depth of 80-150 kilometers under the influence of tremendous pressure and temperature. Then, thanks to volcanic activity, they rise closer to the surface of our planet, thus forming vertical deposits - kimberlite pipes. Here, for example, looks like the neck of such a pipe in Yakutia (Mir diamond mine):
In addition, some diamonds may have a meteorite origin. Such minerals are formed when a cosmic body contacts the surface of the Earth. So, “extraterrestrial diamonds” were discovered in the Grand Canyon in the USA.
It so happened that the richest deposits of diamonds on Earth are concentrated in the bowels of Africa. It is here that the largest company in the world for the extraction of valuable minerals, De Beers, is based. Diamonds today are actively mined in South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Russia, Canada, Australia. The leader of the Russian diamond industry is ALROSA.
The use of diamonds in industry
Do not think that diamonds are used exclusively in jewelry. The hardest stone is also widely used in industry. In particular, heavy-duty drills, knives, cutters and other products are made from it. Diamond powder (in fact, waste obtained from the processing of natural diamonds) is used as an abrasive in the production of grinding discs and wheels.
Diamonds are also used in nuclear energy and quantum electronics. Another extremely promising area today is microelectronics on diamond substrates.
Hexagonal diamond
Ten years ago, diamond could be considered the hardest material on Earth. But in 2009, a group of scientists from China and the United States managed to prove the falsity of such a statement. According to them, the most durable substance in the world is an artificial material called lonsdaleite (or hexagonal diamond).
Using the method of computer simulation, scientists were able to establish that this material is 58% stronger than diamond. And if the latter collapses at a pressure of 97 gigapascals, then lonsdaleite is able to withstand loads of 152 gigapascals.
However, a hexagonal diamond still exists only in theory. However, scientists doubt that the new material will ever be put into practice. After all, the process of obtaining it is extremely complex and expensive.