Why is coal black and diamonds white? Both are made of carbon

Both diamond and coal are made up of carbon but the crystalline structure of these two isotopes of carbon varies giving more prestige to diamond rather than coal. Hence diamonds are transparent and coal is black.

While coal has a normal hexagonal crystalline structure in which carbon atoms are arranged in the shape of a hexagon, diamond atoms are compressed under heat and pressure to give an octagonal shape to it. Moreover, the carbon atoms in coal are arranged along a plane while in diamond the atoms arrange themselves in pyramidal form.

This heat compression may happen due to earth’s movement and subsequent pressure for millions of years. Nowadays, artificial diamonds can be prepared by external application of heat and pressure.

Both diamond and coal are found in mines. They remain mingled with each other and one needs to extract and separate the two substances. Afterwards, diamond is cut so that light entering into it suffers from total internal reflection and hence the brightness of the precious stone!

While the flat planes of coal can absorb all wavelengths of light, the diamond atom’s pyramidal plane reflects and refracts rays of unequal wave length. Thus diamond sparkles when light falls on it.

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Carat Clarity


Understanding carat clarity means is to determine the exact value of a diamond. This refers in essence on the true characteristics of a Diamond. Diamond earrings are also judged on this basis, but before you understand really what carat clarity is you must truly determine what the statements mean in isolation. The purpose of ascertaining the carat clarity is to judge the number of inclusions or what are better known as imperfections in the diamond. An imperfection is actually just a small flaw that is too minuscule to be seen by the naked eye and it shows implicitly what took place during the creation of a diamond whether geologically or as a lab grown diamond.

Clarity of a Diamond: this is then really a standard global measurement of a diamond’s imperfections or flaws. As noted these inclusions on the diamond are rated by specific levels. This is why you will see these particular clarity levels for a diamond being used.

Flawless – This is where there is no imperfection, inclusions or flaws in the diamond

Very Very Slight (VVS) – A bit lower than flawless but almost perfect

Very Slight (VS) – There are flaws but these can be discounted and have just a slight real effect on the diamonds value.

Slightly Included (SI) – A pretty good diamond however it does have flaws that MIGHT possibly be seen by the well trained naked eye.

A diamond’s clarity is unique and the rating tells just how ‘pure’ a diamond is based on microscopic examination.

Carat Of A Diamond: A much simpler prospect when determining the carat clarity. The carat refers to the weight of a diamond. That means just how heavy the diamond itself is. Normally one diamond carat is equivalent to approximately 200 mg. Weight is not synonymous with dimensions. It is important to differentiate between the two, as one diamond might have a different cut yet weigh less and hence is of lower carats; the dimensions allow you to view much more of the surface are of a diamond.

Gemologists rank diamond on a carat clarity scales meaning weight and flawlessness. These are undoubtedly the main drivers of what is popularly known as the four C’s in diamonds.