Bling, bling.Most diamonds come from countries other than the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . But a recent discovery may one day provide some home-grown dazzlers. Last October, geologists with Delta Mining and Exploration Corporation spotted a microscopic diamond in a bed of kimberlite--a rare rock in which diamonds are usually found--on a Montana field. Diamonds form deep beneath Earth's surface Noun 1. Earth's surface - the outermost level of the land or sea; "earthquakes originate far below the surface"; "three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water" surface . There, carbon atoms are heated and then squeezed together. This causes diamond crystals, or solids with atoms that are packed into an orderly pattern, to form. The minerals usually remain far underground. They only rise when rare types of volcanic molten rock--called magma--explode toward Earth's surface, says George Harlow, a mineral expert at the American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History, incorporated in New York City in 1869 to promote the study of natural science and related subjects. Buildings on its present site were opened in 1877. . After rising, the magma cools and hardens into diamond-dotted kimberlite kimberlite: see diamond. kimberlite or blue ground Dark, heavy, often fragmented igneous rock that may contain diamonds in the rock matrix. . It's unlikely that Delta Mining will unearth loads of diamonds in Montana. But the area experienced the volcanic events needed to bring diamonds up, says Harlow. Did You Know? * Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance known to humans. When pieces of this tough mineral are too flawed or small to be used in jewelry jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The most universal forms of jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin, and earring. , they are often used to make drill bits. These bits are so hard that they can even chew through rock. * Scientists have created synthetic diamonds in laboratories. But none of these diamonds have been perfect or large enough to be used in jewelry. Resources * Diamonds and other minerals are collected in mines. To learn more about the history and dangers of mining, see: www.msha.gov/KIDS/KIDSHP.HTM HTM HyperText Markup (file extension) HTM Hand To Mouth HTM harmful-to-minors HTM Held-to-Maturity HTM High Tide Mark HTM Hazlo tú mismo (Spanish: do it yourself) HTM Hierarchical Temporal Memory * Learn about one of the world's largest diamonds--the Hope diamond, which weighs over 45 carats (9 grams)--here: www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/hope.htm |
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