A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

The Sweet Josephine was cut from raw diamond that

is more than 1.5 billion years old. This formed 150 km

(93 miles) beneath Earth’s surface and was then pushed up

by a volcanic eruption, before eventually being dug out at a

mine in Australia. Diamonds form when carbon is squeezed

and heated to more than 1,000°C (1,832°F). This process

rearranges the carbon atoms into a rigid crystal that makes

diamond the world’s hardest substance. The process also

gives diamond the ability to bend light, a property that gives

these jewels their glorious sparkle. With the right cut and

polish, a diamond can be made into a beautiful gem that

is prized throughout the world.

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