Physical & Chemical Properties of Diamonds and
their Inclusions:
Spectroscopic and Stable Isotope Analyses

This is an electronic version of the presentation made by Professor Larry Taylor on
10 January 2001, at the White House Diamond Conference. He was asked by the Office of Technology to display this lecture on the web for the general public.
Each figure can be enlarged for more detailed viewing by clicking on it.

Dr. Lawrence A. Taylor
Planetary Geosciences Institute
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone (865)974-6013


E-mail; lataylor@utk.edu
Web:http://web.utk.edu/~pgi

This talk will present a tutorial on the science of naturally occurring diamonds, specifically certain physical and chemical properties of diamonds and their mineral inclusions. Two important research areas will be elaborated: Spectroscopic and Stable Isotopes Analyses. In addition, the physical nature of diamond will be discussed to put the analyses into proper perspective. Lastly, an evaluation of possible techniques for identifying the geographic locations of diamonds will be discussed. (Fig. 1)

(Slide 1/21)

Before we start, I think that I should emphasize the extreme pressures and temperatures under which diamonds form --- pressures of 40-60 kilobars (~ 40,000-60,000 atmospheres = 6-9 X 105 lbs./in2) and temperatures from about 1100-1400 oC (2000-2500 oF), representative of depths within the Earth of 120-180 km ( ~100 miles). (Fig. 2)

(Slide 2/21)

First Slide

Next

PGI

UT