The Diamond Makers
Author | : Robert M. Hazen |
Publisher | : Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | : 270 |
Release | : 1999-07-22 |
ISBN-10 | : 0521654742 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780521654746 |
Rating | : 4/5 (746 Downloads) |
Download or read book The Diamond Makers written by Robert M. Hazen and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1999-07-22 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Humans have treasured diamonds for their exquisite beauty and unrivaled hardness for thousands of years. Deep within the earth, diamonds grow. Diamonds the size of footballs, the size of watermelons - billions of tons of diamonds wait for eternity a hundred miles beyond our reach. Spanning centuries of ground-breaking science, bitter rivalry, outright fraud, and self-delusion, The Diamond Makers is a compelling narrative centered around the brilliant, often eccentric, and controversial pioneers of high pressure research. This vivid blend of dramatic personal stories and extraordinary scientific advances - and devastating failures - brings alive the quest to create diamond. Scientists have harnessed crushing pressures and scorching temperatures to transform almost any carbon-rich material, from road tar to peanut butter, into the most prized of gems. The book reveals the human dimensions of research - the competition, bravery, jealousy, teamwork, and greed that ultimately led to today's billion-dollar diamond synthesis industry.