Death to Diamonds:

the amazing journey!

Michelle Adlong and Kelsey ChildressCH 226H Spring ‘007

What???

The LifeGem company will create diamonds out of your dead (or even live) relatives

One human body has enough carbon to form 100 gems at 1 carat each

$$$$! Person can have been dead for

hundreds of years, i.e. Beethoven

Allotropes of Carbon

Amorphous Graphite

Diamond Fullerenes

Graphite vs. Diamond

Graphite One of the softest

materials known Good conductor Lubricant Opaque Hexagonal crystal

structure (sheetlike)

Diamond Hardest material

known Electrical insulator Abrasive Transparent Isometric crystal

structure (3-D)

Synthetic vs. Natural Diamonds

Molecularly identical to each other Synthetics available in more colors 80% of natural diamonds are used in industry Natural industry dominated by De Beers

company; watch out where they come from. Prices result of capitalism.

Synthetic made by HPHT, CVD Distinguishing: electron microscope, UV

spectrometers, x-ray diffraction

1) Cremated remains graphite Purification at very high temps

2) Graphite Diamond “Thermal gradient method” Pressures ~~ 50,000 atm 1,600 ° – 2,000° C The longer the time in the diamond press, the

larger the diamond The entire process takes 6 - 9 months Companies are closed-mouthed about exact

“recipe”

The Life Gem Process

The End

So next time a dearly beloved becomes deceased, consider diamond-ation with LifeGem, and…

Always remember “a diamond is forever!”