OCR Text |
Show HOW DIAMOND8 MAY EXPLODE. Cases In Which Only Ordinary Degrer of Heat Is Necessary. It has long been known that dla monds, especially tho class known as "roso diamonds," aro likely to oxplodo It subjected only to what would seem a very ordinary degreo of heat, such as strong rays from the sun, etc. It Is now believed that tho explosions aro tho result of tho rapid expanclon ot certain volatile liquids Inclosed In cavities cavi-ties near the center or these precious stones. A great many diamonds, even though cut, mounted and worn as gems of perfection, are still in an unfinished condition that Is, tho liquid drop from which the stono Is being formed has not as yet deposited all of its "puro crystals of carbon.'' Theso movablo drops may occasionally bo seen with tho naked eye. When this Is the case, a strong ml-croscopo ml-croscopo will glvo tho drop tho appear-anco appear-anco ot a bubblo In the fluid of a carpenter's level. It Is also highly probablo that besides tho liquid mentioned men-tioned these cuvitles may contain gases under great tension. This being iho case, ono may readily comprehend how n very small amount of heat would cause tho liquid and gas to expand ex-pand to such a degree thnt tho diamond dia-mond would glvo way with all tho characteristics of a mlnlaturo explosion. |