Diamonds Into Graphite
K. ary chemistry teaches uí hat, us far as the nature of the sub tan'ce eomposing theni is concerned here is almost no difference between a mlliant white diamond and the black graphite forming the core of a leadpencil. Both are simpfy forms of carjon, and if e could readily turn one nto the other, the diamond would cease o rank as the king of gems. In fact. very minute diamonds have recently been made in this way by Monsieur Woissan, the French chemist. Graphite can be dissolved in molten iron, and when the iron cools the graphite crystaJlizes. By performing this operation in a particular man ner, which has heretofore beer deséribed in this column, Monsie" Vloissan gets microscopic crystals, no. of graphite, but of diamond. Curiously enough, now that we know how graphite can be turned into diamond it has also been discovered that dia mond can be changed into graphite This is effected by placing a diamond in an exhausted Crookes tube. In sucb a tube it is believed that invisible molecules of matter are continualb darting about, and these molecules produce a ceasfcss bombardment on th surface of the diamond. After a timf the effect becomes visible in a blac stain, or crust, covering the diamond On examination this is found to b cowposed of graphite.
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