Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

name         Linda
status       other
grade        other
location     DE

Question -   What is a "simple" explanation of visible carbon 
(black specks) in a diamond?
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Linda,
The simple answer to your question is that diamond is
made of carbon that has been transformed from one
crystal structure(which is black) to another(which is
clear) through heat and pressure.  The black specks
are just bits of carbon that did not get converted when
all the other carbon around it did.

However, I think it is important to note that not all
black specks in diamonds (called "inclusions") are
actually carbon. In fact, they can even be small
garnets. Also, not all inclusions are colored.

Hope this helps to clarify things.
--Michelle Weinberger
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