#like the DR in synthetic moissanite

[just-here-with-my-thoughts]

Zircon!

The bright blue one is heated to induce that colour. Heating also changes the absorption spectra, to show only a single diagnostic absorption line at 653nm!

I can come back to you another day when I've got more time for a fuller review of gem-quality zircon (and how it differs from artificially created cubic zirconia) (only if you like?)

You're making me feel like I should get the spare room cleared and set up my microscope to have a go at photomicrography of some of these beuties...

just-thoughts-about-gems (this is the place to ask your gemstone questions)

[steenpaal]

List of Star Trek materials - Wikipedia

This is a list of notable fictional materials from the science fiction universe of Star Trek. Like other aspects of stories in the franchise, some were recurring plot elements from one episode or series to another.

Metals for starship construction

The fictional metals duranium and tritanium were referred to in many episodes as extremely hard alloys used in starship hulls and hand-held tools. The planet-killer in "The Doomsday Machine" had a hull made of solid neutronium, which is capable of withstanding a starship's phasers. Neutronium is considered to be virtually indestructible; the only known way of stopping the planet-killer is to destroy it from the inside via the explosion of a starship's warp core.

Transparent aluminum

Star Trek technical manuals indicate that transparent aluminum is used in various fittings in starships, including exterior ship portals and windows. It was notably mentioned in the 1986 film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Ultra-strong transparent panels were needed to construct water tanks within their ship's cargo bay for containing two humpback whales and hundreds of tons of water. However, the Enterprise crew, without money appropriate to the period, found it necessary to barter for the required materials. Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott exchanges the chemical formula for transparent aluminum for the needed material. When Dr. Leonard McCoy informs Scott that giving Dr. Nichols (Alex Henteloff) the formula is altering the future, the engineer responds, "Why? How do we know he didn't invent the thing?" (In the novelization of the film, Scott is aware that Dr. Marcus "Mark" Nichols, the Plexicorp scientist with whom he and McCoy deal, was its "inventor," and concludes that his giving of the formula is a predestination paradox/bootstrap paradox.) The substance is described as being as transparent as glass while possessing the strength and density of high-grade aluminum. It was also mentioned in Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "In Theory".

The series' science consultant André Bormanis has concluded that the material would not be a good conductor of electricity.

Real-life transparent substances composed of some aluminum

An aluminum window pane, "of glasslike transparency" was reported from Germany in 1933.[1]

Sapphire (Al2O3) is transparent and is widely used in commercial and industrial settings. It has a hardness of 9 Mohs, making it the third hardest mineral after diamond and moissanite.

Aluminum oxynitride ((AlN)x·(Al2O3)1−x) is a transparent ceramic which has a hardness of 7.7 Mohs, and has military applications as bullet-resistant armour, but is too expensive for widespread use.[2][3] It was patented in 1986.[4]

Pure transparent aluminum was created as a new state of matter by a team of scientists in 2009. A laser pulse removed an electron from every atom without disrupting the crystalline structure.[5] However, the transparent state lasted for only 40 femtoseconds, until electrons returned to the material.

A group of scientists led by Ralf Röhlsberger at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg, Germany, succeeded in turning iron transparent during research in 2012 to create quantum computers.[6][7]

Trellium-D

Trellium-D, shown in Star Trek: Enterprise, was an alloy used in the Delphic Expanse as a protection against spatial anomalies there. It had unusual effects on Vulcan physiology, and became a recurring plot element in the third season of Star Trek: Enterprise, exploring the theme of drug addiction.

Other materials were occasionally mentioned in the scripts, such as nitrium, a radiation-resistant material.

Energy sources

Dilithium

Dilithium crystals, in all Star Trek series, were shown to be an essential component for a starship's faster than light drive, or warp drive, since they were necessary to regulate the matter-antimatter reactions needed to generate the required energy. Dilithium was frequently featured in the original series as a scarce resource. By the time in which the later series were set, dilithium could be synthesized.

Real-life dilithium (Li2) materials

Real-world dilithium (Li2) is a gas composed of two lithium atoms covalently bonded together, and is a strongly electrophilic, diatomic molecule.[8]

Dilithium oxide (Li2O) is white cubic crystal with ionic bonds between the lithium and the oxygen. This material must be kept dry however as it will react strongly with water to form lithium hydroxide.

Trilithium

Trilithium is a material used in a star-destroying weapon in Star Trek Generations, and an explosive in Star Trek: Voyager Season 3: The Chute. This is due to the fact that Trilithium is termed as a "nuclear inhibitor", which is believed to be any substance that interferes with nuclear reactions. In the film, Trilithium is known to be capable, when used to its full potential, of stopping all fusion within a star, thereby collapsing the star and destroying everything within its solar system via a shock wave. Trilithium resin is a toxic byproduct of warp engines, and can be used as a powerful, and quite unstable, explosive (see "Starship Mine", the 18th episode of the sixth season). It is not known whether this is related to the nuclear inhibitor.

Precious materials

Latinum featured in many episodes of Deep Space Nine as a medium of exchange used by Ferengi and others. For convenience's sake (Jadzia Dax joked "probably someone got tired of making change with an eyedropper") the actual currency consisted of the latinum, which is a liquid in its natural state, enclosed in gold casings of standardized size (called slips, strips, bars, and bricks) and was referred to as "gold-pressed latinum". Latinum was useful as a medium of exchange, unlike the (worthless) gold in which it was enclosed, because it is impossible to replicate.

Tholian silk was a valuable fabric mentioned in multiple series.

Bio-mimetic gel is a volatile substance with medical applications. It is also highly sought after for use in illegal activities, such as genetic experimentation and biological weapons development. As such, its use is strictly regulated by the United Federation of Planets, and sale of the substance is prohibited. The substance was first mentioned in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and was used as a plot element in several episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Propulsion

Verterium cortenide is a usually synthetically generated compound, the only known substance to be capable of generating warp fields, when supplied with energy, in form of plasma, from the warp core. Warp coils are made of this material.

Minerals

Kironide is a mineral by which, upon consuming plants containing the mineral, the Platonians (the inhabitants of the planet Platonius) acquire telekinetic powers, including the ability to levitate, in the original series episode "Plato's Stepchildren".[9]

Pergium is a substance mined in "The Devil in the Dark", and fictionally given the atomic number 112 as a chemical element in a non-canon Star Trek medical manual publication.

Cordrazine, introduced in "The City on the Edge of Forever" is a powerful stimulant used to revive patients in an emergency. Overdoses cause hallucinations, madness and death.

Venus drug, introduced in "Mudd's Women", causes women to appear much lovelier and more exciting.

Inaprovaline, Introduced in "Transfigurations". Helps resuscitate the neurological and cardiovascular systems by reinforcing the cell membranes. It is also frequently used as an analgesic.

Ketracel-White, introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, is a narcotic stimulant drug intravenously taken among the Jem'Hadar soldiers of The Dominion. The Jem'Hadar were created by the Founders- a shape-shifting species in the Gamma Quadrant- with a genetic predisposition for addiction to the drug. This was done to ensure their loyalty to the Founders. The drug is synthetically manufactured and refined at guarded facilities throughout Dominion space. Ketracel-White is stored as a liquid in glass vials locked in portable cases held by Vorta field supervisors. A Vorta must dispense the drug among the unit he/she commands at regular hourly intervals, otherwise the Jem'Hadar will suffer withdrawal leading to death. A vial of White is inserted into a dispensing mechanism embedded in the soldier's chest armor, and automatically pumped through a tube inserted into the common carotid artery.

Retinax-5, introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, a drug that corrects vision problems.

Unstable substances

Protomatter is a key component of the Genesis Device prototype—an experimental terraformation device introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Protomatter is presented as an unstable substance that, due to its instability, is considered unethical for usage in scientific research. The substance is used as a plot device to compare David Marcus with his father, James T. Kirk, both of whom, in Lieutenant Saavik's words, "changed the rules"—David Marcus by using the forbidden protomatter, and James T. Kirk by "cheating" to win the Kobayashi Maru test. The inclusion of protomatter ultimately results in both the accelerated maturation of the regenerated Spock during his stay on the Genesis planet, and the planet's subsequent explosion into an asteroid belt.

In the Deep Space Nine episode "By Inferno's Light", Protomatter was used by a Dominion changeling in a bomb plot that, if successful, would have destroyed the Bajoran sun and the forces of the Alpha Quadrant.

Protomatter is also mentioned in the Star Trek Voyager episode "Mortal Coil", where it is said, "Protomatter's one of the most sought-after commodities. The best energy source in the quadrant."[10]

The Omega Molecule is a highly unstable molecule believed to be the most powerful substance known to exist. If not properly disposed of, it may destroy subspace and render warp travel impossible. In Star Trek: Voyager, during the episode The Omega Directive, Voyager encounters Omega particles and Captain Janeway must comply with the Omega Directive and destroy the particles. Later in the episode, they spontaneously stabilize for a brief moment before they are destroyed.

Red matter is a red liquid material introduced in Star Trek (the 2009 film) that is able to create a black hole when not properly contained. Spock attempts to use it to stop a massive, galaxy-threatening supernova, but the resulting black hole causes his own ship and a Romulan mining vessel to travel back in time. Later in the film, the antagonist Nero uses it to destroy the planet Vulcan. Shortly after, the future Spock's ship containing the red matter is used to destroy Nero's Romulan mining vessel.

Fictional substances within Star Trek

Corbomite was named by Captain Kirk in a bluff in "The Corbomite Maneuver" as a material and a device that prevents attack, because if any destructive energy touches the vessel, a reverse reaction of equal strength is created, destroying the attacker.

Archerite was named by Commander Shran also in a bluff in "Proving Ground" as a material that his ship was looking to mine, during an encounter at the test site of the Xindi planet killer weapon.

See also

References

External links

[fratersalvator]

AGA Names William Hanneman as Recipient of 2018 Bonanno Award

His contributions to the gem community include various tools designed to be portable and practical and books that make the field accessible to all. San Diego--The Accredited Gemologists Association has announced that William Hanneman will receive the 2018 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology. The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the field. Recipients are chosen through a majority vote of AGA members. Hanneman has contributed a great deal to the gem community, the AGA said, from education to various innovative tools, and exemplifies what the Bonanno Award represents: gemological expertise and excellence in gemological practice, research and education, and a dedication to sharing gemological knowledge through formal teaching and professional collaboration. The tools he created are notable because they filled a gap for something portable, affordable and practical. They include the Diamond Eye, a reflectivity meter providing RIs for gems with RI values over 1.80. It provided readings for gems like diamond and synthetic moissanite, CZ and other simulants. Another tool provided not only an RI, but birefringence and dispersion for faceted gems, with RI values up to 2.37 and without the need for toxic liquids. His color filters, developed in collaboration with Alan Hodgkinson, provided quick and easy pre-screening ID, and his specific gravity balance was the first to provide direct readings, even for gems weighing less than a carat, the AGA said. He also has authored a number of books, including “Guide to Affordable Gemology,” “Pragmatic Spectroscopy for Gemologists,” “Diamond Cut Grading Simplified” and “Naming Gem Garnets,” all motivated by his desire to make gemological information affordable and accessible to all. “Dr. Hanneman has dedicated decades to providing gemologists with practical solutions to many of gemology’s big challenges. It would difficult to think of anyone more deserving of this recognition,” AGA President Stuart Robertson said. Previous recipients of the Bonanno award include Al Gilbertson, Cigdem Lule, Thomas Hainschwang, John Emmett, Emmanuel Fritsch, Stuart Robertson, Richard Hughes, Christopher Smith and James Shigley, among many others. The AGA Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology will be presented at the AGA’s Gala Dinner Dance at the end of its Tucson Conference, held on Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. at the Tucson University Park Hotel. The award includes a personalized plaque and $2,000 research honorarium funded by the AGA membership. For additional information or to attend the conference or gala, go to AccreditedGemologists.org or call 844-288-4367. Source: http://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/grading/6163-aga-names-william-hanneman-as-recipient-of-2018-bonanno-award

[pearljewelryset]

For diamonds grown in the laboratory grows in some of the major diamond consumers and diamonds

( ehudlaniado.com ) - Synthetic grown in the laboratory by industrial way, man-made or cultured. Whatever you decide to call them, the diamonds grown in the laboratory cause a very sharp discussion these days, and the media involved in diamonds are constantly reporting on new developments in this emerging industry. Whether you like it or not, the diamonds grown in the lab will not go away, and the technology used to grow them is being rapidly improved. As with any other goods or services, when there is a demand for something, companies will continue to enter the market with offers to meet this demand. The demand for diamonds grown in the laboratory grows in some of the major diamond consumers and diamonds, while in other countries it does not grow. In my next series of articles, I will deeply consider the actively developing phenomenon of diamonds grown in the laboratory. I will tell you about their history, production and application. I will also discuss how the market for natural diamonds and diamonds reacts to them, how the fundamentals of supply and demand are formed, and how prices are currently being formed on the market.

Although we tend to think about laboratory-grown diamonds, mainly in the context of the gem and jewelry industry, the truth is that scientists and development engineers are looking for new ways of producing diamonds that can be used for industry and medicine applications. Imagine a paint for diamond-based cars so that it is not scratched, or nanoclusters of diamonds that can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to the cells without adversely affecting the current agents for delivery of the drug. Although we usually hear of two main methods of growing diamonds, namely, the High-Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) method, and the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method,

Since the discovery in 1797 of the fact that the diamond is a variety of carbon, scientists have worked on this issue and built theories on how to produce diamonds from the more accessible types of carbon. In 1911, science fiction writer HG Wells described the concept of synthetic diamonds in the short story "The Diamond Maker." James Ballantyne and Ferdinand Frédéric Henri Moissan reported earlier written accounts of attempts to produce diamonds in 1879 and 1893, respectively. Hanney reported that he heated charcoal in a crucible furnace along with iron to a temperature above 3500 ° F. Rapid cooling of the iron created a high temperature, necessary in addition to the already available temperature.

Moissan, on the other hand, first turned to this idea after the discovery of small diamonds in a meteorite crater in Arizona. He used his newly invented electric arc furnace, in which an electric arc was created between two carbon rods inside the block of clay. Although Moissan believed that he had discovered a new way to grow diamonds, in fact he created a new material consisting of silicon carbide, not diamond. The moissanite that Moissan created, not knowing that, still bears his name now. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1906.

In 1917 Otto Ruff adapted and repeated the experiment of Moissan and reported that he received diamonds larger than 7 mm, but later withdrew his applications. In 1926, Dr. J. Willard Hershey of McPherson College, Kansas, again echoed the work of Moissan and Ruff and successfully created a synthetic diamond, which is still exhibited at the McPherson Museum in Kansas. The outstanding engineer Sir Charles Algernon Parsons, who accumulated a huge fortune and reached a high position after the invention of the steam turbine in 1884, was reported to have spent 40 years and much of his fortune trying to produce diamonds. Although they believe that he achieved success, in 1928, for unknown reasons, he published an article in which he expressed his opinion that,

In 1941, General Electric created a group to improve the methods of synthesis of diamonds. Their work was interrupted by World War II, but was later resumed. In December 1954, Tracy Hall of GE announced a confirmed and reproducible process of diamond synthesis. For its breakthrough, a "belt" press was used that could create a pressure of over 10 GPa and a temperature above 3630 ° F. In this press, a container was used in which graphite dissolved in metal catalysts, for example nickel, cobalt or iron, which also dissolved carbon and accelerated the transformation into diamond. The largest diamond he produced was 0.15 mm in diameter, too small to be used in jewelry, but it was perfectly suited for technical applications. His method for the first time allowed mass production of diamonds, And GE has been the dominant player in the development of technical diamonds for many years. Hall for his work was awarded the American Chemical Society for Creative Innovation (American Chemical Society for Creative Innovation). See https://bridalpearlnecklace.tumblr.com/

The Swedish electrotechnical company ASEA (Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget) was reported to have synthesized diamonds to GE in 1953, but kept its discovery secret until the 1980s. In the 1980s, a new competitor appeared in Korea - the company Iljin Diamond. Then hundreds of Chinese enterprises appeared. Iljin Diamond is believed to have made the diamond synthesis in 1988, illegally taking possession of GE's commercial secrets through a former Korean GE employee.

[bbbgem]

Moissanite Wedding Sets VS Diamond Wedding Sets side by side

This is a reseach from BBBGEM that Comparing moissanite and diamonds side by side from 4 aspects：Market;Comparison the definition;Color, hardness,natural or not, grade and other attributes;Price difference

Market:

Moissanite is one of diamond alternatives. It’s fire appears better than diamond, but the price is only 1/10 of diamond. Moissanite is well known and recognized by people these years. In the foreign market moissanite is also at a high heat sales situation.

Comparison the definition:

Moissanite wedding sets: discovering natural Moissanite can be traced back to the late nineteenth century, the word Moissanite is derived from Dr. Henri Moissan, who discovered the mineral in the Arizona aerolite in 1904. Moissanite (a kind of silicon carbide) also known as carborundum, most of the moissanite stone are synthetic, Natural mulberry is very rare, only in the aerolite crater, its color is dark green, black. Synthetic silicon carbide also known as synthetic Moissanite, synthetic carbon silica (chemical composition of SiC), dispersion 0.104 larger than diamonds (0.044), refractive index 2.65-2.69 (diamonds 2.42), has the same luster by the diamond’s, „fire“ stronger, is closer to the diamond than any previous imitation.

Diamond: diamond is the carbide after human treated, carbide is a kind of natural mineral, is the original stone of diamond. Simply put, diamonds form by a carbon element composed of elemental crystals in the earth deep high pressure, high temperature conditions, known as a symbol of love and loyalty.

Color, hardness,natural or not, grade and other attributes:

1, Moissanite and diamonds are almost no difference between each other in appearance , but the color of moissanite is J. Compared with the diamond level D E H, Moissanite will be yellower. Moissanite’s fire is stronger than diamonds, the dispersion index is 0.104, diamond is 0.044, in the sun light, Moissanite stone will be more flash.

2, the diamond is cubic crystal gem, with a magnifying glass can not see the ghosting; Moissanite is a kind of hexagonal gem with strong birefringence, in the magnifying glass we can see the obvious ghosting.

3, The finished Moissanite is likely to appear in a very parallel needle tube inclusions, but diamonds do not have these inclusions.

4, With a diamond test pen, or with the conductivity meter test, you can distinguish between the two.

5, On gem market, Moissanite are usually lab-treated while diamonds are natural. Moissanite’s clarity are forever classic, forever brilliant, forever one. But natural diamond’s clarity are SI or VS.

Price:

Compared the price of Moissanite and diamond, with same weight, the price arrangement is as follows:

Moissanite < diamond

However,for tiny stones,moissanite wedding band is the same prices as diamond wedding rings.