5 Unusual Diamond Uses*

When you think about diamonds, images of beautiful jewellery might instantly spring to mind. After all, these precious stones make the most sublime decoration for rings and other accessories.

However, there is more to diamond than jewellery. It is extremely hard, boasts a high melting point, does not conduct electricity and is insoluble in water, making it a practical choice for a whole range of other products. Here are five that you may not know of.

1) Abrasives 

Because diamond is so hard and durable, it makes the perfect addition to a variety of grinding, cutting, drilling and polishing tools. These include saw blades, drill bits and grinding wheels. For the best results, very small pieces of the material are embedded into the relevant tools.

2) Engravings

Related to this, diamond can also be used in the engraving of stones made from very hard materials such as granite and quartz. Diamond does not break or even scratch when it comes into contact with the surfaces of these stones, meaning tools made from the material can stand the test of time.

3) Speakers

Because it’s so stiff, diamond is the perfect choice of material for the thin domes that are used within high-quality speakers. Unlike many of the other materials that can appear in speakers, diamond does not warp or get deformed over time. By maintaining its shape and structure, it helps to protect the sound produced by the equipment from deteriorating.

4) An antidote for disease

In addition, diamonds have long been used as antidotes for diseases or poisons in various places around the world. For example, although there is a distinct absence of scientific evidence to back this idea up, it was once thought that the precious stones could ward off illnesses such as the plague. Poorer people were more likely to contract this disease than their wealthier counterparts because they endured dirtier living conditions and worse health care. However, this didn’t stop some people from coming to the conclusion that it was the diamonds that rich people wore that helped to keep them healthy.

More recently, medical researchers have worked on cancer drug therapies that use so-called nano-diamonds, which measure between four and six nanometres in diameter. For example, a team from the University of California, Los Angeles developed a treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer that used these nano-diamonds as a drug-delivery agent.

5) Possible replacement for silicon technology

Researchers are now examining how diamonds can be used to help speed up computer processing. Experts believe that the natural molecular structure of the material is perfect for transferring information more quickly than the current silicon-based technology.

Feeling inspired?

If all this talk of diamonds has fired your imagination and left you in the mood for some jewellery shopping, you can peruse your options on the web. By visiting sites such as Marlows Diamonds you can take your pick from a host of beautiful creations. Whatever your spending limit and preferences, you should be able to find something that ticks all of your boxes.