Diamonds

Catalog description

This class will connect the fascinating scientific story of diamonds with their equally fascinating role in history and society. This class will explore topics that include: (1) the origin of diamond’s physical and optical properties; (2) the geologic processes involved in the generation of diamonds and diamond enriched deposits; and (3) modern methods of synthetic diamond production. Societal topics include: (1) the role and perception of diamonds in society ; (2) the political and societal impact of the discovery of vast diamond deposits in South Africa in the 1800’s; (3) the role of diamond (and gold) mining in the rise of Apartheid in South Africa in the 20th century; (4) the rise and fall of the de Beers monopoly and its influence on popular culture; (5) the race to make synthetic diamonds; and, (6) ‘blood diamonds’ in modern west Africa.