Abstract
Electron microscopic techniques have been applied to investigate the composition and structure of the non-diamond particles, of submicrometre dimensions, that profusely populate the coat of natural coated diamonds. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis (EDS) has shown phosphorus to be commonly present in this included matter, and in the case of some individual crystallites calcium and phosphorus have been the only elements detected with atomic number greater than 11 (the minimum atomic number detectable in the experiments). The latter inclusions exhibit hexagonal prismatic facets and their electron diffraction pattern corresponds to the apatite structure. Approximate lattice parameter values found were c/a=0.73 with a=9.5 Å.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Custers JFH (1950) On the nature of the opal-like outer layer of coated diamonds. Am Mineral 35:51–58
Deer WA, Howie RA, Zussman J (1975) An introduction to the rock-forming minerals. Longman, London
Donnay JDH, Donnay G (1963) Crystal data determinative tables, 12nd edn. ACA monograph no. 5. American Crystallographic Association, New York
Eppler WF (1961) Inclusions in diamond. J Gemmology 8:1–13
Harris JW (1968) The recognition of diamond inclusions. Part I. Syngenetic inclusions. Ind Diamond Rev 28:402–410
Harris JW, Gurney JJ (1979) Inclusions in diamond. In: Field JE (ed) The properties of diamond. Academic Press, London New York San Francisco, pp 555–591
Kamiya Y, Lang AR (1965) On the structure of coated diamonds. Philos Mag 11:347–356
Meyer HOA, Tsai H-M (1976) The nature and significance of mineral inclusions in natural diamond: A review. Miner Sci Eng 8:242–261
Orlov YuL (1977) The mineralogy of the diamond. Wiley, New York
Seal M (1966) Nature of diamond coat. Philos Mag 13:645–648
Steeds JW (1979) Convergent beam electron diffraction. In: Hren J, Joy D, Goldstein J (eds) Introduction to analytical electron microscopy. Plenum Press, New York London, pp 387–422
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lang, A.R., Walmsley, J.C. Apatite inclusions in natural diamond coat. Phys Chem Minerals 9, 6–8 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309462
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309462