Outlines of mineralogy

Chapter 19: DIAMOND.

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About This Book

A concise scientific treatise that organizes fossil and inorganic substances by their constituent chemical components, advocating composition-based genera and species rather than superficial traits. It defines mineralogy, explains a natural system founded on prevalent parts and variations in mixture, and critiques reliance on color, hardness, and texture because these features often vary independently of composition. The work describes analytical approaches and difficult cases, offers supplemental genera in appendices, and supplies practical aids such as tables and an index to assist identification and application of mineral substances.

DIAMOND.

§ 142.

At firſt ſight I may ſeem to have acted erroneouſly, by ſeparating this from the other gems, and inſerting it here; but after due conſideration, I know not where to place it better. It has never yet been decompoſed by the liquid analyſis ^[52]; and when expoſed to the fire in an open veſſel, it is wholly conſumed, burning with a lambent flame. This deflagration, though ſlow, ſhews decidedly its affinity to the inflammables: beſides, in the focus of a burning glaſs, it leaves traces of ſoot ^[53]. When further experiments teach us better, I ſhall willingly correct my error.