ONLINE: This lecture-based course on aspects of a most precious gem will cover: the unique nature of diamonds; where, when and how they are formed; the mining of diamonds; how they are prospected for, separated and recovered; what diamond studies tell us about the deep Earth; and stories of famous diamonds. Specific topics will include: 1) the characteristics of this unique mineral; 2) early history, covering the discovery and mining of diamonds in South Africa; 3) diamond mining in the various countries of the world; 4) the nature of kimberlite, the source rock for most of the world’s diamonds; 5) other rocks that carry diamonds, and inclusions within diamonds; 6) how to find diamond-bearing rocks, and how to extract diamonds; 7) some famous and infamous diamonds; 8) synthetic, impact-produced and extraterrestrial diamonds; 9) where, when and how diamonds form, and what they tell us about the deeper parts of the Earth; 10) a broad look at carbon distribution in the Earth. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 200.
Class sessions are recorded.
