Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:44 pm Posts: 1079 Location: Washington State
I don't have that book but did look through the preview on Amazon and it looks like a neat book to read. The last section in the previews has a small article about some research at Pennsylvania State University where they had created diamond and "diamond like" materials from a polymeric precursor which they basically roasted in an oven. I guess that video from a year or two ago, of the guys making diamonds in their back yard using a microwave and peanut butter wasn't so far off. Maybe they already read the book? I'd like to have that book, but it'd probably lead me off on a wild goose chase trying to make diamonds in my garage.
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:04 pm Posts: 1642 Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Yup... If it's Amazon in Europe (or sending from EU). Otherwise expect to pay 6.50eur+1.00eur+4% (is it still 4% on books? Anyway, it's on the total, shipping included of course) VAT from Customs. In my (and a few friends') experience they stop EVERY package labeled as "book" from Amazon US. 4% VAT would be very fine with me, but it's the supplementary tax (and the ~1 month the Customs takes to let you know they have your book) that drives me mad. I once had to pay more of taxes than the amount I paid for the (used) book.
So, be careful when buying books from amazon US and you live in Italy. You have to consider the above issues and a cheap book may quickly become relatively expensive. On more expensive books, or when you buy in groups, the Custom duties may become tolerable (often you still have to wait a lot of time for the clearance, though).
(written by someone who would buy tons of books, as I did when I was in US, if it weren't for those stupid issues...)
Hi to everybody! I bought and of course read this book some four or five years ago, it's very interesting! Yes, I advice all of gemmologists to read it! Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.
Yes, I've read the first half of it and have access to it.
Great history on the history of diamond synthesis attempts, and evolution of the equipment parameters required to get closer to it.
I loved reading and learning about Percy Bridgeman. This stuff is classic.
Percy did not give up. He spent his entire life devoted. I will leave out some surprises.
Also, the theororized
SC4 or BC8.
This has changed my thoughts of the universe entirely.
Put simply: Don't plan on sleeping for about a week, and try to not develop a full on psychosis.
I have a purpose on earth. I know this purpose. But imagining such materials, has expanded my mind vastly.
Now, I didn't get into many details. As I wont be synthesizing any diamonds or diamond films in the future.
Kinda like the "ultra-nano-crystalline crystal book available from a local college."
That book had a cool cover! It kinda made me think about a lot of stuff regarding the universe, and the fractal like nature of it, but......... Kinda outta my league! Actually kinda scary, scary outta my league. In fact that book just downright scared me, but it had a good cover!
So, to put it simply.
The Diamond Formula, Any gemologist, gem dealer, jeweler, faceter would enjoy for any purpose from entertainment to learning about diamond, its synthesis, the history, and the possible future of gem synthesis.
Other advanced books like ultra nanocrsytalline diamond are kinda strictly scientist books, but of course could have use to the average gemologist.
But for the money, it would be far on the priorities list to Photoatlas of inclusions, etc...etc....
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum