Diamond is no longer nature’s hardest material?

It is said that Diamond is the hardest material known to man. But according to scientist," a rare natural substance, called lonsdaleite, which is made from carbon atoms just like diamond, has emerged as 58 per cent harder than the gemstone, according to a report in the New Scientist.

An international team, led by Zicheng Pan at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, simulated how atoms in two substances believed to have promise as very hard materials would respond to the stress of a finely tipped probe pushing down on them.

The simulation revealed that the first one, wurtzite boron nitride, withstood 18 per cent more stress than diamond, while the second, the mineral lonsdaleite, 58 per cent more.

Rare mineral lonsdaleite is sometimes formed when meteorites containing graphite hit Earth, while wurtzite boron nitride is formed during volcanic eruptions that produce very high temperatures and pressures.

More Information at Itv News - Diamond is no longer nature’s hardest material

Diamond for Tears Video and Lyrics by POETS OF THE FALL

"Diamonds For Tears"

In these days of man made wonders we still bicker over flies
When you come seeking for forgiveness, I'll be forced to choose my side

If I deny you what you're searching, do I do it out of fear
Am I ruling out my reason, killing that which I hold dear

Out of my way I'm running, with an excuse just underway
Reality's so daunting, and I've got no way to explain

Cos when you're sleeping right next to me, I know you're the one
So when I hear you calling my name, why do I turn away to run
I guess that's why it's raining diamonds, sweet happiness in tears
Crying heaven shed your diamonds, diamonds for tears

In the light of recent findings, there's no greater taint than grace
But to relinquish all our bindings, always finds us out of place

If I rested here a while more, would you hold me to your heart
If I knew what it was meant for, will I know to play my part

Out of my way I'm leaving, another excuse before I'll stay
Reality's applauding, I know I don't know the right way

Cos when you're sleeping right next to me, I know you're the one
So when I hear you calling my name, Yeah, I know you're the one
I guess that's why it's raining diamonds, sweet happiness in tears
Crying heaven shed your diamonds, diamonds for tears

Is it a lost cause,
Can we overlook this taint
Are these the dead laws
Like a doubt eating the saint

And though I fear these shackles, like my darkness closing in
I will hold out my hands, I will hold out my hands

Cos when you're sleeping right next to me, I know you're the one
So when I hear you calling my name, I'll know the good I've done
I guess that's why it's raining diamonds, sweet happiness in tears
Crying heaven shed your diamonds, diamonds for tears

Conflict Diamonds in Sierra Leone Video Clip

Warning: This Video contains violence

The people of Kono, Sierra Leone have experienced the horrors of civil war and blood diamonds. Mohammed Dabo shares his story. From the series Diamond Road, produced by Kensington Communications Inc. (www.kensingtontv.com). Copyright 2007.

To see more clips of Mohammed and the people of Sierra Leone, visit http://www.diamondroad.tv

Sierra Leone diamonds are well-known among the jewelry world to be one of the best quality diamonds available today. This is perhaps the main reason that blood diamonds have wreaked the havoc they have had over so many years. The first diamond was found in Sierra Leone in the 1930s. Since then, a story of brutality and violence has unfolded in this small West African country. In 1968, Siaka Stevens became the prime minister of Sierra Leone. Recognizing the value of their diamonds, he made a large profit out of illegal diamond mining and trading. In the ensuing years, more and more diamonds were being exported illegally rather than through legal means. Most of these transactions were overseen by Stevens'' right hand man Jamil Mohammed, a Lebanese.