How can graphite and Diamonds both be pure carbon?
First let’s start by explaining what the word means. Allotropic chemical elements are those that can take on different forms. The word allotropy is derived from the Greek “allos”, meaning “other”, and “tropos”, meaning “manner”.
Now for the fascinating part. Compare for one moment the soft graphite in a pencil to the incredibly hard - in fact the hardest mineral on the planet - Diamond. Both are in fact made of the same material, carbon. But if they are the same, how is it that one is super soft, while the other is incredibly hard?
Graphite is formed at low temperatures and under little pressure very near to the Earth’s surface. As it forms, its layers are not bonded together very well, making it soft, and ideal for use in pencils and lubricants. Diamonds on the other hand are believed to be created some 93 miles below the Earth’s surface, in extreme heat and under immense pressure. This tough environment compresses the carbon atoms into a compact and extremely strong crystal structure.
All these forces are applied for millions of years, and combine to create beautiful, hardwearing Diamonds.
