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00:00:01,736 --> 00:00:03,702
NARRATOR:
Gemstones, precious metals,
2
00:00:03,771 --> 00:00:06,105
and power--
3
00:00:06,173 --> 00:00:08,407
building blocks
of civilization.
4
00:00:08,476 --> 00:00:10,009
(rumbling)
5
00:00:10,077 --> 00:00:11,810
But how are they created?
6
00:00:11,879 --> 00:00:14,013
MAN:
Our Earth is a master chef.
7
00:00:14,081 --> 00:00:15,647
She knows how to cook.
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00:00:15,716 --> 00:00:17,816
MAN:
These gems are really forged
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00:00:17,885 --> 00:00:21,220
in unimaginable conditions
deep inside the planet.
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00:00:21,288 --> 00:00:24,490
NARRATOR:
How did metal shape our past?
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00:00:24,558 --> 00:00:25,691
WOMAN:
I love steel.
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00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,160
It's actually the backbone
of our society.
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00:00:28,229 --> 00:00:33,432
NARRATOR:
And how will these gifts be used
to build the tools of tomorrow?
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00:00:33,501 --> 00:00:36,235
MAN:
Such a simple element has
enabled all of the technology
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00:00:36,303 --> 00:00:37,870
that surrounds us today.
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00:00:37,938 --> 00:00:39,338
It is amazing that this came
17
00:00:39,407 --> 00:00:41,273
from the sand that exists
in our deserts.
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00:00:43,477 --> 00:00:45,344
MAN:
We're going to launch
this incredible telescope,
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00:00:45,413 --> 00:00:47,012
and we're going to send it
a million miles into space
20
00:00:47,081 --> 00:00:48,547
from the earth
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00:00:48,616 --> 00:00:52,184
to actually unlock the secrets
of the universe.
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00:00:52,253 --> 00:00:55,554
And it will all rely
on two ounces of gold.
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00:00:55,623 --> 00:01:00,392
NARRATOR:
In this episode, we go
behind the sparkle of gemstones.
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00:01:00,461 --> 00:01:02,761
MAN:
When you look
into a beautiful gemstone,
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00:01:02,830 --> 00:01:05,431
you're seeing something
quite miraculous.
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00:01:05,499 --> 00:01:08,434
NARRATOR:
What are the secrets
to their beauty?
27
00:01:08,502 --> 00:01:09,868
This is no magic trick.
28
00:01:09,937 --> 00:01:12,071
This is just chemistry.
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00:01:12,139 --> 00:01:15,674
NARRATOR:
And what scientific mysteries
do they reveal?
30
00:01:15,743 --> 00:01:19,011
These are the biggest questions
you can answer about geology.
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00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:21,280
It's amazing the role
diamonds have played
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00:01:21,348 --> 00:01:22,915
in understanding Earth
as a whole.
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00:01:22,983 --> 00:01:26,218
NARRATOR:
"Treasures of the Earth,"
right now on NOVA.
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00:01:42,770 --> 00:01:45,637
NARRATOR:
Major All around us,VA is
pwe see Earth's abundance:
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00:01:45,706 --> 00:01:50,542
spectacular mountains,
Caribbean blue seas,
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00:01:50,611 --> 00:01:53,545
and plentiful crops.
37
00:01:53,614 --> 00:01:58,016
But Earth's bounty
is not just skin deep.
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00:01:58,085 --> 00:02:01,520
Some of our most important
resources are forged
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00:02:01,589 --> 00:02:05,591
even deeper inside our planet.
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00:02:05,659 --> 00:02:09,394
These are the minerals
that help make our modern world
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00:02:09,463 --> 00:02:12,464
and inspire us
with their beauty:
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00:02:12,533 --> 00:02:17,703
gemstones like diamond,
ruby, and emerald.
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00:02:17,771 --> 00:02:20,405
We guard these treasures
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00:02:20,474 --> 00:02:22,774
and cherish them
as symbols of our love.
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00:02:24,178 --> 00:02:25,644
But they also hold secrets
46
00:02:25,713 --> 00:02:29,915
about the formation
of Earth itself.
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00:02:32,319 --> 00:02:33,886
Just off Central Park,
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00:02:33,954 --> 00:02:37,156
along Manhattan's famous
5th Avenue,
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00:02:37,224 --> 00:02:40,058
America's premier jeweler,
Tiffany,
50
00:02:40,127 --> 00:02:41,727
has been selling these treasures
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00:02:41,795 --> 00:02:44,329
to some of the world's
richest people,
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00:02:44,398 --> 00:02:48,500
from the Gilded Age
to the heydays of Hollywood.
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00:02:48,569 --> 00:02:53,172
The store even played a starring
role in this famous 1961 movie,
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00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,441
Breakfast at Tiffany's.
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00:02:56,510 --> 00:02:58,710
Tiffany's is the quintessential
jeweler for the world.
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00:02:59,947 --> 00:03:02,347
NARRATOR:
Melvyn Kirtley,
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00:03:02,416 --> 00:03:05,284
Tiffany's chief gemologist,
says that last year,
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00:03:05,352 --> 00:03:10,389
Tiffany sold more than
$4 billion worth of jewelry.
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00:03:10,457 --> 00:03:13,358
KIRTLEY:
Our goal is to really search
for the ultimate--
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00:03:13,427 --> 00:03:17,763
those unique, rare specimens.
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00:03:17,831 --> 00:03:19,531
When you look
into a beautiful gemstone,
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00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,634
you're seeing something
quite miraculous.
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00:03:22,703 --> 00:03:24,036
You know, it's arresting.
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00:03:26,473 --> 00:03:28,240
Here, we've got really
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00:03:28,309 --> 00:03:30,676
the most beautiful
emerald necklace
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00:03:30,744 --> 00:03:34,780
with this magnificent
45-carat emerald.
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00:03:34,848 --> 00:03:37,583
The color is just verdant green.
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00:03:37,651 --> 00:03:41,486
It's just got this incredible
saturation to it.
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00:03:41,555 --> 00:03:44,022
This is really
truly spectacular.
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00:03:45,893 --> 00:03:47,593
NARRATOR:
At Tiffany's workshop,
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00:03:47,661 --> 00:03:51,296
top quality gems are crafted
into prized jewelry.
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00:03:51,365 --> 00:03:55,667
One piece can take months
to create.
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00:03:55,736 --> 00:03:57,269
KIRTLEY:
That's when you get
the beauty from the stone.
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00:03:57,338 --> 00:03:59,905
That's when you get the life,
the brilliance.
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00:03:59,974 --> 00:04:01,073
That's the "wow" effect.
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00:04:02,676 --> 00:04:05,444
NARRATOR:
But the story of how these gems
were created
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00:04:05,512 --> 00:04:07,779
goes back billions of years...
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00:04:07,848 --> 00:04:10,415
(rumbling explosions)
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00:04:10,484 --> 00:04:12,851
...forged in some of the most
tortuous conditions
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00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:14,186
found anywhere on Earth.
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00:04:14,255 --> 00:04:17,889
How can such violence
and intensity
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00:04:17,958 --> 00:04:20,292
create such delicate beauty?
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00:04:23,264 --> 00:04:25,631
Clues about the massive
force required
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00:04:25,699 --> 00:04:28,333
lie just off the coast of China.
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00:04:28,402 --> 00:04:32,537
Here, geologist Lung Chan
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00:04:32,606 --> 00:04:35,941
searches for evidence
in the ancient rocks.
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CHAN:
It seems like the rocks
are talking to me,
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00:04:38,579 --> 00:04:41,146
and there is always
a story to tell.
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00:04:43,717 --> 00:04:45,517
Hiding behind the tranquility
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00:04:45,586 --> 00:04:47,252
and the peacefulness
of the rocks
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00:04:47,321 --> 00:04:51,556
is a story of violence
and tremendous complexities.
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NARRATOR:
It doesn't take long for Chan
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00:04:54,395 --> 00:04:57,996
to find a layer of rock
folded nearly in half
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00:04:58,065 --> 00:05:00,766
by the forces that create
earthquakes.
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00:05:00,834 --> 00:05:05,270
This rock layer used to be
flat-lying and continuous.
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00:05:05,339 --> 00:05:09,308
Now it's completely folded,
forming a V-shape.
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00:05:09,376 --> 00:05:14,112
The same kind of violent forces
gave Earth gemstones.
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00:05:14,181 --> 00:05:16,114
(rumbling)
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00:05:16,183 --> 00:05:19,284
NARRATOR:
Every gemstone is forged
by a unique geologic recipe
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00:05:19,353 --> 00:05:23,922
of chemistry, heat,
and intense pressure.
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00:05:23,991 --> 00:05:26,258
Our Earth is a master chef.
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00:05:26,327 --> 00:05:29,294
Setting the temperature
and pressure just right,
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00:05:29,363 --> 00:05:31,229
using the right ingredients,
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00:05:31,298 --> 00:05:36,535
she knows how to cook
various kinds of gemstones.
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00:05:36,603 --> 00:05:39,071
NARRATOR:
The most treasured of all gems
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00:05:39,139 --> 00:05:43,742
are created hundreds of miles
below the earth's surface.
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00:05:43,811 --> 00:05:45,444
It is here
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00:05:45,512 --> 00:05:48,613
where extremely high pressures
and hot temperatures
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00:05:48,682 --> 00:05:51,650
turn one of Earth's
most basic elements
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00:05:51,719 --> 00:05:57,155
into exquisite hard crystals:
diamonds.
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00:05:57,224 --> 00:05:59,524
So what are diamonds made of?
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00:05:59,593 --> 00:06:01,626
To discover the ingredients
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00:06:01,695 --> 00:06:05,364
requires doing something
horrifying for any gem lover:
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00:06:05,432 --> 00:06:08,100
torching a perfectly good
diamond,
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00:06:08,168 --> 00:06:12,738
which is exactly what chemist
Andrea Sella will do.
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SELLA:
We often hear that
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00:06:14,408 --> 00:06:16,675
diamonds are forever.
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00:06:16,744 --> 00:06:22,414
But when we put this guy
into a really hot flame
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00:06:22,483 --> 00:06:27,853
and drop him into liquid oxygen,
it begins to sparkle.
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00:06:27,921 --> 00:06:31,089
And look--
the diamond is burning away.
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00:06:31,158 --> 00:06:36,461
As it burns, it gets smaller
and smaller and smaller.
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00:06:36,530 --> 00:06:38,730
Eventually, it disappears.
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00:06:38,799 --> 00:06:40,065
It's gone.
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00:06:40,134 --> 00:06:43,835
We can burn it away to nothing
except carbon dioxide.
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00:06:43,904 --> 00:06:45,804
And that's because diamonds
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00:06:45,873 --> 00:06:48,640
are made of nothing
more than carbon.
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00:06:48,709 --> 00:06:50,342
So we've taken
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00:06:50,411 --> 00:06:54,880
the hardest natural material
and we've made it disappear,
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00:06:54,948 --> 00:06:56,915
and yet,
this is no magic trick.
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00:06:56,984 --> 00:06:58,583
This is just chemistry.
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00:06:58,652 --> 00:07:03,188
NARRATOR:
Carbon is one of Earth's
most common elements--
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00:07:03,257 --> 00:07:05,524
nature's building blocks.
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00:07:05,592 --> 00:07:08,160
It is essential
to all living things--
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00:07:08,228 --> 00:07:12,898
plants, animals,
even our bodies--
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00:07:12,966 --> 00:07:14,366
and crucial
to man-made structures
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00:07:14,435 --> 00:07:17,869
throughout our modern world.
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00:07:17,938 --> 00:07:20,405
Carbon's versatility
can be seen in two things,
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both pure carbon
but completely different:
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00:07:24,812 --> 00:07:30,182
diamonds and graphite,
or ordinary pencil lead.
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00:07:30,250 --> 00:07:31,850
When you look at these two,
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00:07:31,919 --> 00:07:34,186
the diamond
and the tip of the pencil,
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00:07:34,254 --> 00:07:39,458
it seems almost insane
to imagine that they're made
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00:07:39,526 --> 00:07:43,228
of the same substance,
the same element carbon.
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00:07:43,297 --> 00:07:45,363
And yet what it comes down to
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00:07:45,432 --> 00:07:48,200
is the way in which those
carbons are linked together.
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00:07:48,268 --> 00:07:51,670
NARRATOR:
The way in which atoms
link together
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00:07:51,738 --> 00:07:54,473
is the essence of chemistry.
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00:07:54,541 --> 00:07:59,711
In diamonds, one carbon atom
bonds with four others.
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00:07:59,780 --> 00:08:01,446
This is repeated to create
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00:08:01,515 --> 00:08:04,382
a dense, cage-like
crystal structure.
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00:08:04,451 --> 00:08:08,787
But in pencil lead, carbon bonds
with only three others,
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00:08:08,856 --> 00:08:13,325
forming flat sheets that stack
like a deck of cards.
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00:08:13,393 --> 00:08:15,594
SELLA:
The sheets lie on top
of each other
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00:08:15,662 --> 00:08:17,362
but are not fully bonded.
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00:08:17,431 --> 00:08:20,298
They can slide
one past the other,
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00:08:20,367 --> 00:08:23,835
and when we write with a pencil,
what we're doing is
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00:08:23,904 --> 00:08:27,572
we're peeling those sheets off
one or two at a time,
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00:08:27,641 --> 00:08:31,910
leaving a little gray trail,
a little bit like a snail.
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00:08:31,979 --> 00:08:36,314
NARRATOR:
So why do carbon atoms
sometimes make three bonds,
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00:08:36,383 --> 00:08:40,151
like in pencil lead,
and at other times four?
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00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:42,621
BOB HAZEN:
This is just
an extraordinary thing.
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00:08:42,689 --> 00:08:44,856
How can one
of the softest materials,
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00:08:44,925 --> 00:08:48,960
one of the hardest materials,
both be formed of pure carbon?
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00:08:49,029 --> 00:08:52,931
NARRATOR:
Bob Hazen of the Deep Carbon
Observatory
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00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:56,468
says the difference
between pencil lead and diamond
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00:08:56,537 --> 00:08:58,603
can be explained
by the environment
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00:08:58,672 --> 00:09:00,405
where the bonds form.
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00:09:00,474 --> 00:09:03,875
If you have fairly low pressure,
the atoms can spread out,
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00:09:03,944 --> 00:09:06,077
they don't feel compressed
or strained,
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00:09:06,146 --> 00:09:08,613
and so you have a much more
relaxed crystal structure.
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00:09:08,682 --> 00:09:11,583
NARRATOR:
Graphite, or pencil lead,
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00:09:11,652 --> 00:09:14,619
forms in low pressure,
like near Earth's surface.
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00:09:16,757 --> 00:09:18,590
But diamonds only form
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00:09:18,659 --> 00:09:21,493
hundreds of miles
deep inside our planet,
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00:09:21,562 --> 00:09:25,297
where the temperatures
and pressures are extreme.
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00:09:25,365 --> 00:09:27,799
As soon as you get pressure,
the atoms are forced together.
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00:09:27,868 --> 00:09:31,102
They have to be more and more
efficiently packed together.
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00:09:31,171 --> 00:09:33,004
And so the thing
about diamond is
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00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:36,374
carbon atoms are incredibly
efficiently packaged together.
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NARRATOR:
Those efficient bonds
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00:09:39,246 --> 00:09:42,581
are the key to making
these prized treasures.
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00:09:42,649 --> 00:09:46,151
Recently, a remarkable diamond,
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00:09:46,219 --> 00:09:49,888
the second largest gem-quality
stone ever discovered,
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00:09:49,957 --> 00:09:51,923
was found in Botswana,
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00:09:51,992 --> 00:09:56,761
weighing in at an incredible
1,109 carats.
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00:09:56,830 --> 00:09:58,763
KIRTLEY:
It's truly historical.
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00:09:58,832 --> 00:10:01,633
This could be, you know,
the most incredible piece
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00:10:01,702 --> 00:10:03,835
of a diamond ever cut.
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00:10:03,904 --> 00:10:08,139
NARRATOR:
The estimated value
of the diamond is $70 million.
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00:10:08,208 --> 00:10:11,142
That's a whole lot of money
for a rock
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00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:13,812
that is nothing more than
efficiently organized carbon.
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00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:17,482
The secret of that efficient
organization of atoms
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00:10:17,551 --> 00:10:19,985
lies deep
within the architecture
194
00:10:20,053 --> 00:10:22,120
of the carbon atom itself.
195
00:10:22,189 --> 00:10:24,990
At the atom's center
is a nucleus
196
00:10:25,058 --> 00:10:28,159
with six protons and neutrons.
197
00:10:28,228 --> 00:10:29,494
Surrounding the nucleus
198
00:10:29,563 --> 00:10:32,430
are an equal number
of orbiting electrons,
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00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:34,933
arranged in what are called
shells.
200
00:10:35,002 --> 00:10:39,371
The innermost shell can hold
only two electrons.
201
00:10:39,439 --> 00:10:42,874
The second shell can hold eight.
202
00:10:42,943 --> 00:10:45,143
But carbon's six electrons
203
00:10:45,212 --> 00:10:47,812
only fill up half
of that outer shell,
204
00:10:47,881 --> 00:10:51,516
leaving the atom unstable.
205
00:10:51,585 --> 00:10:53,018
Every atom wants to find
206
00:10:53,086 --> 00:10:55,020
a comfortable
electron arrangement--
207
00:10:55,088 --> 00:10:56,588
a filled shell.
208
00:10:56,657 --> 00:10:58,990
Now, carbon is
in a funny position.
209
00:10:59,059 --> 00:11:00,725
It's got six electrons,
210
00:11:00,794 --> 00:11:03,728
so it's four away from two,
it's four away from ten--
211
00:11:03,797 --> 00:11:04,729
it's in the middle.
212
00:11:04,798 --> 00:11:08,199
So carbon is never quite
that happy.
213
00:11:08,268 --> 00:11:10,268
It's always kind of striving
214
00:11:10,337 --> 00:11:13,438
to find a different
configuration.
215
00:11:13,507 --> 00:11:15,974
NARRATOR:
The configuration when carbon
is most happy
216
00:11:16,043 --> 00:11:18,576
is when its electron shells
are filled,
217
00:11:18,645 --> 00:11:20,979
like in this diamond crystal.
218
00:11:21,048 --> 00:11:25,383
But there are many combinations
that can fill carbon's shells,
219
00:11:25,452 --> 00:11:27,552
and that's why it's such
an important element
220
00:11:27,621 --> 00:11:29,254
in our natural world.
221
00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:33,692
It even plays a starring role
at this glamorous Tiffany gala.
222
00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:36,961
The movie stars' hair
is made of protein,
223
00:11:37,030 --> 00:11:38,430
which is packed with carbon.
224
00:11:40,067 --> 00:11:43,168
Their flawless skin
and high cheekbones
225
00:11:43,236 --> 00:11:45,170
have a lot of carbon, too.
226
00:11:45,238 --> 00:11:50,208
And of course under the extreme
conditions deep inside Earth,
227
00:11:50,277 --> 00:11:53,178
carbon atoms bond
into the exquisitely hard,
228
00:11:53,246 --> 00:11:55,080
exquisitely clear,
229
00:11:55,148 --> 00:11:59,918
and exquisitely expensive
diamond.
230
00:11:59,986 --> 00:12:02,153
But it took a lot more
than beauty
231
00:12:02,222 --> 00:12:05,190
for these diamonds to get
to the red carpet.
232
00:12:05,258 --> 00:12:07,659
(rumbling explosion)
233
00:12:07,728 --> 00:12:09,394
Diamonds are forced
to Earth's surface
234
00:12:09,463 --> 00:12:12,564
in a very special kind
of volcanic eruption.
235
00:12:12,632 --> 00:12:14,566
The rock inside
236
00:12:14,634 --> 00:12:17,602
traveled hundreds of miles
through Earth's mantle
237
00:12:17,671 --> 00:12:19,738
at up to 30 miles an hour.
238
00:12:19,806 --> 00:12:22,807
The diamond just comes along
for the ride.
239
00:12:22,876 --> 00:12:27,078
Raw diamond crystals can be seen
still embedded in this rock,
240
00:12:27,147 --> 00:12:29,380
known as kimberlite.
241
00:12:29,449 --> 00:12:32,016
The diamond was just
an accidental passenger
242
00:12:32,085 --> 00:12:34,686
en route to the surface
of the earth.
243
00:12:34,755 --> 00:12:37,689
NARRATOR:
These eruptions leave behind
244
00:12:37,758 --> 00:12:40,892
very deep funnels
of kimberlite and diamond,
245
00:12:40,961 --> 00:12:43,928
which is why mining diamonds
246
00:12:43,997 --> 00:12:47,065
takes a severe toll
on the landscape,
247
00:12:47,134 --> 00:12:51,202
and, at times,
an even bigger toll on humans.
248
00:12:51,271 --> 00:12:54,773
In places like
Sierra Leone, Africa,
249
00:12:54,841 --> 00:12:57,142
uncontrolled mining
has led to horrific conditions
250
00:12:57,210 --> 00:12:58,843
for the miners.
251
00:12:58,912 --> 00:13:00,912
The diamonds they find
252
00:13:00,981 --> 00:13:02,580
can head straight
for a black market
253
00:13:02,649 --> 00:13:05,049
that have funded warlords
and weapons
254
00:13:05,118 --> 00:13:09,053
in brutal civil wars.
255
00:13:09,122 --> 00:13:12,223
These are the so-called
blood diamonds.
256
00:13:14,594 --> 00:13:16,528
Diamonds that are
legally exported
257
00:13:16,596 --> 00:13:19,597
are subject to strict controls
258
00:13:19,666 --> 00:13:23,501
and sent to just a handful
of diamond centers worldwide.
259
00:13:23,570 --> 00:13:29,407
90% of America's diamonds
pass through one city:
260
00:13:29,476 --> 00:13:35,513
New York, famous for its
hustle-bustle and bling.
261
00:13:35,582 --> 00:13:38,983
This is 47th Street,
the Diamond District,
262
00:13:39,052 --> 00:13:41,619
where trader Ronnie Vanderlinden
263
00:13:41,688 --> 00:13:45,657
is one of its many
unofficial mayors.
264
00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:48,426
VANDERLINDEN:
Welcome to 47th Street--
the land of everything.
265
00:13:48,495 --> 00:13:50,428
But what this street
is really known for,
266
00:13:50,497 --> 00:13:52,564
what it's about,
is its magnificent diamonds.
267
00:13:52,632 --> 00:13:54,699
I like the shizzle.
268
00:13:54,768 --> 00:13:57,202
I like it all.
269
00:13:57,270 --> 00:14:01,105
NARRATOR:
Today, he has a little business
with Gregory Jezarian.
270
00:14:01,174 --> 00:14:02,173
Gregory!
271
00:14:02,242 --> 00:14:04,042
Hey Ronnie, how are you?
How are you, buddy?
272
00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:05,844
Do you have those stones?
I do.
273
00:14:05,912 --> 00:14:08,446
NARRATOR:
Negotiating the sale
274
00:14:08,515 --> 00:14:10,548
of a quarter-of-a-million dollar
square-shaped diamond.
275
00:14:12,152 --> 00:14:13,885
I think this might be
the winner.
276
00:14:13,954 --> 00:14:18,156
NARRATOR:
A key step to make a diamond
worth that kind of money
277
00:14:18,225 --> 00:14:20,391
is the cut, which reveals
278
00:14:20,460 --> 00:14:22,293
the sparkling beauty
of the stone.
279
00:14:22,362 --> 00:14:26,497
Michael Kaufman is
a master diamond cutter.
280
00:14:28,168 --> 00:14:31,236
I've been in the business
since 1966.
281
00:14:31,304 --> 00:14:34,539
I started off as an apprentice
diamond cutter.
282
00:14:34,608 --> 00:14:37,108
I was a baby, literally a baby.
283
00:14:37,177 --> 00:14:41,880
NARRATOR:
Today, he's repairing
a chipped diamond.
284
00:14:41,948 --> 00:14:44,482
While diamonds are
the hardest material on Earth,
285
00:14:44,551 --> 00:14:46,317
they aren't very tough,
286
00:14:46,386 --> 00:14:49,487
which means if you strike it
at the just the right angle
287
00:14:49,556 --> 00:14:54,325
between the planes
of carbon atoms, it will break.
288
00:14:54,394 --> 00:14:59,597
This line of weakness is called
the cleavage grain.
289
00:14:59,666 --> 00:15:02,300
I'm going to look
for the grain of the stone.
290
00:15:02,369 --> 00:15:05,236
People don't realize that
diamond has grain
291
00:15:05,305 --> 00:15:07,605
just like wood has grain.
292
00:15:07,674 --> 00:15:09,340
If you have this entire building
293
00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:11,442
and put it on top
of this diamond in the street,
294
00:15:11,511 --> 00:15:13,711
it will make a hole
in the street.
295
00:15:13,780 --> 00:15:16,214
But yet if you hit it
on the cleaving grain,
296
00:15:16,283 --> 00:15:20,118
it will take off a small piece--
sometimes not so small.
297
00:15:23,189 --> 00:15:26,591
NARRATOR:
That grain is also key
298
00:15:26,660 --> 00:15:32,230
to transforming the rough rock
into a shimmering faceted gem.
299
00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:34,866
KAUFMAN:
When the job is done
300
00:15:34,935 --> 00:15:38,436
and all the facets
are where they should be
301
00:15:38,505 --> 00:15:43,041
and I see the brilliance,
I see that stone talk to me.
302
00:15:43,109 --> 00:15:46,311
It says, "Michael,
you did a good job."
303
00:15:46,379 --> 00:15:49,080
NARRATOR:
Revealing a diamond's beauty
304
00:15:49,149 --> 00:15:52,951
comes down to the careful
arrangement of these facets.
305
00:15:53,019 --> 00:15:55,353
KIRTLEY:
Diamonds need to be cut
306
00:15:55,422 --> 00:15:57,188
in very, very specific
parameters
307
00:15:57,257 --> 00:15:59,223
to get it to maximize
light return.
308
00:15:59,292 --> 00:16:02,994
NARRATOR:
This is the round brilliant cut,
309
00:16:03,063 --> 00:16:05,964
one of the most popular shapes
in the world.
310
00:16:06,032 --> 00:16:09,100
KIRTLEY:
When a diamond is proportioned
in a perfect way,
311
00:16:09,169 --> 00:16:12,570
it will act as
a hall of mirrors.
312
00:16:12,639 --> 00:16:16,374
If it's not, then the light
will push out of the back
313
00:16:16,443 --> 00:16:19,577
and you'll basically lose light.
314
00:16:19,646 --> 00:16:24,782
NARRATOR:
In 1919, a Belgian mathematician
named Marcel Tolkowsky
315
00:16:24,851 --> 00:16:28,119
used principles
of optical physics and math
316
00:16:28,188 --> 00:16:31,990
to determine the optimum number
and angle of facets
317
00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:36,561
to create a diamond that
perfectly caught the light.
318
00:16:36,629 --> 00:16:38,229
When he came along,
319
00:16:38,298 --> 00:16:41,699
it was more putting a science
to the actual proportions
320
00:16:41,768 --> 00:16:44,702
and understanding that
they matter.
321
00:16:46,639 --> 00:16:50,074
Imagine this is an uncut crystal
with a smooth surface on it,
322
00:16:50,143 --> 00:16:52,844
and now we're going to shine
green light onto it.
323
00:16:52,912 --> 00:16:55,947
NARRATOR:
Debbie Berebichez, a physicist,
324
00:16:56,016 --> 00:16:59,417
explains how light
can be captured in a crystal
325
00:16:59,486 --> 00:17:03,121
by using a green laser
so our camera can see it.
326
00:17:03,189 --> 00:17:05,123
BEREBICHEZ:
So we see that spot on the wall
327
00:17:05,191 --> 00:17:07,525
because most of the light
is getting transmitted
328
00:17:07,594 --> 00:17:08,659
to the other side.
329
00:17:08,728 --> 00:17:12,430
Now, if instead we use
a faceted crystal,
330
00:17:12,499 --> 00:17:15,900
we can see how most of the light
is getting trapped
331
00:17:15,969 --> 00:17:18,069
and bouncing around
inside the crystal,
332
00:17:18,138 --> 00:17:22,106
and a lot of it is coming back
reflected into our eyes,
333
00:17:22,175 --> 00:17:24,742
very much like
a hall of mirrors.
334
00:17:24,811 --> 00:17:27,278
NARRATOR:
Tolkowsky found that a diamond
335
00:17:27,347 --> 00:17:30,381
cut with nearly 60
carefully angled facets
336
00:17:30,450 --> 00:17:32,817
created an exquisite geometry
337
00:17:32,886 --> 00:17:36,154
that reflected light
around the stone many times,
338
00:17:36,222 --> 00:17:38,589
then bounced it out
through the top
339
00:17:38,658 --> 00:17:40,591
and into our eyes.
340
00:17:40,660 --> 00:17:43,928
We call this phenomenon
"brilliance."
341
00:17:43,997 --> 00:17:46,597
When white light
enters a diamond
342
00:17:46,666 --> 00:17:50,268
at just the right angle,
something extraordinary happens:
343
00:17:50,336 --> 00:17:52,170
these facets,
344
00:17:52,238 --> 00:17:55,440
along with how the diamond
affects wavelengths of light,
345
00:17:55,508 --> 00:17:58,609
disperse it into a rainbow
of colors
346
00:17:58,678 --> 00:18:00,945
like light through a prism.
347
00:18:01,014 --> 00:18:05,783
This creates the flashes
of color called fire.
348
00:18:05,852 --> 00:18:08,019
KIRTLEY:
Because of diamond's hardness,
349
00:18:08,088 --> 00:18:14,025
the polishing of the facets
create such incredible mirrors
350
00:18:14,094 --> 00:18:16,928
that the diamond bounces
the light back to the eye.
351
00:18:16,996 --> 00:18:20,498
So you're really getting
a combination of light
352
00:18:20,567 --> 00:18:24,402
to give this beautiful
dispersion and sparkle.
353
00:18:24,471 --> 00:18:27,839
NARRATOR:
It turns out that
a diamond's brilliant sparkle
354
00:18:27,907 --> 00:18:32,043
comes down to optical physics--
something truly to sing about.
355
00:18:32,112 --> 00:18:34,779
♪ But square cut
or pear shape ♪
356
00:18:34,848 --> 00:18:36,981
♪ These rocks
don't lose their shape ♪
357
00:18:37,050 --> 00:18:40,618
♪ Diamonds are
a girl's best friend ♪
358
00:18:40,687 --> 00:18:43,888
NARRATOR:
As Marilyn Monroe did
in this 1953 classic...
359
00:18:43,957 --> 00:18:45,189
♪ Tiffany's ♪
360
00:18:45,258 --> 00:18:46,924
NARRATOR:
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
361
00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:50,828
♪ Cartier ♪
362
00:18:50,897 --> 00:18:55,666
NARRATOR:
In Washington D.C.,
there's a very special diamond
363
00:18:55,735 --> 00:19:01,072
that Marilyn Monroe would surely
have loved to get her hands on.
364
00:19:01,141 --> 00:19:03,174
6:00 a.m.
365
00:19:03,243 --> 00:19:06,077
Inside the Smithsonian's
Museum of Natural History,
366
00:19:06,146 --> 00:19:08,379
the gem gallery is on lockdown.
367
00:19:08,448 --> 00:19:11,415
Curator of Gems
Jeffery Post
368
00:19:11,484 --> 00:19:14,352
is removing the museum's
most infamous
369
00:19:14,420 --> 00:19:18,422
and most visited exhibit
from its bulletproof case.
370
00:19:18,491 --> 00:19:20,191
What I'm holding right now
371
00:19:20,260 --> 00:19:21,759
is probably the world's
most famous diamond.
372
00:19:21,828 --> 00:19:23,961
This is the Hope Diamond.
373
00:19:24,030 --> 00:19:27,331
It is a large blue diamond,
45-and-a-half carats,
374
00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,367
the largest, finest blue diamond
that we know of
375
00:19:29,435 --> 00:19:31,102
anywhere in the world.
376
00:19:31,171 --> 00:19:35,540
NARRATOR:
Post says it is impossible
to estimate the diamond's value
377
00:19:35,608 --> 00:19:40,077
in part because of its long
history of intrigue.
378
00:19:40,146 --> 00:19:42,580
It was bought
in the 17th century
379
00:19:42,649 --> 00:19:45,349
by Jean Baptiste Tavernier
380
00:19:45,418 --> 00:19:49,053
and sold to King Louis XIV
of France.
381
00:19:49,122 --> 00:19:52,190
It is believed that
during the French Revolution,
382
00:19:52,258 --> 00:19:55,793
the diamond was smuggled
to London, re-cut,
383
00:19:55,862 --> 00:19:58,162
then purchased
by the Hope family,
384
00:19:58,231 --> 00:20:00,131
where it got it name.
385
00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:02,700
But only after it was sold
386
00:20:02,769 --> 00:20:05,303
to the American socialite
Evelyn Walsh McLean,
387
00:20:05,371 --> 00:20:09,106
whose family was soon struck
by a series of tragedies,
388
00:20:09,175 --> 00:20:15,446
did the diamond earn its famed
reputation of being cursed.
389
00:20:15,515 --> 00:20:19,317
So finally, this legendary
and mysterious diamond
390
00:20:19,385 --> 00:20:22,153
was purchased by the jeweler
Harry Winston
391
00:20:22,222 --> 00:20:25,389
and given to the
Smithsonian Institution.
392
00:20:25,458 --> 00:20:28,893
There is, of course,
no scientific way
393
00:20:28,962 --> 00:20:31,562
to shed light
on the diamond's alleged curse,
394
00:20:31,631 --> 00:20:35,800
but there is definitely science
behind its magical blue color.
395
00:20:35,868 --> 00:20:39,870
And today, Jeffery Post wants
to reveal the secret.
396
00:20:39,939 --> 00:20:45,076
The precious diamond is put
into a mass spectrometer,
397
00:20:45,144 --> 00:20:49,146
where a laser is used
to break free individual atoms
398
00:20:49,215 --> 00:20:52,450
that then travel
through the machine.
399
00:20:52,518 --> 00:20:55,720
A clear diamond is pure carbon,
400
00:20:55,788 --> 00:20:58,356
so all the atoms would travel
at the same speed.
401
00:21:00,493 --> 00:21:04,629
But today, the machine detects
a few atoms flying faster.
402
00:21:04,697 --> 00:21:07,932
This means there is an impurity
in the diamond.
403
00:21:08,001 --> 00:21:09,734
POST:
Boron, yeah, right here.
404
00:21:09,802 --> 00:21:12,870
NARRATOR:
Traces of a lighter element
called boron.
405
00:21:12,939 --> 00:21:16,340
POST:
On average, our measurements
revealed the Hope Diamond
406
00:21:16,409 --> 00:21:19,677
has about a half of a part
per million of boron.
407
00:21:19,746 --> 00:21:21,412
It is the tiny little bit
408
00:21:21,481 --> 00:21:24,815
that is just enough
to make a colorless diamond
409
00:21:24,884 --> 00:21:28,552
the deep, dark blue color that
we know as the Hope Diamond.
410
00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:31,555
NARRATOR:
But boron isn't blue,
411
00:21:31,624 --> 00:21:34,325
so why does this impurity
change the color?
412
00:21:34,394 --> 00:21:38,329
It results from how
different atoms handle light.
413
00:21:38,398 --> 00:21:41,332
The carbon atoms in a diamond
414
00:21:41,401 --> 00:21:43,668
are bound together
by their electrons,
415
00:21:43,736 --> 00:21:46,937
but these electrons
can also interact with light
416
00:21:47,006 --> 00:21:49,573
when it shines into the gem.
417
00:21:49,642 --> 00:21:51,575
In clear diamond crystals,
418
00:21:51,644 --> 00:21:54,245
since all the electrons
are bound together,
419
00:21:54,314 --> 00:21:57,448
all the colors in white light
pass through.
420
00:21:57,517 --> 00:21:59,317
In the Hope Diamond,
421
00:21:59,385 --> 00:22:02,553
an atom of boron
replaces a carbon atom,
422
00:22:02,622 --> 00:22:06,123
but boron can only make
three bonds, not four.
423
00:22:06,192 --> 00:22:10,428
That changes the electronic
structure of the diamond.
424
00:22:10,496 --> 00:22:12,863
When white light hits this atom,
425
00:22:12,932 --> 00:22:16,500
it absorbs some of the
wavelengths of red light.
426
00:22:16,569 --> 00:22:20,171
But the blue light
passes right through,
427
00:22:20,239 --> 00:22:25,643
making the Hope Diamond appear
its unique color of blue.
428
00:22:25,712 --> 00:22:28,612
POST:
The Hope Diamond is one
of the most unique objects
429
00:22:28,681 --> 00:22:30,948
in the world.
430
00:22:31,017 --> 00:22:32,850
Look at how many other
blue diamonds
431
00:22:32,919 --> 00:22:34,485
comparable to the Hope Diamond
have been found,
432
00:22:34,554 --> 00:22:36,053
and the answer is zero.
433
00:22:36,122 --> 00:22:40,458
NARRATOR:
There may not be another diamond
quite like the Hope,
434
00:22:40,526 --> 00:22:44,395
but gems can come
in a surprising array of colors.
435
00:22:46,499 --> 00:22:52,002
We all know emeralds are green,
rubies red, and sapphires blue.
436
00:22:52,071 --> 00:22:55,106
Well, frankly,
that's just plain wrong.
437
00:22:55,174 --> 00:22:57,241
Is this a sapphire?
438
00:22:57,310 --> 00:22:58,576
This is blue.
439
00:22:58,644 --> 00:23:01,245
It looks like a sapphire,
it's nice and big,
440
00:23:01,314 --> 00:23:03,314
but it's not sapphire.
441
00:23:03,383 --> 00:23:06,517
You can't go by color.
442
00:23:06,586 --> 00:23:10,654
NARRATOR:
In fact, none of these green
stones are emeralds.
443
00:23:10,723 --> 00:23:15,426
Yet surprisingly, all of these
are what we call sapphires.
444
00:23:17,930 --> 00:23:21,699
Color is something that
Mike Scott is passionate about
445
00:23:21,768 --> 00:23:23,067
and wants to understand
446
00:23:23,136 --> 00:23:25,569
in everything
from brilliant gemstones
447
00:23:25,638 --> 00:23:28,005
to the koi fish
he keeps in his backyard.
448
00:23:28,074 --> 00:23:31,442
SCOTT:
Color brings out
all kinds of emotion,
449
00:23:31,511 --> 00:23:33,811
just like smells do.
450
00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:35,813
I enjoy the complexity
451
00:23:35,882 --> 00:23:39,984
or understanding
how things works.
452
00:23:40,052 --> 00:23:44,121
To me, color sets
what mood I'm in.
453
00:23:44,190 --> 00:23:46,924
NARRATOR:
Scott has amassed
what is considered
454
00:23:46,993 --> 00:23:49,527
one the world's most important
collections of gems
455
00:23:49,595 --> 00:23:51,662
outside of royal family.
456
00:23:51,731 --> 00:23:55,833
HAZEN:
Mike Scott is one of the world's
great connoisseurs of gems.
457
00:23:55,902 --> 00:23:57,501
He goes out of his way
458
00:23:57,570 --> 00:24:01,305
to find the most beautiful
colored stones,
459
00:24:01,374 --> 00:24:03,274
and each of those colored stones
is telling us a story.
460
00:24:03,342 --> 00:24:07,044
SCOTT:
Part of my collection
is to just show
461
00:24:07,113 --> 00:24:11,248
there's more to the world than
sapphire, ruby, and emerald.
462
00:24:11,317 --> 00:24:14,318
NARRATOR:
Scott may not have a diamond
quite like the Hope,
463
00:24:14,387 --> 00:24:18,389
but he's collected diamonds
in almost every known color,
464
00:24:18,458 --> 00:24:23,727
including yellow, green, pink,
and even the rarest:
465
00:24:23,796 --> 00:24:25,296
red.
466
00:24:25,364 --> 00:24:28,265
Scott's rainbow collection
was made possible
467
00:24:28,334 --> 00:24:30,668
by Apple Computers.
468
00:24:30,736 --> 00:24:33,671
He made his fortune
as the first CEO,
469
00:24:33,739 --> 00:24:36,040
taking it
from Steve Jobs' garage
470
00:24:36,108 --> 00:24:39,109
to going public on Wall Street.
471
00:24:39,178 --> 00:24:41,846
I hand-built
the first ten Apple IIs.
472
00:24:41,914 --> 00:24:44,682
NARRATOR:
But Scott says
his first task at Apple
473
00:24:44,750 --> 00:24:46,717
came not from Steve Jobs,
474
00:24:46,786 --> 00:24:48,886
but the other employees
at the time.
475
00:24:48,955 --> 00:24:50,054
SCOTT:
My first job
476
00:24:50,122 --> 00:24:51,622
as president at Apple
477
00:24:51,691 --> 00:24:53,657
was to tell Steve Jobs
he had to take a bath.
478
00:24:53,726 --> 00:24:58,996
NARRATOR:
It seems that Steve's special
diet was creating body odor.
479
00:24:59,065 --> 00:25:00,998
SCOTT:
He negotiates everything,
480
00:25:01,067 --> 00:25:03,267
so he agreed
to take a bath more often
481
00:25:03,336 --> 00:25:05,102
and I had to agree
to read his diet book,
482
00:25:05,171 --> 00:25:08,205
hopefully that it would cause me
to lose some weight,
483
00:25:08,274 --> 00:25:10,207
which it didn't.
484
00:25:10,276 --> 00:25:13,277
NARRATOR:
Scott didn't plan on investing
his fortune in gemstones,
485
00:25:13,346 --> 00:25:15,212
but he got hooked
486
00:25:15,281 --> 00:25:18,182
the first time he tried
to buy himself an expensive one
487
00:25:18,251 --> 00:25:21,018
because it turned out
to be a fake.
488
00:25:21,087 --> 00:25:23,487
SCOTT:
That got me further
interested in
489
00:25:23,556 --> 00:25:25,623
how do you know
the difference
490
00:25:25,691 --> 00:25:27,758
since you can't just tell
by color
491
00:25:27,827 --> 00:25:30,528
and by looking at the stone.
492
00:25:30,596 --> 00:25:32,897
NARRATOR:
A physicist by training,
493
00:25:32,965 --> 00:25:36,066
Scott wants to better understand
the nature of minerals--
494
00:25:36,135 --> 00:25:38,669
materials that are crystalline
in structure
495
00:25:38,738 --> 00:25:40,771
and include gemstones.
496
00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:43,541
Scott is so devoted
to this pursuit
497
00:25:43,609 --> 00:25:46,210
that he has removed
all the traditional furniture
498
00:25:46,279 --> 00:25:47,912
from his Silicon Valley
living room
499
00:25:47,980 --> 00:25:52,283
and turned it into a world-class
gem and mineral lab.
500
00:25:52,351 --> 00:25:56,787
Out with the couch,
in with the Raman spectrometer.
501
00:25:56,856 --> 00:25:58,222
HAZEN:
Mike Scott has put
502
00:25:58,291 --> 00:25:59,890
part of his fortune
503
00:25:59,959 --> 00:26:02,693
into building the world's
largest database of minerals:
504
00:26:02,762 --> 00:26:05,829
their structures,
their properties,
505
00:26:05,898 --> 00:26:08,299
their optical characteristics.
506
00:26:08,367 --> 00:26:11,101
So we understand
this rich realm,
507
00:26:11,170 --> 00:26:14,505
the kingdom of minerals,
in much more complexity
508
00:26:14,574 --> 00:26:17,041
and completeness
than we ever have before.
509
00:26:17,109 --> 00:26:21,645
NARRATOR:
Today, Scott is analyzing
a sapphire: a 30 carat one.
510
00:26:21,714 --> 00:26:24,582
SCOTT:
This one's from Sri Lanka.
511
00:26:24,650 --> 00:26:28,118
NARRATOR:
Like the Hope Diamond,
it's blue,
512
00:26:28,187 --> 00:26:29,620
but how it got its color
513
00:26:29,689 --> 00:26:31,822
is a completely different
geologic story.
514
00:26:31,891 --> 00:26:36,860
Sapphires are actually more rare
than diamonds.
515
00:26:36,929 --> 00:26:41,966
Making one requires the force
of moving mountains, literally.
516
00:26:42,034 --> 00:26:45,336
Sapphires are formed
in Earth's crust--
517
00:26:45,404 --> 00:26:47,738
not the deeper mantle
where diamonds form--
518
00:26:47,807 --> 00:26:52,843
during the geologic process
of plate tectonics.
519
00:26:52,912 --> 00:26:57,081
All the continents on Earth
ride on giant tectonic plates
520
00:26:57,149 --> 00:27:01,318
pushed and pulled by heat
deep within the earth.
521
00:27:01,387 --> 00:27:03,554
For likely billions of years,
522
00:27:03,623 --> 00:27:05,623
the continents
have moved around,
523
00:27:05,691 --> 00:27:09,259
crashing over and under
each other...
524
00:27:09,328 --> 00:27:11,829
(rumbling)
525
00:27:11,897 --> 00:27:14,865
Causing earthquakes
and pushing up huge mountains.
526
00:27:14,934 --> 00:27:16,800
(rumbling)
527
00:27:16,869 --> 00:27:18,302
Beneath Earth's surface,
528
00:27:18,371 --> 00:27:21,372
heat and pressure created
from the massive friction
529
00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:25,943
liquefy rock
that reforms into new minerals,
530
00:27:26,012 --> 00:27:29,179
sometimes sapphires.
531
00:27:29,248 --> 00:27:31,515
Many of the best sapphires
532
00:27:31,584 --> 00:27:34,251
come from the island nation
of Sri Lanka,
533
00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:37,554
off the coast of India,
which was caught in the middle
534
00:27:37,623 --> 00:27:42,459
of colliding plates
600 million years ago.
535
00:27:44,797 --> 00:27:46,530
Gemologist Andy Lucas
536
00:27:46,599 --> 00:27:49,700
is on the hunt
for these precious stones,
537
00:27:49,769 --> 00:27:53,671
a task that requires going down
in a traditional pit mine.
538
00:27:53,739 --> 00:27:55,973
Hi.
539
00:27:56,042 --> 00:27:56,974
Can I take a look?
540
00:27:57,043 --> 00:27:58,776
Thank you, sir.
541
00:28:01,647 --> 00:28:05,049
NARRATOR:
Entering the mine,
Lucas finds himself in a wet,
542
00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:08,452
potentially dangerous
environment.
543
00:28:08,521 --> 00:28:11,855
Now, you can see
the wooden braces,
544
00:28:11,924 --> 00:28:13,590
you can see the struts
supporting them.
545
00:28:13,659 --> 00:28:16,126
Now, they have a problem here
with groundwater,
546
00:28:16,195 --> 00:28:17,928
so they can't go too deep,
547
00:28:17,997 --> 00:28:20,030
and they have to be careful
for the erosion
548
00:28:20,099 --> 00:28:22,032
so they don't have
a tunnel cave-in.
549
00:28:22,101 --> 00:28:27,137
NARRATOR:
What they are mining is
a loose gravel called illam.
550
00:28:27,206 --> 00:28:29,873
LUCAS:
And they'll take this metal bar,
this pointed metal bar
551
00:28:29,942 --> 00:28:31,542
and they'll dig it
into the illam.
552
00:28:31,610 --> 00:28:34,645
Then they put it in bags.
553
00:28:34,714 --> 00:28:36,980
NARRATOR:
The bags are hoisted up
on ropes.
554
00:28:39,351 --> 00:28:43,420
Andy's route back
up the slippery bamboo scaffold
555
00:28:43,489 --> 00:28:45,923
is a bit tougher.
556
00:28:45,991 --> 00:28:51,595
Once on the surface again,
Andy examines the gravel illam.
557
00:28:51,664 --> 00:28:54,064
LUCAS:
It's going to look like
a lot of mud,
558
00:28:54,133 --> 00:28:56,066
but also with some pebbles
in there.
559
00:28:56,135 --> 00:28:58,268
Now, I'm not seeing
any gemstones yet,
560
00:28:58,337 --> 00:29:03,941
but after washing bag after bag
after bag of this muddy gravel,
561
00:29:04,009 --> 00:29:06,243
then they might find something,
562
00:29:06,312 --> 00:29:07,911
maybe something that
could change their lives.
563
00:29:11,183 --> 00:29:14,384
NARRATOR:
The illam is sediment
comprised of rocks and dirt
564
00:29:14,453 --> 00:29:18,021
that washed here from upstream.
565
00:29:18,090 --> 00:29:20,190
LUCAS:
Nature kind of did
a bit of the work
566
00:29:20,259 --> 00:29:22,092
and concentrated them
in an area.
567
00:29:22,161 --> 00:29:24,595
NARRATOR:
If a miner is lucky enough
568
00:29:24,663 --> 00:29:27,364
to find a gemstone
in this loose illam,
569
00:29:27,433 --> 00:29:31,935
it is sent to the city to be
polished into true treasures.
570
00:29:36,041 --> 00:29:37,674
Armil Sammoon and his family
571
00:29:37,743 --> 00:29:42,312
specialize in polishing
and cutting sapphires.
572
00:29:42,381 --> 00:29:45,516
SAMMOON:
My family has been in the
business for five generations.
573
00:29:45,584 --> 00:29:48,485
It comes into your blood
and then it stays there.
574
00:29:52,458 --> 00:29:55,058
It is the beauty of the stone.
575
00:29:55,127 --> 00:29:57,194
It's just beautiful.
576
00:29:57,263 --> 00:30:01,198
You can just sit for hours
just drooling over it.
577
00:30:01,267 --> 00:30:04,034
NARRATOR:
Today, they are at work
578
00:30:04,103 --> 00:30:08,272
trying to figure out how to cut
a 90-carat rough sapphire.
579
00:30:10,309 --> 00:30:12,242
A finished gem jumps in value
580
00:30:12,311 --> 00:30:16,346
when it hits a larger threshold
like ten, 20, or 50 carats.
581
00:30:16,415 --> 00:30:18,816
It's almost a perfect crystal.
582
00:30:18,884 --> 00:30:22,820
NARRATOR:
Sammoon's goal is
to cut this down
583
00:30:22,888 --> 00:30:24,788
to a well faceted 50-carat gem,
584
00:30:24,857 --> 00:30:27,090
but that will take
careful planning.
585
00:30:27,159 --> 00:30:29,993
SAMMOON:
We can sit on it
for two weeks, ten days,
586
00:30:30,062 --> 00:30:31,862
just, you know,
fool around with it,
587
00:30:31,931 --> 00:30:33,730
think what's best.
588
00:30:33,799 --> 00:30:35,265
Come back, take a look,
589
00:30:35,334 --> 00:30:37,901
have a cup of tea,
590
00:30:37,970 --> 00:30:39,903
and then think about it.
591
00:30:41,674 --> 00:30:43,974
NARRATOR:
Make the wrong decision
592
00:30:44,043 --> 00:30:45,609
and it could be
a costly mistake.
593
00:30:47,646 --> 00:30:50,214
One of the world's
most celebrated gems
594
00:30:50,282 --> 00:30:53,951
is the 12-carat sapphire
from Sri Lanka
595
00:30:54,019 --> 00:30:57,454
that was worn as an engagement
ring by Lady Diana.
596
00:30:57,523 --> 00:31:01,458
Today, the same ring is worn
by the new duchess of Cambridge.
597
00:31:01,527 --> 00:31:06,897
This brilliant blue sapphire is
estimated to be worth $400,000.
598
00:31:09,602 --> 00:31:12,035
But in the bustling
Sri Lankan market,
599
00:31:12,104 --> 00:31:14,638
the sapphires
that Lucas discovers
600
00:31:14,707 --> 00:31:16,840
are not what you might expect.
601
00:31:16,909 --> 00:31:18,208
LUCAS:
This stone has
602
00:31:18,277 --> 00:31:19,810
very little color in it--
603
00:31:19,879 --> 00:31:22,346
not quite colorless,
but almost.
604
00:31:22,414 --> 00:31:24,648
Believe it or not,
this is a sapphire.
605
00:31:24,717 --> 00:31:27,818
NARRATOR:
Sapphires are a variety
of the mineral corundum,
606
00:31:27,887 --> 00:31:32,022
which in its pure state
is colorless.
607
00:31:32,091 --> 00:31:35,993
Corundum crystals are made up
of aluminum and oxygen atoms.
608
00:31:36,061 --> 00:31:40,464
It is the second hardest
natural gemstone after diamond.
609
00:31:40,532 --> 00:31:43,734
But colorless corundum
is not a treasure;
610
00:31:43,802 --> 00:31:48,038
its value comes
from its impurity.
611
00:31:48,107 --> 00:31:52,409
What gives corundum its color
is what we call trace elements.
612
00:31:52,478 --> 00:31:57,147
In the case of blue sapphire,
it's iron and titanium.
613
00:31:57,216 --> 00:32:00,284
NARRATOR:
Different impurities
absorb and reflect
614
00:32:00,352 --> 00:32:05,756
different colors of light,
similar to the Hope Diamond.
615
00:32:05,824 --> 00:32:06,857
Take a look at the color.
616
00:32:06,926 --> 00:32:08,692
Would you believe me
if I told you
617
00:32:08,761 --> 00:32:10,193
this was a sapphire?
618
00:32:10,262 --> 00:32:14,031
This stone is purple
and it's still a sapphire.
619
00:32:14,099 --> 00:32:18,702
NARRATOR:
Sapphires come in yellow, pink,
and of course blue,
620
00:32:18,771 --> 00:32:22,306
but one color of sapphire
has a name all its own:
621
00:32:22,374 --> 00:32:24,508
ruby.
622
00:32:24,576 --> 00:32:26,443
LUCAS:
I think most people
don't realize
623
00:32:26,512 --> 00:32:28,312
ruby and sapphire,
they're related.
624
00:32:28,380 --> 00:32:31,148
They're both
from the mineral corundum.
625
00:32:31,216 --> 00:32:32,249
They're varieties.
626
00:32:32,318 --> 00:32:34,484
It's just the color distinction
627
00:32:34,553 --> 00:32:38,422
that we give these gems
their famous names.
628
00:32:38,490 --> 00:32:42,893
NARRATOR:
Rubies' color comes
from the element chromium.
629
00:32:42,962 --> 00:32:46,730
Their rarity makes them one
of the most valuable gems.
630
00:32:46,799 --> 00:32:51,868
Sapphires and rubies show how
even Earth's imperfect recipes
631
00:32:51,937 --> 00:32:56,006
can lead to some of its
most beautiful creations.
632
00:32:56,075 --> 00:33:00,544
Cooked by the heat and pressure
of colliding tectonic plates,
633
00:33:00,612 --> 00:33:03,613
impurities can turn
a simple dull rock
634
00:33:03,682 --> 00:33:07,684
into a rainbow of rare
and precious gemstones.
635
00:33:07,753 --> 00:33:12,222
But not all gems are found
washed loose.
636
00:33:12,291 --> 00:33:16,727
Emeralds are some
of the rarest gems.
637
00:33:16,795 --> 00:33:22,165
But hunting for them requires
patience and explosive power.
638
00:33:22,234 --> 00:33:26,069
Jamie Hill and Ed Speer
of North Carolina
639
00:33:26,138 --> 00:33:29,573
have been mining emeralds
for more than 30 years.
640
00:33:29,641 --> 00:33:31,074
SPEER:
Almost ten percent
641
00:33:31,143 --> 00:33:35,479
of all of the emeralds
found on this property
642
00:33:35,547 --> 00:33:38,115
are greater than 100 carats.
643
00:33:38,183 --> 00:33:40,183
That means they're that big
or bigger.
644
00:33:40,252 --> 00:33:45,255
These are some of the biggest,
best emeralds in the world.
645
00:33:45,324 --> 00:33:49,593
NARRATOR:
Emeralds are formed by the hot,
mineral-rich fluids
646
00:33:49,661 --> 00:33:52,429
generated
when land masses collide,
647
00:33:52,498 --> 00:33:55,332
as they did
about 380 million years ago
648
00:33:55,401 --> 00:33:57,167
here in what is now
North Carolina.
649
00:33:57,236 --> 00:33:59,703
The challenge for Jamie and Ed
650
00:33:59,772 --> 00:34:02,773
is that these emeralds
can be anywhere here,
651
00:34:02,841 --> 00:34:05,375
still encased in the rock
where they formed.
652
00:34:05,444 --> 00:34:07,811
That's a nice specimen.
653
00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:10,447
NARRATOR:
That's where the firepower
comes in.
654
00:34:10,516 --> 00:34:15,052
We've got over 3,500 pounds
of high explosives.
655
00:34:15,120 --> 00:34:17,287
It's gonna be
over 10,000 tons of rock.
656
00:34:17,356 --> 00:34:20,891
This is gonna be a big one,
I mean, a real big one.
657
00:34:24,463 --> 00:34:28,031
(booming explosion)
658
00:34:32,271 --> 00:34:34,404
NARRATOR:
Blowing up a lot of earth
659
00:34:34,473 --> 00:34:36,506
is all in a day's work
for Ed and Jamie.
660
00:34:36,575 --> 00:34:41,211
But today, like most,
they come up short.
661
00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:44,681
The explosion didn't reveal
any obvious new emeralds.
662
00:34:44,750 --> 00:34:48,051
HILL:
We've got several days
of hard work here.
663
00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:49,519
But I'm very excited
664
00:34:49,588 --> 00:34:51,354
because emeralds could be
anywhere at any moment.
665
00:34:52,458 --> 00:34:53,190
Oh!
666
00:34:53,258 --> 00:34:53,957
There's the big one.
667
00:34:54,026 --> 00:34:54,991
Remember that one?
668
00:34:55,060 --> 00:34:56,760
Remember that one?
669
00:34:56,829 --> 00:34:59,496
It's that big one you found
at the end of the day.
670
00:34:59,565 --> 00:35:00,664
You were about to go home.
671
00:35:00,732 --> 00:35:02,265
I wanted to go home,
I was tired.
672
00:35:02,334 --> 00:35:04,167
I'll never forget that.
673
00:35:04,236 --> 00:35:07,270
That emerald weighs
over 1,450 carats.
674
00:35:07,339 --> 00:35:10,841
Making it one of the ten
largest emeralds ever found
675
00:35:10,909 --> 00:35:12,142
in North America.
676
00:35:12,211 --> 00:35:15,345
NARRATOR:
And this is only one
of the treasures
677
00:35:15,414 --> 00:35:17,547
Jamie and Ed have found.
678
00:35:17,616 --> 00:35:19,449
To date, they have uncovered
679
00:35:19,518 --> 00:35:22,185
$9 million worth of emeralds
680
00:35:22,254 --> 00:35:25,155
and have no plans
to stop looking.
681
00:35:25,224 --> 00:35:29,359
But if two men at one location
can uncover that many,
682
00:35:29,428 --> 00:35:31,027
it begs the question:
683
00:35:31,096 --> 00:35:36,500
are precious gems like diamonds
and emeralds really that rare?
684
00:35:36,568 --> 00:35:38,168
HAZEN:
It's so funny to think
685
00:35:38,237 --> 00:35:39,970
about the marketing of diamonds,
686
00:35:40,038 --> 00:35:43,173
making them sound incredibly
rare and incredibly valuable.
687
00:35:43,242 --> 00:35:44,341
And, of course,
688
00:35:44,409 --> 00:35:47,444
a big, perfect diamond
is a rare object.
689
00:35:47,513 --> 00:35:50,714
But the typical diamond,
half a carat, one carat diamond,
690
00:35:50,782 --> 00:35:52,949
they're available
by the billions,
691
00:35:53,018 --> 00:35:54,651
and they have to be
because otherwise,
692
00:35:54,720 --> 00:35:56,153
you wouldn't have
a jewelry market.
693
00:35:58,657 --> 00:36:01,024
NARRATOR:
Robert Hazen believes that
the value of gemstones
694
00:36:01,093 --> 00:36:03,593
is largely a creation
by the jewelry industry,
695
00:36:03,662 --> 00:36:06,429
not nature.
696
00:36:06,498 --> 00:36:07,931
But in some cases,
697
00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:12,435
the value comes from traditions
thousands of years old.
698
00:36:12,504 --> 00:36:16,840
Nowhere is that more evident
than in modern Beijing.
699
00:36:18,777 --> 00:36:21,778
Here, despite the onslaught
of rising wealth
700
00:36:21,847 --> 00:36:23,880
and luxury goods,
701
00:36:23,949 --> 00:36:28,418
there is one ancient treasure
that rises above all others:
702
00:36:28,487 --> 00:36:30,420
jade.
703
00:36:30,489 --> 00:36:34,991
In China, jade can be even more
valuable than diamonds.
704
00:36:35,060 --> 00:36:39,863
LISA DONG (translated):
This jade necklace
is called "water's love."
705
00:36:39,932 --> 00:36:42,399
It is made up
of the highest-quality stones,
706
00:36:42,467 --> 00:36:44,668
perfect for attending galas.
707
00:36:44,736 --> 00:36:47,971
It will elevate the party-going
lady's status instantly.
708
00:36:48,040 --> 00:36:50,140
Whoever wears "water's love,"
709
00:36:50,209 --> 00:36:52,375
she will be the queen
of the party.
710
00:36:52,444 --> 00:36:59,349
NARRATOR:
Lisa Dong sells jade pieces that
can cost upwards of $20 million.
711
00:36:59,418 --> 00:37:01,952
Even traditional jade bracelets,
712
00:37:02,020 --> 00:37:05,255
which have been worn by women
here for thousands of years,
713
00:37:05,324 --> 00:37:08,525
can easily cost
tens of thousands.
714
00:37:08,594 --> 00:37:13,363
(translated):
When you click
two jade pieces together,
715
00:37:13,432 --> 00:37:16,199
the clicking sound represents
a character trait--
716
00:37:16,268 --> 00:37:20,203
a refusal to be contaminated
by evil influences.
717
00:37:20,272 --> 00:37:24,774
NARRATOR:
Jade bracelets are thought
to bring luck and happiness
718
00:37:24,843 --> 00:37:28,645
with no end or beginning,
just like their shape.
719
00:37:30,549 --> 00:37:33,717
DONG (translated):
When a Chinese woman marries,
diamonds are not important.
720
00:37:33,785 --> 00:37:37,487
What is important is to have
a jade bracelet and ring.
721
00:37:37,556 --> 00:37:39,823
They embody the ideas
of Confucius:
722
00:37:39,891 --> 00:37:45,462
benevolence, righteousness,
courtesy, wisdom, and trust.
723
00:37:45,530 --> 00:37:50,267
NARRATOR:
How can one stone mean so much
to so many?
724
00:37:52,170 --> 00:37:54,070
There's no better place
to find an answer
725
00:37:54,139 --> 00:37:57,607
than in the heart
of Imperial China:
726
00:37:57,676 --> 00:37:59,376
The Forbidden City.
727
00:38:02,381 --> 00:38:05,615
Lin Xu is a specialist
in ancient jade.
728
00:38:08,887 --> 00:38:10,820
XU (translated):
Westerns may believe jade
729
00:38:10,889 --> 00:38:13,657
is a normal stone,
but in the eyes of us Chinese,
730
00:38:13,725 --> 00:38:16,860
jade is not only
a beautiful stone.
731
00:38:16,928 --> 00:38:20,063
We have such a long history
of jade objects in China.
732
00:38:20,132 --> 00:38:22,499
From its initial use
of connecting us to the gods,
733
00:38:22,567 --> 00:38:25,268
we add more functions to it
throughout the years.
734
00:38:25,337 --> 00:38:27,537
And now, the culture of jade
735
00:38:27,606 --> 00:38:31,241
coincides with Chinese culture
and history.
736
00:38:31,310 --> 00:38:34,144
NARRATOR:
Over China's very long history,
737
00:38:34,212 --> 00:38:37,047
jade became
increasingly connected
738
00:38:37,115 --> 00:38:38,481
with the imperial ruler.
739
00:38:38,550 --> 00:38:40,583
XU (translated):
Jade's association
740
00:38:40,652 --> 00:38:43,953
with the emperor
developed in stages.
741
00:38:44,022 --> 00:38:47,023
Owning jade was forbidden
to common people.
742
00:38:47,092 --> 00:38:50,193
They could lose their heads
if they were caught using jade.
743
00:38:50,262 --> 00:38:51,761
There were strict rules.
744
00:38:51,830 --> 00:38:54,964
NARRATOR:
Some of the most important
pieces of jade
745
00:38:55,033 --> 00:38:59,135
were the emperor's seals,
called xi.
746
00:38:59,204 --> 00:39:01,137
XU (translated):
All of the 25 xi
747
00:39:01,206 --> 00:39:03,807
were equally important,
tightly connected
748
00:39:03,875 --> 00:39:07,043
to the emperor's rule
and law-making.
749
00:39:07,112 --> 00:39:10,213
This is a green jade xi
for signing important documents
750
00:39:10,282 --> 00:39:12,382
that make announcement
to the entire nation.
751
00:39:12,451 --> 00:39:17,354
Whoever owned the xi was
to own the entire country.
752
00:39:17,422 --> 00:39:21,091
Ever since then, every dynasty
carried on the tradition.
753
00:39:21,159 --> 00:39:23,927
Dynasties fought
over the control of the xi.
754
00:39:23,995 --> 00:39:27,630
NARRATOR:
The English word for jade
describes what are actually
755
00:39:27,699 --> 00:39:33,103
two completely different
minerals: jadeite and nephrite.
756
00:39:33,171 --> 00:39:34,671
In my left hand
757
00:39:34,740 --> 00:39:36,639
is a mineral called jadeite.
758
00:39:36,708 --> 00:39:42,178
In my right hand is a greenish
mineral called nephrite.
759
00:39:42,247 --> 00:39:46,616
Both are, generally speaking,
referred to as jade,
760
00:39:46,685 --> 00:39:51,287
but chemically, these are
two very different minerals.
761
00:39:51,356 --> 00:39:55,392
One way you can tell
between a jadeite and a nephrite
762
00:39:55,460 --> 00:39:58,294
is to rub one against the other,
763
00:39:58,363 --> 00:40:03,900
and you can see the jadeite,
being slightly harder,
764
00:40:03,969 --> 00:40:06,102
can scratch the nephrite.
765
00:40:06,171 --> 00:40:09,839
NARRATOR:
Nephrite has the much longer
history in Chinese culture.
766
00:40:09,908 --> 00:40:12,575
One massive piece
of nephrite jade
767
00:40:12,644 --> 00:40:14,911
that was prized above all others
by the emperor
768
00:40:14,980 --> 00:40:19,015
still sits
in the Forbidden City.
769
00:40:19,084 --> 00:40:24,287
(translated):
Altogether, this sculpture took
ten years to complete.
770
00:40:24,356 --> 00:40:27,757
It is also the largest
jade sculpture in China.
771
00:40:30,862 --> 00:40:33,630
NARRATOR:
That tradition
of intricate carving
772
00:40:33,698 --> 00:40:35,799
still continues
in the town of Yangzhou,
773
00:40:35,867 --> 00:40:37,634
north of Shanghai.
774
00:40:39,304 --> 00:40:42,672
Jade is not chipped away
like marble.
775
00:40:44,976 --> 00:40:47,310
Historically,
pedal-powered machines
776
00:40:47,379 --> 00:40:49,712
and a hard abrasive were used
777
00:40:49,781 --> 00:40:52,115
to slowly grind and shape
the stone.
778
00:40:57,923 --> 00:41:01,424
Even today,
with the help of modern tools,
779
00:41:01,493 --> 00:41:06,629
jade requires patience to slowly
reveal the beauty of the stone.
780
00:41:06,698 --> 00:41:09,632
Master carver Yijin Gao says
781
00:41:09,701 --> 00:41:13,303
it is unlike diamond,
which is cleaved.
782
00:41:13,371 --> 00:41:16,306
You can't cut jade.
783
00:41:16,374 --> 00:41:20,743
The first step is to remove
the unnecessary parts.
784
00:41:20,812 --> 00:41:24,514
The second step
is grinding slowly
785
00:41:24,583 --> 00:41:27,083
for the piece to take shape.
786
00:41:27,152 --> 00:41:32,021
The earliest uses of jade
were as primitive tools
787
00:41:32,090 --> 00:41:34,724
because the toughness
and durability of the stone
788
00:41:34,793 --> 00:41:37,994
allowed it to be shaped
into useful forms.
789
00:41:39,998 --> 00:41:44,167
Richard Vinci is a materials
scientist at Lehigh University.
790
00:41:44,236 --> 00:41:46,035
VINCI:
Mostly, we associate
791
00:41:46,104 --> 00:41:51,007
toughness or being
damage-tolerant with metals.
792
00:41:51,076 --> 00:41:53,009
With a lot of minerals,
793
00:41:53,078 --> 00:41:55,778
as soon as they start to crack,
they just come apart.
794
00:41:57,182 --> 00:41:59,616
Jade is a little bit different,
795
00:41:59,684 --> 00:42:02,185
and it comes down
to the internal structure--
796
00:42:02,254 --> 00:42:05,955
not down at the atomic scale,
but at the micrometer scale.
797
00:42:06,024 --> 00:42:08,124
That's looking more promising.
798
00:42:08,193 --> 00:42:12,495
Maybe if we were to come
into this area over here?
799
00:42:12,564 --> 00:42:13,830
This piece of jade
800
00:42:13,899 --> 00:42:16,833
has all of these
little crystal fibers
801
00:42:16,902 --> 00:42:18,468
that are long and skinny,
802
00:42:18,537 --> 00:42:21,104
they look almost like
little noodles of spaghetti,
803
00:42:21,172 --> 00:42:24,040
and they're all
packed together tightly
804
00:42:24,109 --> 00:42:25,441
to make the solid crystal.
805
00:42:25,510 --> 00:42:29,212
In this area, the fibers are
all running this way,
806
00:42:29,281 --> 00:42:33,016
but in this area, it looks like
they're running cross this way.
807
00:42:33,084 --> 00:42:37,086
Down here, they're running
at sort of a diagonal.
808
00:42:37,155 --> 00:42:39,255
So as you try to crack it,
809
00:42:39,324 --> 00:42:43,660
the crack may go through
one bundle following the fibers,
810
00:42:43,728 --> 00:42:45,995
but as soon as it hits
the next bundle
811
00:42:46,064 --> 00:42:48,464
where the fibers are oriented
in a different direction,
812
00:42:48,533 --> 00:42:50,800
it has a very difficult time,
813
00:42:50,869 --> 00:42:54,203
and that gives it
a fair degree of toughness.
814
00:42:54,272 --> 00:42:58,274
NARRATOR:
That toughness
has led to another belief
815
00:42:58,343 --> 00:42:59,943
widespread in China:
816
00:43:00,011 --> 00:43:03,813
that jade protects the person
who wears it--
817
00:43:03,882 --> 00:43:07,050
one reason so many people buy
jade jewelry.
818
00:43:09,821 --> 00:43:14,190
(translated):
Chinese people normally believe
jade carries a blessing.
819
00:43:14,259 --> 00:43:17,894
We've all heard many stories
that a piece of jade shatters
820
00:43:17,963 --> 00:43:19,462
in order to protect his master.
821
00:43:21,366 --> 00:43:22,966
VINCI:
I think it's often the case
822
00:43:23,034 --> 00:43:26,736
that people associate
physical characteristics
823
00:43:26,805 --> 00:43:30,640
with more moral
or mystical characteristics.
824
00:43:30,709 --> 00:43:33,977
So the characteristics that
we associate with that material
825
00:43:34,045 --> 00:43:37,146
are coming
from its individual atoms
826
00:43:37,215 --> 00:43:38,648
and their electron structure
827
00:43:38,717 --> 00:43:40,316
and how those atoms
are arranged.
828
00:43:40,385 --> 00:43:43,286
We really can't appreciate that
829
00:43:43,355 --> 00:43:45,288
at the level
at which we're using it,
830
00:43:45,357 --> 00:43:46,856
but we certainly appreciate
the properties
831
00:43:46,925 --> 00:43:48,091
that result from it.
832
00:43:49,928 --> 00:43:51,561
NARRATOR:
There is another gem
833
00:43:51,630 --> 00:43:53,963
with unusual microscopic
properties
834
00:43:54,032 --> 00:43:56,766
that some call the Queen,
835
00:43:56,835 --> 00:44:00,069
and it is mostly found
Down Under.
836
00:44:00,138 --> 00:44:06,275
Australia has 95%
of the world's precious opal.
837
00:44:06,344 --> 00:44:08,645
Black opal is the most rare
838
00:44:08,713 --> 00:44:11,381
and famously comes
from one town:
839
00:44:11,449 --> 00:44:14,250
Lightning Ridge.
840
00:44:14,319 --> 00:44:17,687
Anthony Melonas is
a fourth-generation miner.
841
00:44:19,758 --> 00:44:20,723
MELONAS:
It's in my blood.
842
00:44:20,792 --> 00:44:23,026
I look at diamonds
and emeralds
843
00:44:23,094 --> 00:44:25,161
and rubies and sapphires.
844
00:44:25,230 --> 00:44:26,562
Well, opal's the queen.
845
00:44:26,631 --> 00:44:29,966
Opal is the queen
of all the gems.
846
00:44:30,035 --> 00:44:33,236
NARRATOR:
Melonas says the only way
to find an opal
847
00:44:33,304 --> 00:44:37,273
is to careful dig away
at the Outback's clay walls.
848
00:44:37,342 --> 00:44:38,841
MELONAS:
The thing about opal:
849
00:44:38,910 --> 00:44:40,476
just when you think
you know what you're doing,
850
00:44:40,545 --> 00:44:42,578
it will surprise you.
851
00:44:42,647 --> 00:44:44,280
It can form anywhere.
852
00:44:44,349 --> 00:44:47,350
And what you don't want is
this piece of machinery
853
00:44:47,419 --> 00:44:48,751
going right through a big opal.
854
00:44:51,356 --> 00:44:53,523
NARRATOR:
Fortunately, in the white rock,
855
00:44:53,591 --> 00:44:57,527
the colors of opal
make it relatively easy to spot.
856
00:44:57,595 --> 00:45:01,798
These vivid colors are what
gives the stone its value.
857
00:45:01,866 --> 00:45:04,667
Opal can come in many colors,
858
00:45:04,736 --> 00:45:11,174
including deep blue-greens,
intense purple, or fiery red.
859
00:45:11,242 --> 00:45:13,910
And it has a sparkle
all its own,
860
00:45:13,978 --> 00:45:17,280
again a result
of its microscopic structure.
861
00:45:17,348 --> 00:45:18,781
VINCI:
I love opals.
862
00:45:18,850 --> 00:45:21,851
Not only are they very flashy,
but they're also very different
863
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:23,820
from most of the other
gemstones.
864
00:45:23,888 --> 00:45:25,521
Instead of irregular
little crystals,
865
00:45:25,590 --> 00:45:27,023
they are these perfect
little spheres.
866
00:45:27,092 --> 00:45:31,794
NARRATOR:
An opal is made up
of tiny spheres of silica,
867
00:45:31,863 --> 00:45:33,930
a mixture of silicon and oxygen
868
00:45:33,998 --> 00:45:37,867
found in sand
and even ordinary window glass.
869
00:45:37,936 --> 00:45:41,871
The spheres are so small
that when packed together,
870
00:45:41,940 --> 00:45:44,707
they can scatter
wavelengths of light,
871
00:45:44,776 --> 00:45:47,543
creating flashes
of different colors.
872
00:45:47,612 --> 00:45:51,414
VINCI:
And so depending on the size
of the spheres,
873
00:45:51,483 --> 00:45:53,282
you will get
different colors appearing.
874
00:45:53,351 --> 00:45:56,652
Certain opals will flash
mostly green or mostly red
875
00:45:56,721 --> 00:45:58,654
or maybe a mixture
of these colors.
876
00:45:58,723 --> 00:46:02,058
NARRATOR:
Opal is not a crystal
like most other gems;
877
00:46:02,127 --> 00:46:07,563
it is a collection
of billions of glassy spheres
878
00:46:07,632 --> 00:46:10,933
packed together and surrounded
by a small amount of water.
879
00:46:11,002 --> 00:46:13,369
(thunder rumbling)
880
00:46:13,438 --> 00:46:17,440
Just how opals form
is not completely understood.
881
00:46:17,509 --> 00:46:21,043
One interpretation is that
under rare conditions,
882
00:46:21,112 --> 00:46:23,713
water percolated
through the ground
883
00:46:23,782 --> 00:46:26,749
and dissolved silica from rock.
884
00:46:26,818 --> 00:46:31,187
That viscous mineral mix
filled in cracks in the Earth
885
00:46:31,256 --> 00:46:36,159
and slowly solidified,
like Jell-O in a mold.
886
00:46:36,227 --> 00:46:39,996
Opal can form in any gap
887
00:46:40,064 --> 00:46:43,332
or even fill in fossils
left by ancient life.
888
00:46:43,401 --> 00:46:46,102
These rare fossils are
a colorful record
889
00:46:46,171 --> 00:46:48,104
of a prehistoric world...
890
00:46:48,173 --> 00:46:50,840
(hawk screeching)
891
00:46:50,909 --> 00:46:53,876
...preserved in part
by a unique geology
892
00:46:53,945 --> 00:46:57,947
in Australia,
where very little happened,
893
00:46:58,016 --> 00:47:01,851
all evidence
of an exquisite connection
894
00:47:01,920 --> 00:47:07,957
between geology, life,
and precious gems.
895
00:47:08,026 --> 00:47:10,726
The beauty of every gem
896
00:47:10,795 --> 00:47:14,397
comes from a unique recipe
inside Earth.
897
00:47:14,465 --> 00:47:19,068
But can they tell us
something more?
898
00:47:19,137 --> 00:47:21,637
Are there clues held
by these gems
899
00:47:21,706 --> 00:47:24,907
that can solve some
of the most enduring mysteries
900
00:47:24,976 --> 00:47:27,243
in the field of geology?
901
00:47:27,312 --> 00:47:29,412
One of those mysteries
902
00:47:29,480 --> 00:47:33,115
is when the important process
of plate tectonics began.
903
00:47:33,184 --> 00:47:37,086
Giant tectonic plates
pushed and pulled
904
00:47:37,155 --> 00:47:40,189
by the need to release heat
deep within Earth
905
00:47:40,258 --> 00:47:41,791
have shaped the map
of the continents
906
00:47:41,860 --> 00:47:44,260
into what we know today
907
00:47:44,329 --> 00:47:47,930
and made Earth
more geologically active
908
00:47:47,999 --> 00:47:51,100
than all other known planets.
909
00:47:51,169 --> 00:47:54,470
But when did this
critical process begin?
910
00:47:54,539 --> 00:47:57,073
HAZEN:
When plate tectonics begins
911
00:47:57,141 --> 00:47:58,908
is a huge question.
912
00:47:58,977 --> 00:48:01,177
Some people think it is more
than four billion years ago.
913
00:48:01,246 --> 00:48:03,379
Some people think
it didn't really get started
914
00:48:03,448 --> 00:48:05,248
until less than a billion years.
915
00:48:05,316 --> 00:48:07,416
That's a huge discrepancy.
916
00:48:07,485 --> 00:48:11,187
So any insight we have
on how plate tectonics began
917
00:48:11,256 --> 00:48:13,522
is incredibly valuable
918
00:48:13,591 --> 00:48:15,191
to understanding
our dynamic planet.
919
00:48:15,260 --> 00:48:19,695
NARRATOR:
Steven Shirey at the Carnegie
Institution for Science
920
00:48:19,764 --> 00:48:23,900
thinks these diamonds
may hold the answer, literally.
921
00:48:23,968 --> 00:48:25,701
SHIREY:
So we're looking
at three rough diamonds.
922
00:48:25,770 --> 00:48:28,204
Rough diamonds means uncut.
923
00:48:28,273 --> 00:48:30,873
NARRATOR:
Shirey, a geochemist,
924
00:48:30,942 --> 00:48:34,176
is investigating what others
consider bad diamonds:
925
00:48:34,245 --> 00:48:37,713
ones with flaws--
tiny bits of earth
926
00:48:37,782 --> 00:48:40,416
trapped inside,
called inclusions.
927
00:48:40,485 --> 00:48:43,085
SHIREY:
Here's one, here's another one.
928
00:48:43,154 --> 00:48:45,054
These black specs
would make this diamond
929
00:48:45,123 --> 00:48:46,889
not good for the jewelry market,
930
00:48:46,958 --> 00:48:48,691
so Tiffany's would not
this particular specimen.
931
00:48:48,760 --> 00:48:50,927
NARRATOR:
Tiffany's may not want them,
932
00:48:50,995 --> 00:48:54,697
but for Shirey,
these diamonds are, in effect,
933
00:48:54,766 --> 00:48:57,133
an ancient safety deposit box
934
00:48:57,201 --> 00:49:00,636
preserving the chemistry
of early Earth.
935
00:49:00,705 --> 00:49:03,239
SHIREY:
Diamonds are the best container
you could have for anything.
936
00:49:03,308 --> 00:49:05,007
When they enclose a mineral,
937
00:49:05,076 --> 00:49:07,343
they become the best
time capsules we have.
938
00:49:07,412 --> 00:49:10,813
NARRATOR:
The first step is getting
to the flaw.
939
00:49:10,882 --> 00:49:13,516
After all,
this container is made
940
00:49:13,584 --> 00:49:15,518
of the hardest material
on Earth.
941
00:49:15,586 --> 00:49:19,855
What we have here is
a diamond-cutting laser.
942
00:49:19,924 --> 00:49:22,525
It's going to cut
from top to bottom,
943
00:49:22,593 --> 00:49:25,895
and that part of the diamond
will be actually vaporized.
944
00:49:25,964 --> 00:49:28,864
All right, Joe, let's go ahead
and cut this baby, all right?
945
00:49:28,933 --> 00:49:30,700
Here we go, ready?
946
00:49:33,538 --> 00:49:36,505
When I see a diamond,
like anybody, I love its beauty.
947
00:49:36,574 --> 00:49:39,275
But I really love a diamond
that has a lot of flaws.
948
00:49:41,879 --> 00:49:44,480
NARRATOR:
Then the diamonds are polished
949
00:49:44,549 --> 00:49:47,950
to clearly reveal
the inclusions.
950
00:49:48,019 --> 00:49:49,719
Then we can get a really good
look at the inclusions,
951
00:49:49,787 --> 00:49:52,321
and you can see
one, two, three, four.
952
00:49:52,390 --> 00:49:54,857
NARRATOR:
By breaking through the diamond
953
00:49:54,926 --> 00:49:57,159
and analyzing the chemistry
of the minerals,
954
00:49:57,228 --> 00:49:59,829
Shirey has found
something startling:
955
00:49:59,897 --> 00:50:02,732
minerals billions of years old
956
00:50:02,800 --> 00:50:05,935
that could only have formed
on the surface.
957
00:50:08,272 --> 00:50:12,308
But given that diamonds form
deep within the Earth,
958
00:50:12,377 --> 00:50:14,877
how did that happen?
959
00:50:14,946 --> 00:50:19,582
Shirey believes that
the motion of plate tectonics
960
00:50:19,650 --> 00:50:22,318
carried the minerals
deep into Earth,
961
00:50:22,387 --> 00:50:25,388
where the material was
encapsulated by a diamond.
962
00:50:25,456 --> 00:50:27,723
SHIREY:
So that's a dead ringer
for the idea that
963
00:50:27,792 --> 00:50:30,860
they're from the surface
of the Earth.
964
00:50:30,928 --> 00:50:33,896
NARRATOR:
But Shirey has never found
surface minerals
965
00:50:33,965 --> 00:50:38,401
in a diamond older than
3.2 billion years.
966
00:50:38,469 --> 00:50:43,539
And that suggests that plate
tectonics or a related process
967
00:50:43,608 --> 00:50:46,475
could have begun at
about that time.
968
00:50:46,544 --> 00:50:48,310
SHIREY:
We can take very tiny grains
969
00:50:48,379 --> 00:50:50,613
and scale up
to very large questions.
970
00:50:50,681 --> 00:50:52,615
And these are the biggest
questions you can answer
971
00:50:52,683 --> 00:50:55,618
about geology on the earth,
and we're doing it
972
00:50:55,686 --> 00:50:58,220
with almost the smallest
specimens that humans can study.
973
00:50:58,289 --> 00:51:00,056
HAZEN:
You know, it's amazing
974
00:51:00,124 --> 00:51:02,058
the role that diamonds
have played
975
00:51:02,126 --> 00:51:03,893
in understanding Earth
as a whole.
976
00:51:03,961 --> 00:51:06,195
Diamonds give us hints
about how Earth works
977
00:51:06,264 --> 00:51:08,831
and how it was made.
978
00:51:08,900 --> 00:51:13,536
NARRATOR:
The journey of gemstones
both flawed and flawless
979
00:51:13,604 --> 00:51:17,973
reveal forces of Earth's
unimaginable power
980
00:51:18,042 --> 00:51:20,810
as well as the heights
of artistic
981
00:51:20,878 --> 00:51:22,411
and scientific endeavor.
982
00:51:22,480 --> 00:51:27,083
Around the world,
that process continues today
983
00:51:27,151 --> 00:51:30,152
as scientists
are finding new uses
984
00:51:30,221 --> 00:51:32,888
for these ancient treasures:
985
00:51:32,957 --> 00:51:35,791
lasers that employ
the clear optics of rubies,
986
00:51:35,860 --> 00:51:38,561
and diamond's
thermal conductivity
987
00:51:38,629 --> 00:51:42,331
used in the next generation
of quantum computing.
988
00:51:42,400 --> 00:51:48,070
So whether under museum guard,
for sale at Tiffany,
989
00:51:48,139 --> 00:51:50,873
or in laboratories
around the world,
990
00:51:50,942 --> 00:51:54,009
these treasures prove
that their value,
991
00:51:54,078 --> 00:51:59,815
both aesthetic and scientific,
can indeed last forever.
992
00:52:23,207 --> 00:52:25,908
This NOVA program is
available on DVD.
993
00:52:25,977 --> 00:52:31,313
To order, visit shopPBS.org,
or call 1-800-play-PBS.
994
00:52:31,382 --> 00:52:34,083
NOVA is also available
for download on iTunes.