Table of Contents

Preface; Prologue; 1. Mysteries; 2. Attempts; 3. The legacy of Percy Bridgman; 4. Baltzar von Platen and the incredible diamond machine; 5. The crystals of Loring Coes; 6. Project Superpressure; 7. Breakthrough; 8. Secrets; 9. Risky business; 10. The rivals; 11. The new diamond makers: diamond by explosion; 12. The new diamond makers: diamonds from a vapor; 13. The diamond breakers; Epilogue.

Promotional Information

A compelling narrative relating the dramatic history of diamond making.

Reviews

'Read it and spread the word.' Robert Matthews, New Scientist 'Hazen represents the best of a rare breed ... Most of us do not know that the immense pressures reached in the interior of cosmic bodies like the earth can also be generated in our laboratories. This fascinating book explains the technology and important results of this pathbreaking work.' Stephen Jay Gould 'Very few scientists can convey the drama of scientific discovery and write as beautifully ... Hazen is a natural storyteller.' Frank Press, Past President, National Academy of Sciences 'Utterly absorbing new history ... Hazen makes the story profoundly exciting, conveying the scientific passion of the researchers ... It's a gem.' Curt Suplee, The Washington Post 'Sparkling gem of technological history ... Multifaceted and gleaming with drama and wit.' Kirkus Reviews 'Hazen exposes struggles, rivalries, failures, and successes in a captivating story.' Library Journal 'An amazing book ... I would recommend it without qualification.' Calvin Bass, Tulsa World 'Hazen tells the very interesting and gripping story of the manufacture of artificial diamonds in this fine book.' R. Rudman, Choice 'This is a scientific thriller. It has a rich cast of characters engaged in a quest (to make the first artificial diamonds); it has the lure of riches; it has the rivalry of the participants; and it has danger (not for nothing did high pressure researchers call their apparatus 'bombs').' Richard Stevenson, Chemistry in Britain 'The Diamond Makers is a first-class, fascinatingly well written history of the exciting developments that led to the creation of diamonds even from peanut butter.' William D. Romey, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY '... a compelling, nontechnical narrative covering centuries of history related to diamond, centred mostly around brilliant, often eccentric and controversial pioneers of research at high pressures ... a thorough and exciting account.' Francis P. Bundy, Physics Today 'I have been doing some studying and have just finished reading an outstanding book, The Diamond Makers by Robert M Hazen ... The book is of special interest to materials scientists.' Materials World