Regeneration Growth as One of the Principal Stages of Diamond Crystallogenesis

Igor V Klepikov,Anton V Antonov,Evgeny A Vasilev

doi:10.3390/min12030327

Abstract

Revealing the internal structure of diamonds is key to understanding the general regularities of crystal growth and dissolution. This paper presents and summarizes data on the internal structure of diamonds of different morphological types, colors and defect-impurity composition. In order to provide a comprehensive explanation of the stages of diamond growth, crystals and plates were observed, and panchromatic cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence techniques were applied. This article considers the mechanism of tangential growth from existing surfaces (regeneration growth) as an intermediate stage between normal and tangential crystal growth. The regeneration growth is very fast due to the absence of the limiting stage-nucleation of a new atomic layer. Cuboid diamonds were refaceted to stepped octahedrons by the regeneration growth mechanism. A schematic model of crystal habit transformation due to regeneration growth explains the internal structure of crystals in connection with their morphology and thermal history. The main variants of regeneration stage and its morphological manifestations were demonstrated. Most diamonds pass through the regeneration stage, and in many cases, it was a stage of growth termination.

Highlights

The morphological diversity of diamond crystals has been thoroughly described [1–4].some issues of crystal growth remain controversial
A schematic model of crystal habit transformation due to regeneration growth explains the internal structure of crystals in connection with their morphology and thermal history
Most diamonds pass through the regeneration stage, and in many cases, it was a stage of growth termination

Summary

Introduction

The morphological diversity of diamond crystals has been thoroughly described [1–4]. Some issues of crystal growth remain controversial. Even in the case of single crystals, studying their internal structure is key to understanding many morphological characteristics [6–9]. The variety of diamond shapes in nature is a consequence of changes in their growth and dissolution conditions. V. Beskrovanov [10] developed a schematic model of morphology evolution at the main stages of diamond formation. Beskrovanov [10] developed a schematic model of morphology evolution at the main stages of diamond formation He provided a model of the dependence of the shape and internal structure of diamonds on supersaturation and time. I. Sunagawa [11] distinguished two growth mechanisms of diamond crystals in nature. The normal growth forms curved cuboid surfaces. The tangential growth forms flat octahedral facets.

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Discussion

Conclusion