Polishing a Pink Mega Diamond - Periodic Table of Videos

[@AlaesterNikolaiModern]

"There's the man who polished the pink diamond." *Guy looks absolutely disinterested in being recorded*

[@Verrisin]

"Leave me be. I have children to feed."

[@danissdiary]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@danilov114]

You too would find little pleasure in them walking around, while you polish a stone - that may cost more than your life-long pay... Tnh.. I just made a 150k f-up.. time to run....

[@ildikoedit9110]

I wonder how much these workers earn for this job. I don't know but I'm pessimistic. Their work is precious but they could probably never afford any of the diamonds made beautiful by them.

[@alexlucero4318]

Alaester Nikolai Modern as i read this comment i notice his death stare

[@hankyboy42594]

“Over here we have a machine” *points to Russian dude*

[@tinfoil8599]

they treat everyone like furniture, especially foreigners. everything they film in the field has that Attenborough-like vibe to it

[@hankyboy42594]

tinfoil I was making a joke

[@tyrian666]

Yes komrade cause in mother russia machine dont replace human, human replace machine

[@thecianinator]

"...I AM A MACHINE."

[@BobbyIronsights]

Ok, that was pretty funny!

[@SarcasticDragonGaming]

I mean, if nobody wants the fluorescing ones I’ll take them.

[@Osprey1994]

Nope there's definitely a market for people who like things that fluoresce.

[@Kiromony]

Fluorescing diamonds should be more valuable, change my mind

[@SarcasticDragonGaming]

OspreyBravo18 shhh

[@SarcasticDragonGaming]

Simon Repolt I second this.

[@andyd8370]

Yeah talk about some epic rave kandy

[@omagarwal4486]

BEST VIDEO ON DIAMONDS PROCESSING, CALIBRATION , CUTTING , POLISHING , AND FINISHING.

[@tibor_a1524]

I just imagined the Professor in a parallel universe violently grabbing a handful of fluorescent diamonds and just full speed running and kicking open doors.

[@bocbinsgames6745]

The Queen is in the getaway helicopter waiting

[@AlexanderBukh]

No, he drops those into his hairdo and they are lost there.

[@Renzsu]

Alexander Bukh Maybe he’s born with it, maybe it’s a fist full of diamonds

[@TheExplosiveGuy]

Now that's a priceless mental image right there...

[@ModMINI]

@@AlexanderBukhThe security screen at the end of the visit. They will be patting down his fro.

[@RWBHere]

You were very privileged to be able to record in there. Thank-you, all of the team, for the fascinating video.

[@jamesrenold259]

3:27 A special color called "Fancy Deep Purple Pink", one of the more technical terms of gemology

[@treatb09]

jumangology

[@Dragongaga]

No, the emphasis is wrong it's "Fancy 'Deep Purple' Pink"

[@kcgunesq]

"Fancy" is diamond speak for a desirable color. Unlike an "P" color diamond which would generally be considered less desirable (and generally, lower per ct cost), once you move past "Z", you get into the "Fancy" ranges where prices can start to increase.

[@trigongroupintl]

@@Dragongaga THE TERMINOLOGY IS: INTENSE FANCY PURPLISH PINK!!

[@cleristoncardosojaques3922]

In the Abaeté river in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil hundreds of pink diamonds were found. When mining, we took a 17-carat one.

[@loretocashin8137]

The professor is the real diamond here with a genuine passion and acquired wisdom and knowledge and respect for colleagues could listen to him all day on the topic of diamonds.

[@13antonispao]

Damn those stares @ 7:37 "Just let me do my job!"

[@morganmitchell4017]

lol he seemed really suspicious

[@narukibalover]

I thought exactly the same😂😂

[@NatetheAceOfficial]

"I vill keel you..."

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

Maybe they didn't tell him there were visitors or who they were

[@zhiracs]

@@lucianodebenedictis6014 I'm fairly certain all staff would have been alerted that what is effectively a small documentary crew would be entering a facility filled to the damn brim with diamonds. From there I think it's just a matter of individual suspicion/willingness to tolerate visitors on the part of the workers.

[@nancyhobson9710]

We like the Prof with the bouncy hair, the exotic tie, and lovely way of explaining things who periodically comes on to explain about diamonds

[@darkhayou]

That hair is more valuable than those diamonds.

[@davidmcgill1000]

Probably full of diamond dust after leaving.

[@Patrick.Weightman]

While I agree with the point you're making, mining/transportation/etc. DOES have it's costs.

[@joetexas1546]

Talk about 'Flourescense'!

[@PedroDelimaMarcano]

Indeed

[@colonelgraff9198]

White Fro

[@gailjackson6557]

Diamond dust is collected and used as an abrasive polisher. You'd think a professor would know that. Excellent video!!!

[@Tamari001]

"because if you get it wrong and make a mistake, you've had it" I believe you Professor, I believe you.

[@ZondaFRoadster]

Especially in Russia....

[@HanabiraKage]

I mean like for example, that pink diamond's the largest of its kind ever found and cut. Imagine being that one guy who cut the damn thing, the immense pressure to not screw up such a ridiculously expensive piece.

[@SuqMadiq]

KGB come and help you find peace. They only want to help. Do not question or resist.

[@kcgunesq]

Excellent video. A bit less academic than most, but equally interesting. I hope the company that allowed the filming knows how much it is appreciated.

[@PorchPotatoMike]

The hair is particularly on point today.

[@The_Salty_Siren]

MeanMad Mike 🙌🏽🤣

[@mark-ish]

Wonder if he dropped a diamond or two in to that birds nest of his.

[@rptrj1384]

I love it when the professor sounds genuinely excited about something :D

[@12gabriel3]

The bad thing about diamond cutter career is all the grind until you get to the top

[@LaDivinaLover]

Very punny

[@kj22697]

Well done

[@liaia7375]

I don't get it :/

[@theimperfectgod7140]

pai to win games in a nut shell sometimes you can't get even to the top... :|

[@alexdoesntlikeyoutubethatmuch]

Yes the immense pressure can be a bit rough

[@ildikoedit9110]

I love his insightful commentaries! And he touches everything and tells how it feels, it's really interesting!

[@suhaimiuwai617]

Yes gud pere gud...

[@lithostheory]

The diamond dust is not thrown away, it is re-used as an abrasive powder.

[@tarnvedra9952]

It is almost worthless. Guy grinding the pink diamond made 10 dollars worth in 2 months. Why not just order some and screw the hassle?

[@A3Kr0n]

I think most diamond abrasive powder is synthetic these days.

[@misterhat5823]

@@A3Kr0n Probably so. But, I doubt they just throw away what comes from the processing of diamonds.

[@Deibler666]

They sell the powder to the polish wheel makers

[@treatb09]

they recycle it into more diamonds they call 'NATURAL'.. like the food you keep eating and buying too. "we grow these diamonds from diamond dust that was naturally found, from natural diamonds."

[@ykzone8690]

Wow ! I have seen diamonds first time in reality this is my best ever channel .

[@zapfanzapfan]

That pink diamond polisher looks sooo happy to be on camera...

[@nandornagyilles3290]

I'm sure he can polish other colours of diamonds

[@alexanderkladogenis5562]

@@nandornagyilles3290 αλεξανδρος

[@nandornagyilles3290]

@@alexanderkladogenis5562 okay

[@theinspector5]

Apparently in Russia smiling is seen as casual and unprofessional, so Russians in professional settings learn to put on a stern face regardless of how they truly feel

[@elaineh5423]

It was so funny right

[@niagarawarrior9623]

this is amazing, great video. As always, everything is well explained and comprehensibly. i like how the professor even explains the sounds and smells if the workshop, even the little details like that make a difference.

[@RandomMan-nv2qh]

The yellow one is yellow... (thanks) Because of nitrogen in the lattice (oh)

[@XxflyingderpsXx]

These videos make me so happy. This guy is just so enthusiastic about it and I love it!

[@davidk8184]

7:37 I am suspicious that the man who polished the pink diamond is wanted by Interpol.

[@apolloniuspergus9295]

Lol

[@Ishsa]

"It’s carbon, so in principle it could catch fire" Just made me giggle

[@josepeixoto3715]

those should all catch fire,they delay human progress down,so much pointless labor going into them; and wars...

[@celtgunn9775]

Brady, Professor P, my Grandfather used to cut gemstones. Not for a big company though. He just did it for the love of the hobby & competition. He would compete and won a big competition against other people. One stone cut that I've still never seen others have before or since is an Eagle Eye. The gemstone is actually shaped almost like an Eagle's eye. When my Grandfather passed away, my Grandmother allowed me to pick a gemstone of my Grandfather's. I picked the Eagle Eye. It's only a Smoky Topaz, but the cut is stunning. Great episode guys, full of knowledge! Loved this. 😍

[@QueenTea_]

Hmm, very interesting, now I have an insatiable need to see this stone.

[@QueenTea_]

Do you still have it?

[@-Kerstin]

After hyping it up this much you gotta snap a picture :p

[@QueenTea_]

Right??

[@celtgunn9775]

@@QueenTea_ yes, I do. It's currently packed away until all of our belongings are unpacked from our shipping container. But Yes. It's not in a setting either.

[@101Nya]

I really enjoy listening to him, he is never dull!

[@joetexas1546]

There is a lot of ‘Tension’ in that place.

[@mr.bishops64]

Do you want to die, buddy?

[@me0101001000]

I just hope it doesn't STRESS anyone out

[@mayukhbhattacharya8793]

@@me0101001000 I'm more worried about the STRAIN this puts on professor's health

[@firebug1892]

Paid pennies to cut a 10 million dollar diamond lol that’s why!

[@mack-1025]

Cubic zirconium?

[@hotaru8309]

3:59 That yellow was so beautiful uncut. It's so sad, because I understand they want to remove all imperfections and specks of things from the stones, but so much beauty is lost. It's hard to justify sometimes.

[@electronicsNmore]

It's no wonder why Diamonds cost so much, an incredible amount of highly skilled labor goes into grinding/polishing them. Another great video!

[@dlevi67]

Cutting and polishing costs amount for a very small proportion of the cost - proportion that is even lower for important/rare stones.

[@wasd____]

The cost of cutting and polishing is insignificant as a fraction of selling price, actually - when was the last time you got paid $30 million for a couple month's work? Diamonds are a gigantic scam, really.

[@douglasparkinson4123]

also, a sneaky bit off supply manipulation by the biggest diamond seller in the world to massively increase price.

[@qwertyqwerty697]

@@wasd____ That is why I prefer rare gold over common carbon (diamonds).

[@wasd____]

@@qwertyqwerty697 Gold is also a scam. Its price isn't tied to its utility as a material component in things that are actually useful, it's only bought and sold on the expectation that other people will also want to buy it. It is, like diamonds, a manufactured overvaluation of something that isn't intrinsically worth that much.

[@heavencanwaite]

I came for the diamond, I stayed for the hair

[@JohnMichaelson]

Very cool, and thank you for the detailed description of the polishing room and its conditions. That put the scene clearly in mind.

[@BunnyFett]

I love that he started talking about the chemical composition of their colors. I enjoy studying this.

[@TheGreatSteve]

Russians always look really happy.

[@polymorphicprocrastination5345]

Are u being sarcastic?

[@KurtHektik]

They are just hangover from vodka or maybe tired from a couple of days stay in gulag holiday camp.

[@Tindometari]

This *is* what happy Russians look like. :)

[@vwvwvsuki]

Это Россия, тут никто не улыбается, лол. Только красивые зумеры.

[@pizdarus]

Russian isn't a race, idiot.

[@coleorange970]

I love how they are so gentle when holding the hardest material on earth like somethings going to scratch it 😂

[@wades623]

Hardness does t mean toughness, they can shatter or chip if dropped or hit with a hammer

[@crazycherokee8552]

@@michaelmodernsonicfan5341 First, the proper way to say that is "it *will probably* " not "it probably will", secondly, its spelled *Shattered* , finally, someone as young as yourself wouldn't even understand the basic chemistry and physics of a diamond, let alone understand its physical properties and actual uses in modern technology. It isn't just some pretty rock that is price gouged for no reason other than massive profit, its usefulness in abrasives far exceeds silica and other mediums, hence its uses in mining, milling, drilling, there's even methods of subbing diamond dust for silica medium in pneumatic sand blaster machines.

[@kaylawuvscookies]

@@wades623 "dropped or hit with a hammer". So I suppose slammed onto a table and blown up with 2 tons of tnt are considered the same amount of force now?

[@roysuggs3635]

@@wades623 Think of it as a ball made of glass and a ball made of rubber. The glass ball is harder and the rubber ball is tougher.

[@michaelmodernsonicfan5341]

@@crazycherokee8552 i think i deleted my comment bruv

[@bryanc1975]

The professor's hair looks FANTASTIC in this video! The diamonds are pretty cool, too.

[@misspomerol]

Professor Poliakoff being in the “Room Where it Happened” is the Periodic Video/Hamilton crossover I needed in my life right now.

[@davidbuschhorn6539]

10:22 I can feel that that guy's soul comes from a long line of retail workers. The look on his face....

[@bennemann]

Nah, his soul comes from a long line of being Russian :) Life is not easy over there.

[@kgipe]

In Communist Russia, you don't grind the diamond. The diamond grinds you.

[@beemer9108]

Wow. Just beautiful. I had no idea there was actually so much process that went into diamonds. I figured we'd just use machines for all of the process, but I guess we just don't have that kind of precision yet. Really cool. Great video!

[@sangeetabihari77]

Professor was probably thinking all the time " These diamonds could have been doing some cool chemistry, what a waste...."

[@verdatum]

Meh, diamonds are pretty stable. Chemists are more interested in things that are more reactive.

[@oremooremo5075]

High pressure physics maybe

[@eduardopupucon]

diamonds are more of an engineers tool than a chemist, you have no idea how useful they are for machining and cutting

[@RandomMan-nv2qh]

He did study about supercritical fluid xd

[@greenredblue]

What, you mean like a diamond anvil (I think that’s what it’s called) like they have at the National Ignition Facility? Nah, what could possibly be cool about science that involves using a small town’s worth of power to run a building-sized laser array that can recreate the conditions found inside the core of a star? I mean talk about ho hum, amirite? ;-D

[@Yohanyothan]

Your channel is one of the best on youtube. Educational, insightful, and downright hilarious at times! That guy did not want to be filmed 😂😂

[@AntoineBilliard]

it's really fascinating to see how much work goes into a single diamond!

[@benkei7530]

Antoine Billiard you don’t know the half of it

[@beefmaster7]

Brady, your videos are amazing. My five year old daughter’s attention was captured for the full video. It helps that she’s fascinated by diamonds.

[@metalmusic1401]

I would like to say thank you for all the enjoyment that you have brought me I have been a subscriber for a while now and really enjoy the science stuff I have cerebral palsy so I look for things to occupy my time and this science stuff has always been top notch greetings from Australia

[@SpencerBrewerOG]

Come on dude, we all know Australia doesnt exist

[@metalmusic1401]

@@SpencerBrewerOG hahaha very funny last time I checked I'm pretty sure I existed

[@SpencerBrewerOG]

@@metalmusic1401 Did you hit the wrong like button? Because ya know, your upside down?

[@metalmusic1401]

@@SpencerBrewerOG I think you need to invest more time in your humour

[@SpencerBrewerOG]

@@metalmusic1401 ... Ok

[@alexconcord3597]

Very interesting and impressing indeed. I enjoy the lectures made by this expert with his unique and gorgeous hair-style.

[@MitchJ]

Hooray for Carbon!! Thanks Doctor Poliakoff.

[@bitTorrenter]

I think this one of your best videos. The Johnson Matthey tour aswell.

[@TulioSounds]

I wish this video was even longer! That was really interesting and amazing! I I always wondered about how this is done. Very cool!

[@thenobleone-3384]

Gold is one of my favorite colors. The way gold is made is fascinating

[@carolnorton2551]

The professor is the true "Diamond" in the video.

[@Macho_Fantastico]

Diamonds don't do much for me but you can't help but appreciate their beauty.

[@JagAgemo]

I couldn't care less about dimonds as jewelry, but this is still very interesting : )

[@Tonicwine999]

One of the most fascinating and enjoyable videos I've watched on periodic videos.

[@joepotentier]

It must feel AMAZING to finish polishing off a diamond that you’ve been polishing for 6 months!!

[@benkei7530]

Joe Potentier yup

[@nicke1903]

I'm just a simple Hay seed plowboy in NC,but I find this Channel so interesting.

[@mr.potato6453]

They look so happy :)))

[@bushraduti6780]

oh why I did not find you before professor. what a great speaker you are... much love. thanks for rekindling my love for chemistry....

[@casperborn8474]

I highly doubt the diamond dust ground off is just blown into atmosphere, they probably have a really fine filter of some sort as it can be used to make diamond tools like the grinders they use

[@austindmunday]

I like how this host enunciates his words.

[@Kiromony]

3:40 "and it is cheaper, i could get 2 or 3 of these for the same price" Yeah gimme 5 of those purple diamonds please, i will pay them using a cheque

[@ModMINI]

Would you take that all in coins?

[@dlevi67]

@@ModMINI A few 1933 gold double eagles will do just nicely, thank you.

[@simonmartin4599]

One of the most interesting things I've watched in ages. And I watch a lot...

[@ajodea1191]

We . Are the crystal gems, we always save the day...

[@KawaiiPockyEater]

And if you think we can't, we'll always find a way!

[@randomnessrules4971]

@@KawaiiPockyEater That's why the people of this world believe in... Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 SiO2 CaCO3 and Steven

[@philortiz7519]

Fantastic tour. Outstanding tour guide.

[@artorias6502]

I love Professor Poliakoff. I want to adopt him as an honorary Grandad!

[@dannyp2058]

What a beautiful process and outcome, that's a talent to be proud of.

[@yangnini4936]

3:37 “I think I prefer it to the pink one, and it's cheaper, I can get 2 or 3 of these (purple diamonds) with the same price”

[@DuoTheGodOfDeath]

So many diamonds in the world yet they are still so expensive. Debeers you did a great job.

[@villainapologist7858]

My obsession with steven universe aside, this video gives me a happy feeling in my heart that I wasnt expecting.

[@davidanderson9664]

Love your videos. I particularly enjoyed the plutonium one. British Einstein guy there is very charismatic. Well done! D.A. NYC

[@sean..L]

I actually prefer the rough diamonds to the cut ones.

[@QueenTea_]

Glad im not the only one.

[@The_Salty_Siren]

Same & I’m a lapidist haha

[@Shock_Treatment]

I do as well.

[@OwenPrescott]

yep, cut diamonds just look like cheap plastic decoration

[@zeikjt]

6:07 Surely that dust could be used to make sanding surfaces and such instead of blown away? Like the very discs they're using to cut the diamonds?

[@11thcenturycrusader31]

2:55 so THATS where Uzi got his forehead diamond

[@arthurrobey4945]

Shiney, shiney, fairy gold, I've searched for you amongst these desert sands. Of all the diamonds I have known, Yet none that I can really call my own. My grandpa used to work in the Kimberley hole.

[@dallas2108]

I heard that if you rotate it in just the right way It could turn into a rose quartz

[@lordtachanka9967]

Really? I would enjoy seeing a human turn into rose quartz.

[@kaiser98berlin]

Yes @@lordtachanka9967, I had experienced it with my own two eyes!! It was rosy!

[@vancegilmore245]

Hey, it's Noel Redding!! He played the bass guitar for Jimi Hendrix. They used diamonds in those old record players.

[@fosheimdet]

Am I the only one who prefers the larger unpolished diamonds?

[@harshchaudhary6993]

Yes

[@nemb_22]

No

[@elsadrummond2428]

no.

[@3bydacreekside]

Middle

[@Elrond_Hubbard_1]

Yes

[@alexa_rosevevo1575]

Wow! Pink Diamond is alive!!!😃

[@justsomeone931]

1:26 omg White,Yellow, and Blue Diamond😯

[@HayabusaCrimsonShadow]

Who poofed them!

[@georgebowman1060]

Very cool showing the rough diamond on computer in 3d and how it would look after cutting around the imperfections.

[@Osprey1994]

Bit of a bummer that so much is wasted but now that I know some diamonds flouresce I will keep that in mind.

[@atifmehmoodkhan7056]

So nice of you Sir for giving such a nice information in a very beautiful teaching style ❤

[@davidosantana3483]

Uzi got me going down the “pink diamonds” rabbit hole smh

[@lilpapi3481]

Frrr💀

[@spaceghost8327]

Is the pink diamond in the vid the one he wears?

[@novadeperno5521]

👌🌞 yeah, awesome to show people this. It’s important to understand what goes into the jewelry we all love and wear.

[@Robert-xp4ii]

Amazing! When I was in high school, we were told that diamond polishers made about $150/hour. I could see that but I wonder how much they make today. 😮

[@jadesmith6823]

How lovely would it be to have the professor as your grandfather.. ❤️🙏

[@Big_Computer]

I love how he describe how everything feels and smell, so it is like i could be there :)

[@oooooooooorly]

Fabulous, fabulous video. Really one of the best ones you've done.

[@synicyst9925]

Sir Martyn Poliakoff is my favourite celebrity.

[@KyleTO7]

2:23 Ive been collecting malachite dust from when I do cabochon work, I know it's dangerous but it's what the ancients used for paint. Hopefully one day I'll have the whole rainbow in mineral powder.

[@Megamare1]

1:03 called a “brilliant cut” actually. 58 facets with the table ...aka, the 💎 top

[@LandoCalrissiano]

Is there no use for the diamond dust? Is the dust still diamond or does it decompose due to the heat from grinding?

[@johnathanmcdoe]

Makes you wonder what kind of people decide to become diamond polishers. Seems both highly technical and motorically challenging, not exactly something you stumble into. On one hand I could imagine this to be almost meditative, on the other there's the pressure to deliver a near perfect result and there's no retries. Would have bee interesting to hear some of them talk about this.

[@MorgurEdits]

@Johnathan McDoe It seems like a profession that requires a lot of skill to be paid well, also a lot of experience to get a name for yourself as a trusted polisher to be able to go for the bigger headline making stones.

[@yankeetimeline]

Interesting video. The lapping disc scored so the diamond powder will stay in place. The diamond powder combined with the speed of the cutting lap is the determining factor in how diamond can be cut. The "cone" of the gemstone is called the Pavillion. The tip is the culet.

[@guy3nder529]

11:01 does anyone not use this notification sound? also, the lasers turning diamonds into graphite is really cool als oalso, happy pi day!

[@thegigantico]

as much as i love those stones and the techniques behind polishing them, but seriously, they are so much more beatiful uncut

[@Drobium77]

they are only worth as much for bragging rights about how much was spent. I find cut crystal just as beautiful as diamonds. My favourite are opals though. they are stunning when compared to boring diamonds. (Facet)nating video though :-P

[@chrisp2757]

Opal yes, pretty. Cut crystal comparable to expertly faceted diamond? You obviously don’t know what sparkles are. Go check out some expensive, flawless diamonds. They’re shiny!!!

[@ludvignordquist317]

chris p Well, artificial Moissanite is way cheaper than diamonds and have a higher refractive index.

[@tropingreenhorn]

All gemstones and crystals, when expertly cut or polished, can be beautiful. If you are looking at the crystals and gemstones for their innate beauty and interesting chemical properties they are all really cool, and people I guess don't realize that all gemstones can be created in a laboratory and have the exact same properties. Still natural gemstones are quite cool. Gemcutting is a difficult thing to do well, and requires lots of time and specialized equipment (and electricity to run it) That is where a lot of the price comes from. The raw stones, while valuable, are less valuable then properly cut and polished gemstones.

[@Drobium77]

@@chrisp2757 yes, they're shiny, but they just don't appeal to me. :-) I've seen some big diamonds up close in the crown jewels and they were sparkly and beautiful to look at, but I'd chose a sapphire or opal over a diamond any day :-)

[@dlevi67]

@@tropingreenhorn "people I guess don't realize that all gemstones can be created in a laboratory and have the exact same properties" No they cannot. Some, but not all.

[@sarahs5340]

Wow, very beautiful specimens and the cutting process is amazing. Cutting really brings out the sparkle.

[@Abdega]

They should give some of the diamond dust to the professor so he could do some analytical chemistry on it

[@Mackinstyle]

It's so fascinating that there is no secondary market for the "diamond dust". But I guess when you think about it, the value in the diamond is the configuration. Once you strip the carbon off into small dust particles (presumably still somewhat in a diamond lattice?) their value is reduced to the value of carbon powder, I imagine. Also the idea of taking a big beautiful natural chunk of diamond and cutting away a significant portion of it to make a pretty sparkly shape is probably what most buyers want, but I think the real beauty is diminished.