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In this seminar, students will learn about the hardest mineral on earth, diamond. Its unique Crystal structure, Chemical makeup, unusually low Compressibility, and unusually high thermal Conductivity are some of the physical properties that make it extraordinarily useful. We will also learn about geologic formation, diamond mining, the gem industry, and modern replacements. Class materials will include textbook excerpts, the movie Blood Diamond, and a field trip to the Smithsonian Hall of Geology, Gems, and minerals.