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Mathematician Theorizes a Crystal As Beautiful As A Diamond

Roland Piquepaille writes "Why are diamonds so shiny and beautiful? A Japanese mathematician says it's because of their unique crystal structure and two key properties, called 'maximal symmetry' and 'strong isotropic property.' According to the American Mathematical Society (AMS), he found that out of all the crystals that are possible to construct mathematically, just one shares these two properties with the diamond. So far, his K4 crystal exists only as a mathematical object. And nobody knows if it exists — or if it can be synthesized."

16 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. In other news... by ScaryMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    A Japanese mathematician has been found dead in his laboratory. Police say they suspect the killers to be jewelry-wearing silhouettes.

  2. that's great by circletimessquare · · Score: 5, Funny

    just as the price of diamonds are threatened by artificial sources, questions about funding evil regimes, and anger at diehard debeers monopolies, promising that men can give women what they want for only $10 someday, this mathematician a**hole comes along with a totally new need-to-have impossible-to-obtain subtance that guys must fork over big bucks for

    curse you, mathematics!

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:that's great by Ed+Avis · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's the thought that counts.

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
  3. That's not right by Profane+MuthaFucka · · Score: 5, Funny

    The reason diamonds are so beautiful is that every one of them represents gallons and gallons of blood and broken bones laying in the bottom of a diamond mine. Nothing is quite as shiny as pure human misery.

    --
    Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
    1. Re:That's not right by Detritus · · Score: 2, Funny

      Aye, but have you noticed a decline in the local moose population? It isn't caused by excessive hunting or climate change. The noble Canadian moose is now fodder for the diamond mines of the North. The mine owners discovered that a moose can do the work of a human miner, and isn't subject to labour and safety laws. Thousands of moose are now living a short and miserable existence in Canada's diamond mines. Don't buy moose diamonds!

      --
      Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  4. Re:As beautiful as a diamond... by khellendros1984 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I vote against the creation of the Crystalline Entity. I just want that on record here and now.

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
  5. Just make them.. by RuBLed · · Score: 3, Funny
  6. Re:4 points, in which any two vertices are connect by amRadioHed · · Score: 2, Funny

    No way man, the TV says diamonds are forever.

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  7. Re:Omega by kvezach · · Score: 2, Funny

    Aww, but I prefer Omega 13!

  8. Re:I'm sure... by ultranova · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because of all the dirt surrounding the diamond industry, I will never buy one, and when/if I propose to my girlfriend she's getting a ring with any gem other than a diamond. (And not because I'm some cheap-ass.)

    Why give a gem ring at all ? Give a simple ring, made of gold, with inscription inside, which comes visible and glows red when heated in fire.

    Yes, buy a wedding ring from Mordor Jewelers, Inc., and you'll never have to worry about your significant other abandonging you ! Guaranteed to be less evil than DeBeers.

    Mordor Jewelers Wedding Ring - because she's your precioussss !

    --

    Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  9. Re:I'm sure... by sdpuppy · · Score: 2, Funny

    I guess that emphasizes the point that guys that get a girl using a big diamond as bait usually end up with a bird brain. :-)

  10. Re:Actually, the diamond cartel PR will love it by ari_j · · Score: 2, Funny

    De Beers Executive: We routinely use three kinds of marketing. Liminal, subliminal, and superliminal.
    Lisa Simpson: Superliminal?
    De Beers Executive opens a window and yells: Hey, you! Buy diamonds!

  11. Standard Disclaimer: by DarthVain · · Score: 4, Funny

    Mordor Jewelers is not responsible for ring getting current owner killed, nor will there be any responsibility for alteration of the owner to a gollum like appearance.

    Ring may also bind to other rings in darkness. Also may find other rings and rule over them. Not responsible for types of other rings, nor of the of ruling of the afore mentioned rings.

    Ring is used, and did have prior owner, the "Dark Lord" who of course sits on a "Dark Throne". Mordor Jewelers is in no way associated withe the Dark Lord or his Dark Throne.

    When caring for your ring, it is suggested that you avoid places like Mordor, and melting may occur if dropped into magma in Mt. Doom. Loss of ring in this manner is not the fault of Mordor Jewelers, nor will any reimbursement be merited.

    Mordor is also not at fault if husband starts ignoring you, and you feel like he doesn't even see you anymore. Last but not least, one size fits all.

    Sauron, Saruman, and Smeagol Solicitors

  12. Re:I'm sure... by adavies42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Gold melts at 1337 K Proof that God exists, and is a geek!
    --
    Media that can be recorded and distributed can be recorded and distributed.
    -kfg
  13. Re:I'm sure... by theheadlessrabbit · · Score: 2, Funny

    a ring can be very practical if it provieds you with something like +10% mana or fire resistance.

    --
    -I only code in BASIC.-
  14. Re:I'm sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I don't know... the last girl I dated really wanted a diamond

    She wanted it reverse set really solidly though... so she could etch things with it.
    Now THAT makes perfect sense to me.

    but, she dumped me for a more attractive guy