The wire diamond is a model of the structure of diamond. A diamond is made up of carbon atoms. Each carbon atom has bonds to four neighbouring carbon atoms. Each straight length of wire represents such a bond, and the intersections where four of such bonds meet represents a carbon atom. The eight outside faces of the wire diamond are the primary cleavage planes that diamond cutters use in shaping rough diamonds. They cut on other planes as well to form a gem, but since these are the primary planes, the silhouette of the wire diamond has always been the two-dimensional shape associated with the name 'diamond'. The wire diamond is constructed by hanging wire zig-zags, one beneath the other. This way of creating the diamond structure is original and patentable. We have chosen not to patent it, but by publishing a booklet, and this webpage, we prevent others from patenting it, allowing anyone to make it without worrying about patent violation. (Or you could buy one from me).
	Schematic of 286 intersection wire diamond

It is possible to consider the wire diamond as a work of art. Viewing it in different directions provides various attractive patterns. It lives up to the perfection and elegance we expect of a diamond. Another possible use of the wire diamond is as a three-dimensional frame on which to play games, analogous to a two-dimensional game board. It was originally created in response to a request by Walt McKibben (now deceased) to explore possible ways of playing the oriental game Go in three dimensions. It serves this function very well, with points on the interior having four neighbours, corner points having two, and edge/side points having three. This is the same on the two-dimensional board and the wire diamond.

84 intersection Wire Diamond

More information

The Games - some ideas for games to play on the diamond structure.

Diamond Go Program - download and instructions for a windows demo for diamond go.

More pictures - other photographs of the diamond board.

Ordering Information - how to buy a diamond board from me.

Miscellaneous - anything else I can think of...

Topological Go - for if moving to diamond structure just isn't enough generality.

Acknowledgements

I acknowledge the following for ideas and help:

Walt McKibben	realised the possibilities of 3-D Go
Ephraim Segerman	hanging wire diamond idea, D-space, technical/mathematical advice, money
Djilda Segerman	origami 'diamond' stones
Steve Tickle	dot matrix printing to pre-stress paper for folding
Peter Harvey	other games ideas

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Copyright © Henry Segerman 1999
Last updated:4 March 2002