THE largest model of a diamond in the world created by the people of Uttoxeter is one step closer to becoming a record holder after a visit from independent witnesses.
The model, containing 35,990 transparent balls each representing an atom of carbon, has stood proudly in Uttoxeter Market Place since its grand unveiling as part of the town’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The creation was the brainchild of Dr Graeme Jones, of Keele University, and schools from across the area and residents helped to create it.
Dr Sandie Dann, a chemist and crystallographer from the University of Loughborough, and Chris Pettitt, from Dove Accounts, in Uttoxeter, inspected the Jubilee Diamond last week after they agreed to act as independent witnesses who would verify the dimensions of the model so these could be sent to the Guinness World Records to claim the record for the ‘largest diamond molecule structure model’.
The witnesses had to dodge frequent showers as they measured each edge of the diamond at 1,848mm long and the apex length (from the top to the bottom) was 2,630mm.
They also verified the weight of the model by measuring the mass of the individual atoms and bonds giving the model a total weight of 254kg, the equivalent of two-and a-half large men.
Mr Pettitt counted the atoms on the outside of the model and crunched the numbers in a spread sheet and calculated that the model contained 35,990 atoms.
He said: “It looks spot on to me.” Dr Dann said: “It looks absolutely splendid, the whole town should be proud of this achievement.
“I have checked the arrangement of the atoms in the model and I can confirm that it is correct for a diamond structure.” Project organiser Dr Jones is now in the process of sending the witness statements along with an archive of press material and photographs of the model to the Guinness World Records.
He said: “All of the photos can be seen on Facebook site: www.facebook.com/uttoxeterjubileediamond.
“Guinness also required us to submit a film so a big thanks goes to local filmmaker Joseph Howes who captured the unveiling and put it up on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ifenj5XR-0&feature= plcp “I have had people coming up to me in the street saying how much they like the model and wanting to know what is going to happen to it. I always reply Uttoxeter built it and Uttoxeter will keep it.
“It is fantastic that so many people like it and all those who helped put the model together should be very proud of themselves.” Earlier in the week Uttoxeter Town Council decided to ask the borough and county councils for permission to keep the model on the Market Place over the summer.
The diamond was unveiled by Sarah Elsom, High Sherriff of Staffordshire, as a crowd braved the wet weather to witness the results of all their hard work as jubilee celebrations were held across Uttoxeter.
