Re: What happens at the edge of the carbon

Excellent question! The answer is very simple.

In diamond (and graphite) you have a theoretically infinite network of carbon
atoms. In practice, of course, it isn't infinite and you have "dangling bonds"
at the edges. These bonds normally pick up hydrogen (or hydroxyl, "OH") and
so 

    "When you touch a diamond, you're not touching carbon. You're touching a
     monatomic layer of hydrogen formed at its surface."

                                      - Richard Smalley
                                        interviewed in Nova program
                                        "Race to Catch a Buckyball"

yer friendly MadSci admin,
Dan Berger