Carbon makes the world go round. That’s barely a metaphor. When iron or copper oxidzes nothing much happens except becoming a little uglier or prettier (depending on your point of view). When carbon oxidizes the element seems to disappear into thin air. Very hot air (ok, fire). Of course, we’re describing the process of burning and all that “thin air” is actually none other than the notorious carbon dioxide which is trapping the heat that is responsible for climate change. Whether it’s in the form of mined coal, charcoal for cooking or the vast deposits of crude oil that are sucked out of deep deposits it is still just this simple atom and the exothermic reaction it produces that is employed to provide the energy we need for our daily activities.

Here’s an ounce-sized puck of this marvel of industry in the form of very pure carbon; the first time we think it has been presented as a ‘bullion’ product. Well, unless you want to count diamonds.