pete, Carbon-12 is the most abundant isotope of carbon, having six protons and six neutrons in its nucleus, and is stable. It has existed for billions of years, hence the existence of diamonds, graphite and other forms. Carbon-14 is also natural, with an extra 2 neutrons, but is formed by the effect of cosmic rays in the upper atmosphere, and is not stable. It is constantly replenished. It decays into nitrogen again, with half the carbon doing so in 5700 years. It behaves chemically in the same way as carbon-12, having the same number of electrons, and is absorbed by living things, but this absorption stops at death, hence its use in dating. It is irrelevant in non-living things such as naturally occurring diamond, and in very old things because of its relatively short half life.

Do you read non-creationist sites about these things?

I read up about the trilobite, which has apparently not been seen independently in situ, and was reported by someone with a similar reputation in some circles to that of Charles Dawson, whose efforts you cite in opposition to evolution.

Penny