mineral

Diamond

Native Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless (to yellow/brown in some natural states), Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral (cubic), Cleavage: Perfect in four directions (octahedral), Specific Gravity: 3.52

Identified April 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed deep within the Earth's mantle (150-250 km deep) under extreme high pressure and temperature. They are brought to the surface through deep-source volcanic eruptions known as kimberlites. Most diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry. Industrial applications include cutting, grinding, and drilling tools due to extreme hardness. Also used in high-pressure scientific research and specialized heat-conducting electronics.

Geological facts

Diamonds are the hardest known natural material. The word 'diamond' comes from the Greek word 'adamas', meaning invincible. They are the birthstone for April and have been prized as gemstones for over 3,000 years, beginning in India.

Field identification & locations

Identification in the field is difficult as they look like common quartz to the untrained eye; look for grease-like surface luster and high specific gravity. Commonly found in South Africa, Russia, Botswana, Canada, and Australia. Note: Synthetic stones like Cubic Zirconia or Moissanite can look identical to natural diamonds.