mineral

Diamond (in a gold ring)

Diamond (pure carbon, C)

Hardness: 10 Mohs scale; Color: typically colorless (can be yellow, brown, blue); Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral; Specific gravity: 3.51

Hardness: 10 Mohs scale
Color: typically colorless (can be yellow, brown, blue)
Luster: Adamantine

Identified May 23, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 10 Mohs scale; Color: typically colorless (can be yellow, brown, blue); Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral; Specific gravity: 3.51

Formation & geological history

Formed deep within the Earth's mantle under high pressure and temperature, then brought to the surface by kimberlite eruptions. Ages range from 1 to 3.5 billion years.

Uses & applications

Primary use in high-end jewelry and industrial cutting/drilling tools due to extreme hardness.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. It has the highest thermal conductivity of any bulk material.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its brilliance, hardness, and ability to scratch any other material. Commonly found in kimberlite pipes or alluvial deposits in Africa, Russia, and Canada.