mineral

Diamond

Cubic carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 Mohs; Color: Colorless (as shown), yellow, brown, or pink; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal Structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Hardness: 10 Mohs
Color: Colorless (as shown), yellow, brown, or pink
Luster: Adamantine

Identified March 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 Mohs; Color: Colorless (as shown), yellow, brown, or pink; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal Structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed under high temperature and pressure conditions at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers in the Earth's mantle over periods of 1 billion to 3.3 billion years. They are brought to the surface by kimberlite and lamproite pipes.

Uses & applications

Primary use in fine jewelry as gemstones; industrial uses include cutting, drilling, and grinding tools due to extreme hardness; also used in thermal heat sinks and high-pressure experiments.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. Most diamonds are billions of years old, often exceeding the age of the Earth's surface rocks. The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous specimens due to its scale and blue color.

Field identification & locations

Identification includes testing for high thermal conductivity, checking for a high refractive index (brilliance), and assessing hardness against other minerals. Commonly found in South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia.