mineral

Rough Diamond

Diamond (pure Carbon, C)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/white, Luster: Adamantine to greasy, Crystal structure: Isometric (Cubic), Cleavage: Perfect octahedral, Specific gravity: 3.52

Identified April 16, 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: Colorless to faint yellow/white, Luster: Adamantine to greasy, Crystal structure: Isometric (Cubic), Cleavage: Perfect octahedral, Specific gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed under extreme high pressure and temperature in the Earth's mantle, approximately 150-200 kilometers deep. Transported to the surface by deep-origin volcanic eruptions known as kimberlite or lamproite pipes. Most are between 1 to 3 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Used in high-end jewelry (gemstones) and industrial applications such as cutting tools, abrasives, and drilling bits due to its unparalleled hardness.

Geological facts

Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance. The word 'diamond' comes from the Greek 'adamas', meaning unbreakable. They are the only gemstone made of a single element: Carbon.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its characteristic octahedron shape (if crystalline), its greasy surface luster when unpolished, and its ability to scratch any other mineral. Commonly found in secondary alluvial deposits (rivers) or primary kimberlite deposits in regions like South Africa, Russia, and Canada.