mineral

Diamond

Natural Diamond (Carbon, C)

Hardness: 10 Mohs; Color: Colorless (in this image); Luster: Adamantine; Crystal Structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Hardness: 10 Mohs
Color: Colorless (in this image)
Luster: Adamantine

Identified June 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 Mohs; Color: Colorless (in this image); Luster: Adamantine; Crystal Structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in the Earth's mantle, approximately 100 miles underground, and transported to the surface by kimberlite or lamproite volcanic eruptions. Most are 1 to 3.5 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Primary use in jewelry as gemstones; industrial uses include cutting, drilling, and grinding tools due to extreme hardness.

Geological facts

Diamonds are the hardest known natural material. They are composed of a single element: carbon. The word diamond comes from the Greek 'adamas', meaning unbreakable.

Field identification & locations

Identified by hardness, thermal conductivity, and refractive index. Commonly found in kimberlite pipes or secondary alluvial deposits in locations like Russia, Botswana, and Canada.