mineral

Diamond

Native Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale); Color: Typically colorless but can be yellow, brown, or blue; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: Perfect in four directions (octahedral); Specific Gravity: 3.52

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

Identified February 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed at high temperatures and pressures within the Earth's mantle (140-190 km deep). Transported to the surface via volcanic eruptions in kimberlite or lamproite pipes. Most are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in high-end jewelry and for industrial applications such as cutting, drilling, and grinding tools due to extreme hardness. Also used in high-pressure scientific experiments.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. Famous specimens include the Cullinan and the Hope Diamond. It is the only gemstone made of a single element (carbon).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by any other mineral) and its high refractive index (brilliance). Found in alluvial deposits or deep-source igneous pipes. Rare and highly sought by collectors and investors.