gemstone
Diamond (in Jewelry Setting)
Carbon (C)
Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Perfect octahedral.
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Physical properties
Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Perfect octahedral.
Formation & geological history
Formed deep within the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and high temperatures, usually greater than 150 km deep, and brought to the surface by kimberlite pipe volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
Primary use in fine jewelry and ornamental accessories; also used for industrial cutting and grinding tools due to its extreme hardness.
Geological facts
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man. Most natural diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old.
Field identification & locations
Identify by using a diamond tester for thermal conductivity; observe high refractive index (brilliance) and 'fire' (dispersion). Check for inclusions under 10x magnification.
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