gemstone
Diamond (or Simulant)
Carbon (C) or Cubic Zirconia (ZrO2)
Hardness 10 (diamond) or 8-8.5 (CZ). Colorless or pale yellow. Adamantine luster. Isometric crystal system. Conchoidal fracture. High dispersion (fire).
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Physical properties
Hardness 10 (diamond) or 8-8.5 (CZ). Colorless or pale yellow. Adamantine luster. Isometric crystal system. Conchoidal fracture. High dispersion (fire).
Formation & geological history
Natural diamonds form deep in the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and temperature over billions of years. Simulants like CZ are lab-grown.
Uses & applications
Jewelry, industrial abrasives, precision cutting tools, and investment collecting.
Geological facts
Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. Most natural diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old.
Field identification & locations
Identify by testing thermal conductivity, looking for high refractive index/fire, and checking for wear on facet edges under magnification. Real diamonds rarely show surface scratches.
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