mineral

Diamond

C (Carbon)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs); Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Hardness: 10 (Mohs)
Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown
Luster: Adamantine

Identified June 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 (Mohs); Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed under extreme pressure and high temperature in the Earth's mantle (140-190 km deep). Transported to the surface by kimberlite and lamproite magma eruptions.

Uses & applications

High-end jewelry, industrial abrasives, cutting tools, precision heat sinks in electronics, and scientific high-pressure research.

Geological facts

Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth. Most natural diamonds are between 1 and 3.5 billion years old.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its extreme hardness, high dispersion (fire), and thermal conductivity. Commonly found in kimberlite pipes or alluvial deposits in Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia.