gemstone

Diamond

Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: Octahedral, Specific Gravity: 3.52

Identified July 10, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: Octahedral, Specific Gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed deep within the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and temperature exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. Transported to the surface by deep-origin volcanic eruptions called kimberlites. Age typically range from 1 to 3.5 billion years.

Uses & applications

Primary use in high-end jewelry and intensive industrial applications such as cutting, drilling, and grinding tools due to its extreme hardness.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. Rare 'fancy' colors include blue, green, and pink which are caused by trace elements or structural defects during formation.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its high refractive index and hardness. In the field, it is typically found in kimberlite pipes or secondary alluvial deposits such as riverbeds and beach sands.