gemstone
Diamond
Carbon (C)
Mohs hardness of 10, Adamantine luster, Cubic crystal system, Color ranges from colorless to yellow/brown/gray, Specific gravity 3.52, Perfect octahedral cleavage.
Identified More gemstone →
Explore Diamond in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 10, Adamantine luster, Cubic crystal system, Color ranges from colorless to yellow/brown/gray, Specific gravity 3.52, Perfect octahedral cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed deep within the Earth's mantle (150-250 km deep) under extreme high pressure and temperature over billions of years, then brought to the surface via volcanic eruptions in kimberlite pipes.
Uses & applications
Primary use in high-end jewelry, with industrial applications in cutting, grinding, and drilling due to its extreme hardness; also used in scientific high-pressure research.
Geological facts
Diamonds are the hardest known natural material. The name comes from the Greek word 'adamas', meaning invincible. Most natural diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its exceptional hardness (cannot be scratched by any other mineral), high thermal conductivity, and brilliant adamantine luster. Common natural sources include Russia, Botswana, and Canada.
More like this
Other gemstone specimens
Diamond and Gold Jewelry
Carbon (Diamond) / Au (Gold)
gemstone
Ammolite
Ammolite (Biogenic Aragonite with trace elements; fossils of Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare)
mineral
Cubic Zirconia (simulant) or Diamond
ZrO2 (Cubic Zirconia) or C (Diamond)
gemstone
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
sedimentary
Cubic Zirconia (or possibly Diamond)
Zirconium dioxide (or Carbon)
gemstone
Faceted Gemstone
Unknown transparent mineral, possibly Diamond (C), Cubic Zirconia (ZrO2), Quartz (SiO2), or Glass
gemstone