mineral
Diamond
Carbon (C)
Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale, Color: Transparent, white, yellow, brown, blue, green, or pink, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic), Cleavage: Perfect octahedral, Specific Gravity: 3.50-3.53
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Physical properties
Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale, Color: Transparent, white, yellow, brown, blue, green, or pink, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic), Cleavage: Perfect octahedral, Specific Gravity: 3.50-3.53
Formation & geological history
Formed under high pressure and temperature conditions in the Earth's mantle, typically at depths of 150 to 250 kilometers, and brought to the surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions (kimberlite or lamproite pipes) between 1 billion and 3 billion years ago.
Uses & applications
Widely used in high-end jewelry as a gemstone due to its brilliance and extreme hardness, as well as in industrial applications such as cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing tools.
Geological facts
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, yet it is made entirely of carbon, the same element that makes up graphite and coal.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its extreme hardness (scratches all other minerals), high refractive index resulting in fiery dispersion, and adamantine luster. Common sources include Russia, Botswana, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
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