mineral

Diamond

Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale; Color: transparent, white, gray, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink; Luster: adamantine; Crystal structure: isometric (cubic); Cleavage: perfect in four directions; Specific gravity: 3.51-3.53

Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale
Color: transparent, white, gray, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink
Luster: adamantine

Identified July 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions in the Earth's mantle, typically at depths of 150-250 kilometers, and brought to the surface by deep-seated volcanic eruptions (kimberlite and lamproite pipes), primarily during the Precambrian to Mesozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry as a gemstone due to its extreme brilliance and fire, and utilized extensively in industry for cutting, grinding, drilling, and polishing tools due to its unmatched hardness.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest known natural material on Earth. The name is derived from the ancient Greek word 'adamas', meaning 'invincible' or 'unbreakable'.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its extreme hardness (scratches all other minerals), adamantine luster, and high thermal conductivity. Commonly found in alluvial deposits, marine terraces, and primary kimberlite pipes in countries like Russia, Botswana, Canada, and South Africa.