mineral
Diamond
Diamond (C)
Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless (varieties from yellow to blue), Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Perfect in four directions, Specific gravity: 3.52
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Physical properties
Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless (varieties from yellow to blue), Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Perfect in four directions, Specific gravity: 3.52
Formation & geological history
Formed under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in the Earth's mantle, typically at depths of 150-250 kilometers, over billions of years. Transported to the surface by kimberlite and lamproite magmas.
Uses & applications
Dominant use in jewelry, but also critical in industrial applications for cutting, grinding, and drilling due to extreme hardness. Increasingly used in high-tech electronics and optics.
Geological facts
Diamond is the hardest known natural material. Most diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old. Famous specimens include the Cullinan and the Hope Diamond.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness, greasy luster on uncut surfaces, and occurrence in kimberlite pipes or alluvial deposits. Common locations: Russia, Botswana, Canada, and South Africa.
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