gemstone

Diamond

Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale. Color: colorless, yellow, brown, blue, pink, green. Luster: adamantine. Crystal structure: isometric (cubic). Cleavage: perfect octahedral. Specific gravity: 3.50-3.53.

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

Identified August 2, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, brought to the surface through deep-seated volcanic eruptions of kimberlite and lamproite magmas, ranging from 1 to 3 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Widely used as gemstones in fine jewelry and engagement rings, and extensively in industrial cutting, grinding, and drilling tools due to extreme hardness.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. It is composed entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its supreme hardness, high refractive index, and adamantine luster. Mined extensively in countries such as Russia, Botswana, Canada, and South Africa.