gemstone

Faceted diamond

Diamond; crystalline carbon (C)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 10; colorless to near-colorless, adamantine luster, cubic crystal structure, no cleavage visible in a faceted stone. The image alone cannot confirm that it is a natural diamond rather than a simulant or lab-grown stone.

Identified October 11, 2026More gemstone →

Explore Faceted diamond in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Natural diamonds crystallize deep in the mantle under extreme pressure and temperature, commonly over billions of years, then reach the surface in kimberlite or lamproite eruptions. Lab-grown diamonds are produced by high-pressure/high-temperature or chemical-vapor-deposition methods.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry and, owing to exceptional hardness, in cutting, grinding, and drilling tools.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring mineral, though it can chip along its perfect octahedral cleavage planes.

Field identification & locations

A round brilliant cut and strong sparkle are visible, but reliable identification requires gemological testing of thermal/electrical conductivity and optical properties. Major sources include Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.