mineral

Diamond (Cluster Setting)

Carbon (C) - Diamond

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless/White; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Perfect in four directions forming octahedrons; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale)
Color: Colorless/White
Luster: Adamantine

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale); Color: Colorless/White; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Perfect in four directions forming octahedrons; Specific Gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions deep within the Earth's mantle (over 150 km deep), often transported to the surface by kimberlite and lamproite pipes. Ages range from 1 to 3.5 billion years.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry (as seen in this 'cluster' earring setting) and industrial applications for cutting, grinding, and drilling due to extreme hardness.

Geological facts

Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance. The 'cluster' setting shown here uses multiple small diamonds to create the illusion of one larger stone, a common technique in mid-range jewelry.

Field identification & locations

Identification includes testing for high thermal conductivity (diamond tester), checking for sharp facet edges under magnification, and looking for specific inclusions. Commonly found in South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia.