mineral

Diamond (in a jewelry setting)

Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 Mohs scale; Color: Colorless (in this specimen); Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific gravity: 3.51

Hardness: 10 Mohs scale
Color: Colorless (in this specimen)
Luster: Adamantine

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 Mohs scale; Color: Colorless (in this specimen); Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral; Cleavage: Perfect octahedral; Specific gravity: 3.51

Formation & geological history

Formed under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in the Earth's mantle, approximately 100 miles below the surface, and brought to the surface by kimberlite eruptions. Most are 1 to 3.5 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry for its brilliance and hardness; also used in industrial applications for cutting, grinding, and drilling tools.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. It is a polymorphic form of carbon, sharing the same chemistry as graphite but with a different atomic arrangement.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches all other minerals), high refractive index, and thermal conductivity. Commonly found in kimberlite pipes or secondary alluvial deposits.