mineral
Rough Diamond
Carbon (C)
Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/white, Luster: Adamantine to greasy (rough), Crystal Structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Octahedral (perfect), Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.53
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Physical properties
Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/white, Luster: Adamantine to greasy (rough), Crystal Structure: Isometric-Hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Octahedral (perfect), Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.53
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 crust via kimberlite volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
High-value gemstone for jewelry; industrial uses include cutting, grinding, and drilling due to extreme hardness.
Geological facts
Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance. The specimen in the image appears to be a small rough macro-crystalline diamond showing typical frosty or waxy surface texture common in raw alluvial finds.
Field identification & locations
Identify by extreme hardness (scratches all other minerals), high specific gravity for its size, and 'adamantine' luster. Often found in kimberlite pipes or alluvial stream deposits.
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