gemstone

Rough Diamond

C (Native Carbon)

Hardness: 10 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown; Luster: Adamantine to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic (often octahedron or dodecahedron); Cleavage: Perfect octahedral (4 directions); Specific Gravity: 3.52

Hardness: 10 on Mohs scale
Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown
Luster: Adamantine to greasy

Identified July 22, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed at extreme depths (150-200 km) in Earth's mantle under immense pressure and high temperatures. Delivered to the surface via deep-source volcanic eruptions forming kimberlite and lamproite pipes.

Uses & applications

Cut and polished into fine gemstone jewelry. Industrial grade diamonds are used for cutting, drilling, grinding, polishing, and scientific thermal/optical components.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material known on Earth. Despite its extreme hardness, it can easily shatter along its cleavage planes if struck hard from specific angles.

Field identification & locations

Identified by extreme hardness, brilliant adamantine luster, high thermal conductivity, and resistance to chemical etching. Commonly found in Kimberlite pipes and alluvial placer deposits in Africa, Russia, Australia, Canada, and Brazil.