mineral
Rough Diamond
Natural Diamond (Carbon, C)
Hardness: 10 Mohs; Color: Brownish-yellow (champagne); Luster: Adamantine to greasy (rough); Crystal system: Isometric/Cubic (often dodecahedral or octahedral forms); Specific gravity: 3.52
- Hardness
- 10 Mohs
- Color
- Brownish-yellow (champagne)
- Luster
- Adamantine to greasy (rough)
Identified More mineral →
Explore Rough Diamond in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 10 Mohs; Color: Brownish-yellow (champagne); Luster: Adamantine to greasy (rough); Crystal system: Isometric/Cubic (often dodecahedral or octahedral forms); Specific gravity: 3.52
Formation & geological history
Formed under extreme pressure and temperature at depths of 140-190 kilometers in the Earth's mantle over 1 to 3 billion years ago; transported to the surface by kimberlite pipe volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
Industrial abrasives, cutting tools, high-end jewelry (when faceted), and investment/specimen collecting.
Geological facts
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. While many think of them as clear, most natural diamonds have some tint of yellow or brown due to nitrogen impurities.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by any other mineral) and its specific gravity. Commonly found in alluvial deposits or within kimberlite pipes in regions like South Africa, Russia, and Canada.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic