gemstone

Rough Diamond

Diamond (C - Carbon)

Hardness: 10 on Mohs scale (hardest known natural substance). Color: Translucent to colorlessly white with greasy to adamantine luster. Crystal Structure: Cubic/Isometric (frequently octahedral or dodecahedral habits). Specific Gravity: 3.52.

Hardness: 10 on Mohs scale (hardest known natural substance)

Identified July 26, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed under extreme pressure and temperature conditions deep within Earth's mantle (100-150 miles down) billions of years ago, brought to the surface through deep-origin volcanic eruptions (kimberlite and lamproite pipes).

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry when faceted, and in high-tech industrial applications including cutting tools, abrasives, drill bits, thermal conductors, and specialized optics.

Geological facts

Diamond is composed of pure elemental carbon arranged in a dense tetrahedral crystal lattice. It is the most efficient natural thermal conductor, conducting heat four times better than copper.

Field identification & locations

Field identification relies on extreme hardness (scratches all other minerals), distinctive high adamantine to greasy luster, trigons (triangular growth markings) on crystal faces, and high thermal conductivity. Primary natural sources include Russia, Botswana, Canada, Angola, and South Africa.