mineral

Diamond

Diamond (C)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless (varieties from yellow to blue), Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Isometric-hexoctahedral, Cleavage: Perfect in four directions, Specific gravity: 3.52

Identified May 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in the Earth's mantle, typically at depths of 150-250 kilometers, over billions of years. Transported to the surface by kimberlite and lamproite magmas.

Uses & applications

Dominant use in jewelry, but also critical in industrial applications for cutting, grinding, and drilling due to extreme hardness. Increasingly used in high-tech electronics and optics.

Geological facts

Diamond is the hardest known natural material. Most diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old. Famous specimens include the Cullinan and the Hope Diamond.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its extreme hardness, greasy luster on uncut surfaces, and occurrence in kimberlite pipes or alluvial deposits. Common locations: Russia, Botswana, Canada, and South Africa.