mineral

Diamond (in jewelry)

Carbon (C)

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: Perfect octahedral, Specific Gravity: 3.52

Identified April 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 10 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless to faint yellow/brown, Luster: Adamantine, Crystal Structure: Cubic, Cleavage: Perfect octahedral, Specific Gravity: 3.52

Formation & geological history

Formed under extreme pressure and temperature conditions deep in Earth's mantle, transported to the surface by kimberlite and lamproite volcanic eruptions. Most are 1-3.5 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Used in high-end jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets), as industrial abrasives for cutting and drilling, and in high-tech optical or thermal applications.

Geological facts

Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance. The famous 'Tennis Bracelet' name for this style of jewelry originated from Chris Evert losing her diamond bracelet during the 1987 US Open.

Field identification & locations

Identify by extreme hardness (scratches all other minerals), high refractive index (brilliance), and thermal conductivity. Found in primary deposits in kimberlite pipes or secondary alluvial deposits in riverbeds.