Native carbon crystallized under extreme pressure in the Earth mantle. Hardest natural material 10 on Mohs scale . Color: Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, pink, green. Luster: Adamantine. Streak: Colorless. Cleavage: Perfect octahedral. Hardness: 10. Transparency: Transparent to translucent. Crystal system: Isometric Cubic. Chemical formula: C. Specific gravity: 3.52. Formation: Forms at depths 150 km in the Earth mantle at extreme pressures and temperatures; brought to surface by kimberlite eruptions. Common geological settings: Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Australia; found in kimberlite pipes and alluvial deposits. Common look-alikes and related entries: Zircon, Quartz, Cubic Zirconia.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:07.965412+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Native carbon crystallized under extreme pressure in the Earth mantle. Hardest natural material 10 on Mohs scale .
How can you identify Diamond?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, pink, green; lustre: Adamantine; streak: Colorless; Mohs hardness: 10; cleavage: Perfect octahedral; crystal system: Isometric Cubic; transparency: Transparent to translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Diamond form?
Forms at depths 150 km in the Earth mantle at extreme pressures and temperatures; brought to surface by kimberlite eruptions.
Where is Diamond commonly found?
Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Australia; found in kimberlite pipes and alluvial deposits.
What is Diamond commonly confused with?
Diamond may be confused with Zircon, Quartz, Cubic Zirconia. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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