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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the mineral. For the gemstone, see Diamond (gemstone). For other uses, including the shape ?, see Diamond (disambiguation).
Diamond
A scattering of round-brilliant cut diamonds shows off the many reflecting facets.
General
Category
Native Minerals
Chemical formula
C
Identification
Molecular Weight
12.01 u
Color
Typically yellow, brown or gray to colorless. Less often in blue, green, black, translucent white, pink, violet, orange, purple and red.[1]
Crystal habit
Octahedral
Crystal system
Isometric-Hexoctahedral (Cubic)
Cleavage
111 (perfect in four directions)
Fracture
Conchoidal - step like
Mohs Scale hardness
10[1]
Luster
Adamantine[1]
Polish luster
Adamantine[1]
Refractive index
2.4175–2.4178
Optical Properties
Singly Refractive[1]
Birefringence
none[1]
Dispersion
.044[1]
Pleochroism
none[1]
Ultraviolet fluorescence
colorless to yellowish stones - inert to strong in long wave, and typically blue. Weaker in short wave.[1]
Absorption spectra
In pale yellow stones a 415.5 nm line is typical. Irradiated and annealed diamonds often show a line around 594 nm when cooled to low temperatures.[1]
Streak
White
Specific gravity
3.52 (+/- .01)[1]
Density
3.5-3.53 g/cm³
Diaphaneity
Transparent to subtransparent to translucent
In mineralogy, diamond is the allotrope of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice. Its hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry. It is the hardest known natural material and the fifth-hardest[citation needed] known material after aggregated diamond nanorods, ultrahard fullerite, and rhenium diboride.
Diamonds are specifically renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities; they make excellent abrasives because they can be scratched only by other diamonds, borazon, ultrahard fullerite, rhenium diboride, or aggregated diamond nanorods, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain their lustre. Approximately 130 million carats (26,000 kg) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion, and about 100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are synthesized annually.[2]
The name diamond derives from the ancient Greek ?d?µa? (adamas) "invincible", "untamed", from ?- (a-), "un-" + daµ?? (damáo), "to overpower, to tame". They have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India and usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history.[3][4] Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns. They are commonly judged by the “four Cs”: carat, clarity, color, and cut.
Roughly 49% of diamonds originate from central and southern Africa, although significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil, and Australia. They are mined from kimberlite and lamproite volcanic pipes, which can bring diamond crystals, originating from deep within the Earth where high pressures and temperatures enable them to form, to the surface. The mining and distribution of natural diamonds are subjects of frequent controversy such as with concerns over the sale of conflict diamonds (aka blood diamonds) by African paramilitary groups.
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