| A diamond is the hardest known mineral that | | | | - Color |
| occurs naturally. It is basically an allotrope of | | | | Diamonds occur in different colors and the wide |
| carbon in which several carbon atoms are bonded | | | | range of color includes violet, pink, blue, green, |
| tetrahedrally and it crystallizes into the | | | | orange, translucent white. However, brown and |
| face-centered cubic diamond lattice structure. | | | | yellow are the most common colors. |
| Each carbon atom has four other carbon atoms | | | | - Refractive Index |
| joined to it by covalent bonds and so, diamond | | | | Diamonds have a high refractive index and |
| has a very strong 3D shape. This arrangement | | | | diamonds offer high optical dispersion. |
| makes it hardest known mineral and hence, | | | | Uses - |
| suitable for a number of applications. Diamonds | | | | - The high optical dispersion of diamond makes it |
| offer high dispersion of light and this makes them | | | | very suitable for jewelry industry. Diamond is |
| very suitable for a number of industrial applications | | | | usually used in engagement rings, bracelets, |
| and for jewelry as well. Regular diamonds are put | | | | earring and necklaces and also, in many other |
| under specific pressure and temperature | | | | forms. The crystalline structure of the diamond |
| conditions to produce Type-II diamonds. | | | | allows it to be cut in different shapes and this also |
| Properties of diamonds - | | | | makes it very suitable for jewelry industry as it is |
| - Electrical Conductivity | | | | not difficult to create new designs. |
| Some diamonds are natural semiconductors | | | | - It is the hardest known substance and this |
| whereas some are perfect insulators. However, | | | | makes it very suitable for cutting purpose. It is |
| substantial electrical conductivity has also been | | | | effectively used for cutting glasses, tiles and |
| observed for some diamonds. | | | | other materials. |
| - Toughness | | | | - Billions of dollars are traded annually in the |
| Diamond is a tough object i.e. it offers good | | | | diamond industry. A lot of people which include |
| resistance to breakage when forces are applied | | | | jewelers, diamond miners, designers, buyers and |
| to it. Diamond's toughness is good when | | | | others base their livelihood on this trade. So, a |
| compared to other gemstones but it is poor | | | | number of people depend on diamond for their |
| when compared to engineering materials. | | | | livelihood. |
| - Thermal Conductivity | | | | - Diamond trade is also responsible for progress |
| Diamonds offer high thermal conductivity. The | | | | and development of some countries as |
| strong covalent bonding within the crystal results | | | | - Diamonds are used in semiconductor coatings |
| in an easy conduction of heat and the | | | | for computer processors and for the microchips. |
| conductivity further increases at lower | | | | - Diamonds are used in laser components for |
| temperatures. | | | | precise optical equipments. |