A diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is most renowned for its physical qualities which originate from the strong covalent bonding between its atoms. Diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material. These properties contribute to the major usage of diamond in the cutting and polishing tool industry.

Most natural diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 87 to 120 miles in the Earth mantle. Carbon containing minerals provide the source and the growth occurs over billions of years. Diamonds are then brought up close to the Earths' surface by volcanic eruptions of magma which cool into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites.

Diamonds can also be produced synthetically in a high-pressure high-temperature process which simulates the conditions in the Earth mantle. Special gemological techniques have been developed to distinguish natural and synthetic diamond apart.

Diamond also has remarkable optical characteristics due to its extremely rigid lattice, very few types of impurities are able to contaminate it. Combined with it's transparency, this results in the clear, colorless appearance of most natural diamonds. Diamond also has a relatively high ability to disperse light of different colors, which results in its characteristic luster. The combination of these properties along with some very effective marketing stratagies have made diamonds thee most popular of all the gemstones.

 

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