About Diamond

Shop diamond HERE

Keep reading to discover more about diamond

Mineralogy and geology*
Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties***
Common Associations

Mineralogy and Geology of Diamond

Mineral formula: C (pure carbon)

Group: a native element (pure carbon)

Crystal system: isometric

Crystal habit: Octahedral crystals, also dodecahedrons, cubes, tetrahedral. Often has curved faces.

Cleavage: Perfect octahedral {111}

Fracture: irregular / uneven

Color: colorless, yellowish to yellow, brown, black, blue, green or red, pink, champagne-tan, cognac-brown, lilac (very rare

Luster: adamantine (means “diamond-like”), greasy

Diaphaneity: transparent, translucent, or opaque

Moh’s scale hardness: 10

Streak: none (harder than streak plate)

Specific gravity: 3.5 – 3.53

Geological occurrence: Diamonds form deep in the mantle (> 95 km beneath Earth’s surface) and occur at the surface only when they are brought rapidly to Earth’s surface by volcanic or other tectonic processes.

Name: From Greek "adamas", 'invincible'. First known use by Manlius (A.D. 16) and Pliny (A.D. 100).

Diamond is the hardest mineral on earth and the hardest natural substance known. Each carbon atom links to four equidistant neighboring carbon atoms, thus creating a close-knit, dense, strongly bonded structure, the source of its hardness and many other properties. The hardness and adamantine luster (diamond-like sparkle) of diamonds have made it a gemstone of choice, along with its rarity and high price. In addition to clear diamond, natural diamond also occurs in other colors like orange and violet (highly valuable) or gray-brown and less translucent (industrial diamonds). In addition to its crystalline form, diamond occurs as bort (or boart), an irregular or granular black diamond; and carbonado, microcrystalline masses.

Industrial diamonds are those that are not of gem quality; some estimate that about 90% of all mined diamonds are of industrial quality.

Synthetic diamonds were first created in the early 1950’s by H Tracey Hall and made economically viable through General Electric. Synthetic diamonds help bridge the supply gap for the demand of industrial (and lower-price gemmy) diamonds.

Geological Occurrence

Natural diamonds form in Earth’s mantle, about 150-250 km (93-155 miles) depth beneath Earth’s surface. Most formed about 1 billion to 3.5 billion years ago as carbon-rich materials reacted to form crystals of pure carbon. Diamonds occur on Earth’s surface (shallow enough to mine) because they were carried towards the surface by volcanic eruptions and producing igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites. Because of their hardness, diamonds are extremely resistant to erosion, and can be found in some sediments and sedimentary rocks. Diamond has also been found in meteorites.

Diamonds are mined in every continent except Antarctica. Major producers include Canada, Russia, Australia, Botswana, Angola, South Africa, and Namibia. Canada may be the world’s largest producer of industrial diamonds.

In the United States only two areas have produced diamonds

Crater of Diamonds Mine in Arkansas, now operated by the state of Arkansas on a pay-to-dig basis
Kelsey Lake Diamond Mine near Fort Collins, Colorado. This mine is now closed.

Many other areas of the US have geology consistent with the potential occurrence of diamonds, but have not been commercially exploited. Click HERE to read more.

Diamonds in New Mexico?

New Mexico has kimberlites, but no diamonds have yet been found. Read more about New Mexico kimberlites HERE.

So-called “Pecos Valley Diamonds” are actually quartz.

Diamond Mining History

The world’s love of diamonds had its start in India perhaps as early as 800 BC. Diamonds were gathered from the country’s rivers and streams, such as the Golconda field. Indian diamond trade with Europe was well established by the 1400s. As the supply of Indian diamonds declined due to resource depletion, Brazil emerged with the European discovery of alluvial diamonds there in the 1700s. In the late 1800s, coincident with the emergency of a wealthy “merchant” class (as the nobility declined), the discovery of the immense South African diamond deposits fueled demand for diamond jewelry.

After diamonds were discovered in 1866 in Kimberley, South Africa, industrialization of the mining process began in 1888 when entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes established the De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. By 1900, De Beers controlled about 90% of the world production of rough diamonds. Even though De Beers carefully controlled supply and demand, the discovery of diamond deposits elsewhere in the world, coupled with the inevitable depletion of the South African diamond resources, had drastically altered the face of modern-day diamond production.

To find out more about present-day mining of diamonds click HERE for a summary from mindat.org.

Uses of Diamonds

Jewelry: gemstone grade natural diamonds, and synthetic diamonds.

Abrasives: industrial diamonds are mostly used as abrasives; small diamond fragments embedded in saw blades, drill bits, and grinding wheels for cutting and polishing hard materials. Powdered diamond is made into a paste and used for fine polishing and grinding. Diamonds were traditionally used for cutting other diamonds; now lasers are often used.

Diamond windows: a thin plate of diamond makes a great “window” for openings in lasers and other high-tech equipment, where heat- and abrasion-resistance, transparency and durability are critical.

Diamond speaker domes: high quality audio speakers use diamond to lower distortion that reduces sound quality.

Diamond heat sinks: in high-performance microelectronics heat build-up can affect performance. Diamond has the highest thermal conductivity of any material, so it can be used to conduct heat away from sensitive parts.

Diamond micro-bearings: devices such as mechanical watches have moving parts that will wear and degrade over time. Hard, stiff materials such as diamonds that resist abrasion are used to extend the lifetime of the device

Diamond Trivia

Some famous diamonds - there are many! The Cullinan diamond is reputed to be the largest gem quality diamond ever found (3106 carats). The Hope Diamond, perhaps the single most famous cut diamond in the world, with a deep blue color, is 45.52 carats and probably from India. The Millenium Star diamond was 777 carats rough then cut and polished into a 203 carat gemstone, considered by some to be the most beautiful diamond in the world.

Most natural diamonds are 1 billion to 3.5 billion years old!
The US annually consumes over 40% of produced gem quality diamonds as jewelry.
Given the appropriate climate, occurrence of the plant Pandanus candelabrum can indicate the presence of kimberlite-derived soils, thus providing a guide for diamond prospecting. Click HERE to find out more.
A few famous diamonds: The Cullinan diamond is reputed to be the largest gem quality diamond ever found (3106 carats). The Hope Diamond, perhaps the single most famous cut diamond in the world, with a deep blue color, is 45.52 carats and probably from India. The Millenium Star diamond was 777 carats rough then cut and polished into a 203 carat gemstone, considered by some to be the most beautiful diamond in the world.
Diamonds in engagement rings was popularized by a De Beers Diamond Company marketing campaign in the early 20^th century. Wearing an engagement ring on the third finger of the left hand dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that the ‘vein of love’ linked the heart and the ring finger.
A diamond touching each corner of a house or garden offers protection from lightning and storms.
It is said that Alexander the Great discovered the Valley of Diamonds on one of his campaigns in India. The valley was guarded by countless snakes, so Alexander devised a plan to get through them by using mirrors to frighten the snakes away with their own reflection.
It is believed by many that the famous Hope diamond caused the Titanic to sink as a result of its presence aboard the ship.

Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties***

In modern times, diamonds have come to symbolize love and fidelity through their association with wedding and engagement rings. The Renaissance Period in Europe was the first time when diamonds were used as engagement rings among the very wealthy, in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring to commemorate their engagement. Giving a diamond as an engagement ring become a cultural standard after the De Beers diamond company began a marketing campaign in the early 20^th century.

Diamond has long been a symbol of purity and of wealth. In general:

Diamond is a stone of manifestation, attracting abundance.
Diamond amplifies energy of anything it comes into contact with (so it’s good to use it with conscious intention)
Diamond enhances truthfulness, fearlessness and fortitude, clearing mental and emotional pain
Diamond provides higher vibrational clarity.
Diamond cleanses anything obscuring inner light.

Melody** calls diamond the “king of the crystals,” especially associated with the Sun. Wearing diamonds was thought to bring strength and endurance, as well as confidence and courage. Diamond’s high vibration enhances spiritual awareness. In healings it works both to clear blockages and shadow, and to refill the resulting void with light.

Feng Shui

Feng shui is the art of placement of objects in home and outdoor spaces. For a good general review of the use of diamond in feng shui, click HERE.

Like quartz, diamond energizes and amplifies energy. Diamonds are also associated with manifestation of wealth. The energizing and clarifying energy of diamond, when placed with conscious intention, are particularly useful in two areas of homes and rooms:

The Wealth area, associated material and other types of abundance, located in the far left corner of your space when standing in the front entrance of home (or room).

The Tai Qi area, associated with overall well-being, located in the center of your home or room. Placed in this area with conscious intent, the energies of all areas benefit.

Wearing Diamond

Diamond is usually placed on or close to the body as jewelry. Of course, if you happen to have a stray natural diamond (industrial or synthetic can work as well as gemmy ones) you can carry it in your pocket to enhance clarity and abundance. All relate to the crown chakra, thus elevating your vibrational energy.

Diamond crowns and tiaras - the image above is the Imperial Russian crown, bursting with diamond energy that should have resulted in great clarity and spiritual enlightenment for Russian kings and queens. The same is true for the crown jewelry of many monarchs, and tiaras in general.
Diamond earrings– close to the head, diamond in earrings assists mental/emotional clarity and focus
Diamond necklaces and pendants– when these are short and fit close to the throat, they aid clarity in communication. When worn longer, closer to the heart, they assist with clearing and activating heart energy.
Diamond Rings – diamond can help to activate the energy centers of the hands (the same ones activated in reiki), and overall enhance sensitivity of the hands and fingers.

Diamond for Grids and Rituals

Diamonds, or diamond jewelry, can be used in crystal grids, altars, and for rituals. You can substitute diamond for quartz. Heirloom diamond jewelry inherited or gifted from a beloved family member works well as the focus for a grid or ritual on ancestral energy.

Common Associations for Diamond