Botswana
Major source of gem-quality stones from kimberlite pipes.
Precious Gems gemstone profile
Diamond
The Hardest Natural Substance on Earth
The hardest known natural material on Earth, composed of pure carbon. Evaluated by the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. The ultimate symbol of endurance and eternal love.
Gemological Properties
- Chemical composition
- Carbon (C)
- Crystal system
- Cubic (isometric)
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 10
- Color range
- Colorless to fancy yellow, pink, blue, green, red
- Primary sources
- Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Australia
- Luster / transparency
- Adamantine / Transparent
Science, structure & identification
A practical field note on what Diamond is made of, how it forms, how light behaves inside it, and what professionals look for when identifying it.
Browse the plain-language gemstone glossary or learn how to read a lab report.
- Mineral family
- Native element · carbon polymorph
- Formation
- Most natural diamonds crystallize 140–200 km below the surface under extreme pressure and heat, then reach the crust in volcanic kimberlite or lamproite pipes.
- Optical behavior
- High refractive index (2.417) and strong dispersion produce brilliance and fire. Some diamonds fluoresce blue, yellow, or another color under long-wave UV.
- Treatments & enhancements
- Common treatments include HPHT color modification, irradiation, annealing, fracture filling, and laser drilling. A laboratory report should disclose treatments and natural versus laboratory-grown origin.
- Identification notes
- A loupe alone cannot reliably separate natural, laboratory-grown, and treated diamonds. Spectroscopy, fluorescence, electrical conductivity, and professional laboratory testing are used together.
- Care & durability
- Very hard does not mean indestructible: cleavage planes can chip from a sharp impact. Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush; avoid ultrasonic cleaning for fracture-filled stones.
Where Diamond is found
Representative source regions, not a map of every occurrence.
Russia
Large deposits across Siberia, especially Sakha.
Canada
Arctic mines known for traceable production.
South Africa
The historic source that transformed modern diamond mining.
Australia
Argyle was famous for rare pink diamonds.
India
Historic alluvial source, including the Golconda region.
The color spectrum of Diamond
Color is shaped by chemistry, structure, inclusions, and light. These are representative varieties—not a promise that every stone will show every shade.
Colorless
Pure-looking bodycolor; graded D–Z by the GIA scale.
Champagne
Warm brown or golden tones caused by lattice defects.
Canary yellow
Nitrogen-related absorption creates yellow to vivid yellow.
Blue
Boron in the crystal lattice gives many blue diamonds their color.
Pink
Usually linked to deformation in the crystal lattice, not a pink impurity.
Green
Natural radiation can displace atoms and create green coloration.
Red
Extremely rare; commonly associated with plastic deformation.
Trusted references
Traditional beliefs & modern crystal claims
Gemstones have rich symbolic histories. The claims below are presented as folklore, cultural tradition, or modern pseudoscience—not as proven medical, psychological, or supernatural effects.
Historical lens
Diamonds were thought to be thunderbolts, hardened dew, or fragments of stars.
Ancient and medieval natural philosophy used supernatural origins to explain a mineral that seemed impossibly hard.
Historical lens
Wearing a diamond was believed to provide courage, protection, and resistance to poison.
These talismanic traditions appear in European, South Asian, and Persian sources.
Historical lens
Modern crystal-healing traditions associate diamond with clarity and energetic amplification.
This is a spiritual practice, not a property demonstrated by gemological or medical research.
Gemological properties can be measured and tested. Symbolic meaning is personal and cultural; crystals should never replace qualified medical or mental-health care.
History of the Diamond
Ancient India (before 400 BCE)
Diamonds first mined in Golconda, India. Called "vajra" (thunderbolt) in Sanskrit. Kautilya's Arthashastra described diamond trade. Indian artisans did not cut diamonds—they were valued in rough natural octahedral form.
Medieval Europe (500–1400 CE)
Diamonds reached Europe via Arab traders. Believed to be hardened dew or fallen starlight. Medieval physicians ground diamonds into medicine. The Bishop of Rennes (1070 CE) wrote the earliest European diamond description.
The Renaissance of Cutting (1400s–1500s)
Lodewyk van Berken of Bruges developed the diamond-polishing wheel (scaif) around 1456, enabling faceted cutting. The first brilliant-cut diamonds began appearing in Florentine courts. The Sancy Diamond was faceted during this period.
The Age of Exploration & New Sources (1700s–1800s)
Brazil became the world's dominant source after 1730. The 4Cs grading system originated conceptually with Venetian goldsmiths but was formally codified by GIA in 1953. South Africa's Kimberley mines opened in 1871; Cecil Rhodes consolidated control into De Beers by 1888.
20th Century & Modern Era
De Beers launched "A Diamond is Forever" in 1947, cementing the engagement ring tradition. Lab-grown diamonds introduced commercially in the 1950s. Today, Botswana, Russia, and Canada are leading sources.
Cultural Significance
Diamonds symbolize eternal love, invincibility, and purity across cultures. In Hindu tradition, a flawless diamond brought good fortune; a flawed one brought misfortune. Greek warriors wore diamonds into battle believing they conferred invincibility. European monarchies defined crown jewels by their diamonds—the British Imperial State Crown holds 2,868 diamonds including the Cullinan II. In Chinese culture, the diamond represents clarity of mind and is associated with longevity. Today, diamond engagement rings are a global tradition born primarily from 20th-century marketing.
Cultural meanings and historical beliefs are included for context. They are not scientific evidence or medical advice.
Traditional beliefs & legend
Ancient Hindus called diamonds "dew from heaven" and believed they were formed by lightning striking rocks. Greeks named the diamond after "adamas" (unconquerable) and believed Zeus used them to forge his thunderbolts. Medieval Europeans thought diamonds could only be dissolved in goat's blood, could detect poison by sweating, and could cure illness. Alchemists believed diamonds were the "philosopher's stone" in disguise.
This section records cultural history and folklore. These stories are not scientific evidence or medical guidance.
Expert Buying Guide
When purchasing diamonds, evaluate the 4Cs: Cut (most important for brilliance—round brilliant is the benchmark), Color (D–F colorless grades are premium; G–J offer value), Clarity (VS1–VS2 are eye-clean and recommended), and Carat weight (affects price exponentially, not linearly). Always request a GIA or AGS grading certificate. Avoid diamonds with fluorescence graded 'Very Strong' as this can cause a milky haze. Be aware that many online sellers offer 'enhanced' diamonds (fracture-filled or laser-drilled) at steep discounts—these are legitimate but worth less on resale. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds but sell at 60–80% discounts; they are an excellent value choice but do not hold the same collector resale value.
In-Depth Analysis
Identity: Natural diamonds are carbon crystals formed in the earth. Laboratory-grown diamonds are produced in controlled environments and have properties corresponding to natural diamond. Simulants such as cubic zirconia and moissanite are different materials.
Color, Clarity & Cut: Cut strongly influences brilliance. Color and clarity preferences depend on the setting, lighting, size, and buyer priorities; grade labels should be interpreted in the context of the issuing laboratory's system.
Treatments: Common treatments include fracture filling and laser drilling. Major look-alikes are Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia.
Care & Wear: Diamond has high scratch resistance but can chip along cleavage planes. Before ultrasonic or steam cleaning, treatment status, inclusions, mounting security, and prior repairs should be reviewed by a qualified jeweler.
Report Considerations: A grading report is highly advisable for significant purchases. Ensure the report number is laser-inscribed on the girdle and matches the document.
Questions to Ask the Seller
- Does this diamond have a GIA or AGS grading report?
- Is the diamond fracture-filled or laser-drilled?
- Is the report number laser-inscribed on the girdle?
- If the stone is mounted, are the grades estimated or from a pre-mounting report?
Ready to collect Diamonds?
Browse our current, authentic collection of natural diamonds on eBay.
Famous Diamonds in History
Cullinan Diamond
Largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found (3,106 carats), discovered in South Africa in 1905. Cut into 9 major stones, the two largest—Cullinan I (530 ct) and Cullinan II (317 ct)—are set in the British Crown Jewels.
Hope Diamond
45.52-carat fancy deep blue diamond, now at the Smithsonian Institution. Believed stolen from a Hindu idol, it allegedly carried a curse. Owned by Louis XIV, then later by Henry Philip Hope, and finally donated by Harry Winston in 1958.
Koh-i-Noor
Meaning 'Mountain of Light,' this 105.6-carat diamond originated in India and passed through Mughal, Persian, Afghan, and Sikh rulers before being acquired by the British East India Company and set in the Queen Mother's Crown.