diamonds

grabcad

Diamond, pronounced as /ˈdaɪəmənd/ or /ˈdaɪmənd/, is a metastable carbon allotrope with a diamond lattice structure. Known for superlative physical attributes, it has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity among bulk materials. Diamond's industrial applications range from cutting and polishing tools to scientific uses like diamond knives and anvil cells. Due to its rigid lattice, impurities are minimal, with boron causing blue coloration and nitrogen resulting in yellow hues. Optical dispersion is also high. Formed at depths of 140-190 km in Earth's mantle over billion-year periods, diamonds rise via magma-produced kimberlites or lamproites. Synthetic methods, HPHT and CVD, as well as diamond simulants like cubic zirconia and silicon carbide, resemble natural diamonds but require gemological techniques for distinction. The word "diamond" originates from Greek, meaning "unbreakable."