Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
diamond

Chemical Group:    native element

Chemical Formula:    C  (carbon)

Color: colorless, pink, yellow, blue, brown, black, red              Streak: too hard

Hardness:  10        Specific Gravity:  3.50             Tenacity:  brittle
 

Transparency:  transparent to opaque (black)

Luster:  adamantine

Cleavage: octahedral, 4 directions

Crystal Forms and Habits: Isometric system
    The most common crystal form is and octahedron, often with rounded surfaces.
    Diamonds may also crystallize as cubes or tetrahedrons. 

Mineral Associations: ultrabasic igneous rocks (kimberlites)

Identifying Characteristics:

Uses:  gemstones, abrasives

Occurrences:  South Africa, Siberia, Australia 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- low         when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information:  diamond that is not gem quality is called bort.