Unique Properties of Diamonds

This gorgeous engagement ring features a total of nine diamonds, including the central diamond which weighs 3.28 carats. Photo ©2019 EraGem Jewelry.   Diamonds, April's dazzling birthstone, possess many exciting and unique properties. Not only is diamond the world's hardest mineral, it also withstands blistering temperatures. Indeed, without exceedingly high temperatures and indescribable pressure, a diamond would not form. As a result of these conditions, April's birthstone possesses a wealth of unique properties.  

Incredible Hardness

Diamonds possess incredible hardness. Indeed, no substance known to man surpasses them. Hardness refers to the ability of a substance to resist scratching. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of diamond's hardness is the softness of its elemental component carbon. Consider graphite, another form of carbon. Graphite is so soft you can write with it. You can nearly scratch it off with your fingernail. Not so with April's birthstone. A diamond can only be scratched by another diamond. It is important when discussing hardness to understand how it differs from toughness. Toughness refers to the ability of a substance to withstand impact from a blow or a fall. While diamonds are extremely durable, able to withstand daily wear in jewelry, they are vulnerable to sudden blows. For example, a diamond will crack, or even shatter, if struck by a hammer. A large rough diamond might also crack if dropped on a hard surface. For this reason, diamond cutters carefully examine a raw diamond before making any cuts. They also use special clamps and cutting tools when faceting and polishing a diamond.  

Heat Resistance & Conductivity

Another unique property of diamonds includes their thermal conductivity. A diamond forms in extremely high-temperature conditions. As such, they can withstand almost any temperatures without effect. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Since diamonds are a form of carbon, they will oxidize. However, temperatures must rise to 1292 degrees Fahrenheit before this happens. In conditions absent oxygen, a diamond remains unchanged in temperatures as high as 3,092 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature a sooty black film accumulates on the surface of the diamond. Fortunately, re-polishing returns it to its original brilliance. Under high pressure conditions, a diamond can withstand temperatures in excess of 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Certainly, a diamond will eventually melt. However, temperatures must exceed 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit for it to happen. In addition to withstanding high temperatures, diamonds also conduct heat extremely well. For these reasons, diamonds remain a popular choice for industrial cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing.  

Industrial Uses for Diamonds

The first industrial use for April's birthstone occurs in the gemstone market. Small or crushed diamonds serve as agents to cut and polish faceted diamonds for jewelry. In addition, some industries crush diamonds for use in sawing, grinding, and polishing other hard materials. When ground into a fine powder, the brilliant stones make a wonderful paste for polishing. Crushed diamonds can be embedded in drill bits, saw blades, and grinding wheels in order to cut, drill, or grind hard materials. It is their hardness and ability to conduct heat which make them marketable for industrial use. Of course, we prefer it when a diamond dazzles on your finger. To view our selection of diamond jewelry, please give our staff a call today. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews