Everything You Want to Know About Diamonds
The diamond is the most famous gemstone in the world and has symbolized love, strength, and durability for centuries. Thanks to its exceptional hardness and timeless beauty, the diamond is the most popular choice for engagement rings and other jewelry worn every day.
Although most people think of a colorless stone when they think of a diamond, diamonds also occur in various natural colors, such as yellow, brown, blue, pink, and even green. In addition, lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular these days.
On this page, you can read all about the properties of diamonds, the different colors, their hardness, how to care for them, and what to look for when choosing a diamond.
Diamonds at a Glance
Mineral: Carbon (C)
Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale
Suitable for everyday wear: ★★★★★
Most common colors: Colorless, yellow, brown
Birthstone: April
Properties of Diamond
Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle under extremely high pressure and temperatures.
With a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth. This makes it exceptionally scratch-resistant and ideal for jewelry worn every day, such as engagement and wedding rings.
However, high hardness does not mean that a diamond is unbreakable. Due to its natural cleavage planes, a hard impact in the right spot can cause the stone to become damaged or split. That is why a well-designed setting is important to provide the diamond with optimal protection.
Diamond Colors
Most white diamonds used in jewelry range in color from colorless to light yellow. As a general rule, the less color a white diamond has, the rarer it is.
In addition to the well-known colorless diamonds, there are also natural fancy-color diamonds. These include, among others:
- Yellow
- Pink
- Blue
- Green
- Red (extremely rare)
- Orange
- Purple
- Brown (including champagne)
- Black
Unlike white diamonds, fancy-color diamonds are not graded for colorlessness, but rather for the intensity and quality of their color.
Hardness and Durability
With a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is the hardest natural gemstone. As a result, it is highly resistant to scratches.
However, hardness is not the same as toughness. Diamond has a natural cleavage plane. A hard blow in exactly the wrong spot can therefore cause damage. For this reason, a good setting remains important.
Natural, treated, and lab-grown diamonds
Natural diamond
Most natural diamonds were formed deep within the Earth’s mantle between one and three and a half billion years ago. Volcanic activity eventually brought them closer to the Earth’s surface, where they can be mined.
Treated diamond
Some diamonds are treated to improve their color or clarity. Common treatments include laser drilling, HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) treatment, and color enhancements. Reputable sellers always disclose whether a diamond has been treated.
Lab-grown diamond
A lab-grown diamond has the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as a natural diamond. The difference is that it is formed in a laboratory rather than in nature.
The 4 Cs of Diamonds
Diamonds are graded worldwide based on the four well-known quality factors.
Carat
The weight of the diamond.
Color
The amount of color present in a white diamond.
Clarity (purity)
The presence of natural inclusions and surface features.
Cut (grinding quality)
The quality of the cut determines how well a diamond reflects light and, consequently, how much brilliance the stone has.
Care
Diamond is easy to care for. Regular cleaning with lukewarm water, a soft toothbrush, and a little mild soap is usually sufficient.
In addition, check regularly to make sure the setting is still secure, especially for a ring that is worn every day.
Summary
Diamond is the hardest natural gemstone and is known for its exceptional scratch resistance and timeless beauty. Thanks to its high hardness and durability, diamond is particularly well-suited for jewelry worn every day, such as engagement and wedding rings.
Although colorless diamonds are the best known, diamonds occur naturally in a wide range of colors, including yellow, pink, blue, and green. In addition, both natural and lab-grown diamonds are available today, offering options to suit a variety of preferences and budgets.
Thanks to its combination of beauty, durability, and versatility, the diamond remains one of the most beloved and popular gemstones in the world.
Looking for more information about other gemstones? Check out the complete gemstone guide for an overview of all gemstones and their properties.