Description | Diamond, elemental carbon (C), is the hardest substance found in nature, but few people realize that diamond is four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum (sapphire and ruby). Diamond's single flaw (perfect cleavage) is far outdistanced by the sum of its positive qualities. It has a broad color range, high refraction, high dispersion or fire, very low reactivity to chemicals, rarity, and extreme hardness and durability. This sample is a oval cut diamond, with the color/clarity rating being F/SI1. The size is 1.25 carats. The diamond in this picture is courtesy of The Jewel Box, Grand Forks, ND. |