Diamond: Is It Really The Hardest Form Of Stone?
Diamond is undeniably the best gemstones, having a lot of strength and very few weaknesses. Deemed as the hardest substance to have been discovered, this stone is actually four times harder than corundum or ruby and sapphire, the hardest natural minerals.
However, despite its characteristics, it is not that impermeable. This gemstone has four directions of cleavage, which means to say that if diamonds receive very sharp blows in one of its directions, it will not split or cleave. In order to prevent any of these possible directions to be stuck while being placed in a jewelry piece, a professional jeweller or skilled setter is needed.
In spite of its single flaw, a diamond has a lot of positive characteristics. This gemstone has a very broad colour range, it is highly refractive and low reactive to chemicals, and of course this stone is very rare and extremely hard and durable.
Physical Properties of a Diamond
In terms of its hardness, a diamond is a perfect ‘10', defining the top spot of the hardness scale. This luxury stone is also transparent over larger ranges of wavelengths, measured from the ultraviolet towards the far infrared, than any other liquid or solid component. In fact, nothing else really comes as close as to having this characteristics of a diamond.
As for its thermal conductivity, diamonds conduct heat better than anything else. They are five times better than silver, the second best element. They also have the highest melting point, reaching up to 3820 degrees Kelvin. The diamonds' atoms are also closely packed together than any atoms of any other substance, as far as their lattice density is concerned.
A diamond is a polymorph. It is an excellent electrical insulator and is greatly abrasive. This stone can crystallize in the Isometric system.
Additional Information About A Diamond Stone
A diamond stone has varied colours, including brown, yellow, gray, white, blue, black, greenish, reddish, or even colourless. Its luster is adamantine to waxy and its crystals can either be transparent or translucent. As for its crystal habits, it includes isometric forms like octahedrons, cubes and twinning, although the latter is seldom seen these days.
How It Can Be Identified
A diamond can be identified thru their high thermal conductivity. Its high refractive index is also indicative although there are some other minerals with the same characteristic. It can also cut glass, and it can easily scratch other diamonds. However, in doing so, it can damage both the diamonds.
From its characteristics alone, a diamond is indeed the hardest form of stone. They make fine and stunning jewelry that every women love. This is primarily the reason why a diamond is considered a girl's best friend.
