cubic Native Elements
Diamond (Octahedron)
Formula C
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Diamond
#! System: Cubic (m3m)
#! Habit: Octahedral with dodecahedron truncation
cubic[m3m]:{111}@1.0[trigon:dense] + {110}@0.2
cubic
m3m
{111} {110}
Quick Facts
Hardness
10.0
Specific Gravity
3.52
Refractive Index
2.417
Optical Character
Isotropic
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- cubic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 10.0
- Specific Gravity
- 3.52
- Cleavage
- Perfect {111}
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Lustre
- Adamantine
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 2.417
- Optical Character
- Isotropic
- Dispersion
- 0.044
- Fluorescence
- Variable; blue LWUV common in Type Ia, inert in Type IIa
Characteristics
Colours
ColorlessYellowBrownBluePink
Localities
South AfricaRussiaAustraliaBotswana
Common Inclusions
FeathersCrystalsCloudsPinpointsNeedles
Known Treatments
HPHTIrradiationCoatingFracture filling
Crystal Forms
octahedrondodecahedron
Diagnostic Features
Adamantine lustre; extreme hardness (10); high dispersion (0.044); strong thermal conductivity
Synthetics & Simulants
Known synthetic and simulant versions of Diamond
Cubic Zirconia (Faceted (Brilliant Cut)) simulant
Skull Melting
GGG (Gadolinium Gallium Garnet) (Faceted) simulant
Czochralski
LuAG (Lutetium Aluminium Garnet) (Faceted) simulant
Czochralski
Moissanite (Faceted) simulant
Strontium Titanate (Faceted) simulant
Flame Fusion
Synthetic Rutile (Faceted) simulant
Flame Fusion
YAG (Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) (Faceted) simulant
Czochralski
CVD Diamond (CVD Plate) synthetic
CVD
HPHT Diamond (Cuboctahedron) synthetic
HPHT
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the cubic system
