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Diamond Crystal (in Kimberlite)

Composed of pure carbon, diamonds are the hardest known material. Because of this they are indispensable to industry. Diamonds are also valuable to geologists, who learn from them about the conditions in the interior of the earth. Only about one-third of diamonds found are big enough to be cut into gems.

Group: Native Elements
Image Number: MSA 168
Catalog Number: 120956

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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Geology, Gems, and Minerals Subject Guide Credits