Encyclopedia

diamond

diamond, mineral, one of two crystalline forms of the element carbon (see allotropy), the hardest natural substance known, used as a gem and in industry.

Sections in this article:

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

More on diamond from Fact Monster:

  • Affair of the Diamond Necklace - Diamond Necklace, Affair of the Diamond Necklace, Affair of the, scandal that took place at the ...
  • Diamond Jim Brady - Brady, Diamond Jim Brady, Diamond Jim (James Buchanan Brady), 1856–1917, American financier ...
  • Lou Diamond Phillips - Lou Diamond Phillips (Lou Upchurch) actor Born: 2/17/1962 Birthplace: The Philippines This handsome ...
  • Beastie Boys - Beastie Boys rock group The group's album, Licensed to Ill (1986) spawned the hit “(You ...
  • diamond: The Diamond Cartel - The Diamond Cartel The discoveries of 1870–71 in South Africa led to a great number of ...

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Mineralogy and Crystallography