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An uncut diamond in rock
Diamonds are found in various types of rock deposits and must be mined and cut to produce the brilliant gemstone used in jewelry.
Is diamond the hardest substance on Earth?
Yes, diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. It is a 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, indicating the material’s supreme resistance to being scratched. Diamond’s hardness is a result of its atomic structure, where each carbon atom (diamond is made entirely of carbon) is bonded to four equally spaced neighbors in a dense tightly bonded structure. The extreme hardness of diamond makes it invaluable in industrial applications, particularly for cutting, drilling, or as an abrasive. (see also How Are Diamonds Made?)
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