# Diamond > [!material-gem] Material Details > | | | > |---|---| > | **Aliases/Varieties** | Gem-grade Diamond. Industrial Diamond. Pink Diamond. Black Diamond. | > | **Category** | Gemstone | > | **Color(s)** | Transparent, yellow, pink, brown, black | > | **Cost** | —— | > | **Environment/Habitat** | —— | > | **Profession(s)** | [[Alchemist]], [[Jewelcrafter]], [[Tinkerer]] | > | **Qualities** | - Alchemical<br>- Healing<br>- Ornamental<br>- Protective | > | **Rarity** | —— | > | **Size** | —— | > | **Weight** | —— | > [!material-gem] Specifications > | | | > |---|---| > | **Crystal System** | Cubic | > | **Formations** | Carbon deposits in planet's mantle, moved to the surface | > | **Formula** | C | > | **Hardness** | 10.0 (Mohs) | > | **Mineral Class** | Elemental nonmetal | > | **Primary Components** | carbon | > | **Refractive Index** | —— | --- ## Description The hardest, usually clear gem, highly prized by gemologists, jewelers, and collectors. It protects from harm, brings forth military triumphs, and cures diseases. ### Physical Description A usually clear gem of highest hardness, with high, adamantine luster and brilliant fire if cut properly. Chemically, it is a solid form of elemental carbon arranged in a cubic structure, just like graphite. The value of diamond is decided by its clarity, color, cut, and carat weight, with clear and pink diamonds reaching the highest prices. --- ## Occurrence Diamonds form deep in the planet's mantle, under enormous temperatures and pressure. From there, they are moved to the surface by host rocks, kimberlites. They are usually found in the oldest, stable parts of continents, embedded in kimberlite volcanic pipes or alluvial deposits, loose along shorelines, or in craters created by impact of extraplanar bodies. ### Extraction & Preparation Extraction through open-pit mining is an expensive process and requires careful consideration of the economics. Searching for gems in alluvial deposits can be done with basic tools and lots of manual labor. Raw diamonds do not show the prized optical properties and require special tools to cut and polish them. They are very brittle, and can be split up by a single blow. --- ## Properties ### Decorative Properties Gem-quality diamonds are rare and highly valued, particularly in jewelry. A variety of cuts and fashions exists, some aim to evoke more fire, others strengthen the perceived color, others achieve specific angles and refractions. Diamond-tipped tools are also used by engravers. ### Industrial Properties About 80 percent of diamonds mined are used industrially, thanks to a plethora of physical and chemical properties that make them invaluable, like hardness and unparalleled thermal conductivity. They are employed in cutting and grinding tools, as abrasive, as tips for drill bits, saws, and scalpels. Diamonds can cut, grind, or polish any substance, including other diamonds. ### Magical Properties Diamond is an indomitable gem: it resists damage, causes iron to rebound, splits apart anvils, and never gets hot, even thrown into fire. Its wearer is likewise protected from all misfortune and malice, including lightning, evil eye, harmful energy, and vicious rumors. They bring about triumphs in military proceedings, especially worn on the left side of the body. Faulty—mis-cut or included—diamonds attract woe instead, stripping their owner from all that they hold dear: family, love, fortune, health, and professional accomplishments. Diamonds carry a spark of life within them, and are often employed in resurrection magic or rituals of soul-storing. By some, they are considered crushed bones of gods or crystallized tears of stars—and as such, possessing miraculous healing properties: they bind wounds, cure diseases, alleviate sexual dysfunction, neutralize poisons, restore sight and hearing, and bring the body, mind, and soul to perfect harmony. According to the legend, two diamonds, left together for a prolonged time, will marry and birth a smaller one. This curious property is investigated by alchemists working to perfect the process of creating synthetic diamonds—physically and magically identical to the mined ones.