Diamonds hold the highest score on the Mohs hardness scale, consisting of superior quality single crystal diamond. This makes them the hardest material known to exist on Earth. Interestingly, the perfect score of 10.0 on the Mohs scale signifies not merely a single point advancement over ruby but represents an exponential increase, emphasizing the non-linear nature of the scale.
Methods of Diamond Formation
Natural Formation
Natural diamonds are formed under high temperature and high pressure conditions deep within the Earth’s mantle over millions of years. These diamonds are brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions and are mined from kimberlite pipes or alluvial deposits.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
HPHT diamonds are synthetic diamonds created by mimicking the natural conditions of high pressure and high temperature in a laboratory. This method is widely used for producing both industrial-grade and gem-quality diamonds.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
CVD diamonds are created by depositing carbon atoms onto a substrate from a gas phase in a controlled environment. This method allows for the production of high-quality diamond films and single crystals under low pressure, making it suitable for a variety of industrial and technological applications.