Abstract
Diamond, by definition, is a mineral composed exclusively of the element carbon. The carbon atoms in diamond are arranged in a dense cubic crystal structure (Fig.1-01), and it is this crystal structure that gives diamond its unusual physical and chemical properties. Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring mineral (Moh’s hardness 10), but despite this extreme hardness, it is also a brittle material that can fracture in response to severe force. Another unusual property of diamond is its resistance to reactions with most chemical agents, which makes diamond virtually inert.
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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Tappert, R., Tappert, M.C. (2011). The Origin of Diamonds. In: Diamonds in Nature. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12572-0_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12572-0_1
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