Is a Diamond a Gem?

A diamond is a gemstone that is prized for its beauty and durability. They are typically used to signify wealth and status, and are often given as gifts to commemorate important occasions. While diamonds are not the only type of gemstone, they are some of the most popular and well-known.

Is a Diamond a Gem?

If you’ve always wondered is a diamond a gem or something else entirely, a diamond is indeed a gemstone. Chemically, a diamond is a gemstone made up of carbon atoms. They are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle at high temperatures and pressures. Over time, these conditions cause the carbon atoms in diamonds to arrange themselves into a crystal structure that is incredibly strong and resistant to wear.

Gemstones are usually found in veins or pockets in the rocks and are mined using various methods, such as open pit mining, underground mining, and dredging. Diamonds are also found in alluvial deposits, which are gravel, sand, or other materials that have been deposited by a river or stream. Alluvial diamonds are usually smaller than those that have been mined from the Earth, but they are also less expensive.

What is the Gem That Looks Like a Diamond?

Moissanite, often referred to as a diamond simulant, is a gem that looks strikingly similar to a diamond. It possesses many of the same qualities as diamonds, such as its brilliance and durability.

However, there are some key differences between moissanite and diamonds that you should be aware of before purchasing this gemstone. For example, moissanite is typically less hard than diamonds, with a Mohs scale score of 9.25 compared to diamond’s 10 and therefore may not be as durable.

Additionally, moissanite typically has a different dispersion than diamonds, meaning its sparkle will be slightly different.

Diamonds are made of carbon, while moissanite is made of silicon carbide.

Although moissanite may not be as valuable as diamonds, it still has a beautiful sparkle and can be used in jewelry. Many people prefer moissanite because it is more affordable than diamonds. If you are looking for a gem that looks like a diamond but is less expensive, then moissanite may be the perfect choice for you.

How to Tell if a Gem is a Diamond?

All diamonds are gemstones, but not all gemstones are diamonds. The main difference between a diamond and other gemstones is that diamonds are formed from a single element: carbon.

All other gemstones are made of two or more elements. For example, rubies are made of corundum, which is a form of aluminum oxide, and sapphires are made of corundum and titanium. Emeralds are made of beryl, which is a type of mineral that contains beryllium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen.

Thankfully, there are many ways to tell if a gem is a diamond. Here’s how:

Hardness

One of the most definitive ways to tell if a gem is a diamond is by testing its hardness. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, with a Mohs scale score of 10 out of 10, so if your gem can scratch glass or steel, it’s probably a diamond. However, other materials like moissanite and cubic zirconia can also scratch glass, so this test isn’t foolproof.

Here’s a helpful table of some gems and their hardness:

Refractive index

Another way to test if a gem is a diamond is by its refractive index. This measures how much light is bent when it passes through an object. Diamonds have one of the highest refractive indices of any gemstone, so if your gem has a high refractive index, it’s likely a diamond. However, other gems like sapphires and rubies also have high refractive indices, so this test isn’t foolproof either.

Electromagnetic response

Yet another way to test if a gem is a diamond is by its electromagnetic response. Diamonds emit an electrical current when put under pressure. So if your gem emits an electrical current when you press on it, it’s likely a diamond. However, this test is also not foolproof, as other materials like moissanite emit a current too.

What is the Specific Gravity of a Gem Quality Diamond?

A gem quality diamond has a specific gravity of 3.52. This measures the density of an object compared to water. This means that a gem quality diamond is about three and a half times as dense as water. This density helps diamonds resist scratches and other damage.

To calculate specific gravity, you need to know the weight of the object in air and the weight of the object in water.

For example, let’s say you have a gem that weighs 1 gram in the air but only 0.9 grams when submerged in water. To find the specific gravity, you would divide the weight in air by the weight in water. So in this case, 1 divided by .9 equals 1.11.

The specific gravity of a diamond is also what makes it so brilliant. Light reflecting off the facets of a diamond is refracted and dispersed into all the colors of the rainbow. The brightness, fire, and sparkle of a diamond are what make it so desirable.

What is the Rarest Gem?

Painite is the rarest gem. It was first discovered in Myanmar by British mineralogist Arthur C. D. Pain in the 1950s and was described as “the ugliest mineral in the world”. With a name derived from its discoverer, painite is an extremely rare boron-containing mineral. It has since been found in smaller quantities in Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Australia, and Scotland.

While painite may be ugly to some, it is treasured by others for its unique orange-red color. This gemstone is so rare that only a handful of faceted stones exist today, making it one of the most valuable minerals on Earth.

Conclusion

Diamonds are gems. They are prized for their beauty, rarity, and durability. While other gemstones may sometimes be more elaborate or expensive, diamonds are the most widely known and sought after gem in the world. Diamonds have been used as jewelry and decorative items for centuries, and they remain a popular choice for engagement rings and other pieces of jewelry. Was this helpful? Leave a comment after sharing!