Structure of Diamond

Diamond is a form of carbon known as an allotrope. Its atoms bond together strongly in a three-dimensional network through covalent bonding. This bonding makes diamonds very hard. Its structure is tetrahedral, meaning each carbon atom is surrounded by four other atoms arranged like the corners of a tetrahedron. In diamond, each carbon atom is sp3 hybridized, resulting in four sp3 hybrid orbitals directed outward from the center of the tetrahedron. This arrangement forms the primary unit cell of a diamond.

Properties of Diamond

The various properties of diamonds are listed below:

• Diamond is an allotrope of carbon, composed entirely of carbon atoms.
• Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material
• It is thermally conductive
• It can exhibit various colors due to impurities or defects

Diamond is a solid allotrope of carbon which is distinguished by its diamond cubic crystal lattice structure. It is known for its exceptional hardness and thermal conductivity which makes it one of the hardest naturally occurring materials. Diamonds consist of 99.95% carbon, with the remaining 0.05% comprising trace elements that influence their crystal shape and color. It is formed in the Earth’s upper mantle under intense heat and pressure.