Diamond
di·a·mond | ˈdī-(ə-)mənd
noun
A mineral composed of carbon that crystallizes in the cubic or isometric crystal system and is therefore singly refractive
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring known substance on the planet, matched only by man-made synthetic diamonds. It is for this rarity that diamonds have become among the most coveted of naturally occurring gemstones. Diamonds occur naturally in several colors and can be influenced by the conditions in which they are found. Natural diamonds have been found cololess, blue, green, yellow, orange, violet, and brown, and red stones, while incredibly rare, are known to exist. Diamonds have a refractive index of 2.417 and are incredibly hard, allowing them to be fashioned in such a way that they display higher brilliance than any other gemstones. While diamonds can be found around the world, they are commonly mined in Africa, Russia, South Ameirca, India, and Australia.