The Importance of Diamonds

One of the more obvious reasons that diamonds are important is their use in jewelry today. Over 80% of engagement rings bought for women have diamonds. This makes diamonds the most common gem used for engagement rings- after all, it is the symbol of love. Another reason for the importance of diamonds is something that is helpful for geologists. Geologists have the ability to use whats called inclusions in a diamond, which are tiny little specks found in most diamonds, to learn more about the mantle that the diamond has come from. The main thing inclusions indicate is how deep into the mantle the diamond was found.

Some blue diamonds are used as natural semiconductors, which is an electrical conductivity value falling somewhere between a conductor and an indicator. Most other diamonds are used as resistors, which are passive two terminal electrical components that impelents electrical resistance as a circuit element. They are also commonly used in saws, drills, and grinders. On a scale of 1-10 on the Mohs hardness scale, diamonds are at a 10, making the gem the hardest naturally occuring substance one Earth.