How to destroy a Diamond?

Diamonds have long been admired for their extraordinary hardness, brilliance, and rarity. With a perfect 10/10 on the Mohs hardness scale, they are the hardest naturally occurring material known to science. This unique property makes them invaluable in both jewelry and industrial applications. However, despite their legendary strength, diamonds are not indestructible. There is a surprising way to destroy them—chemically.

Mohs hardness scale

The Mohs hardness scale is a system used to measure the hardness of minerals based on their ability to scratch softer materials. Developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, the scale ranks minerals from 1 (talc, the softest) to 10 (diamond, the hardest). Each mineral on the scale can scratch those below it but can be scratched by those above it. For example, quartz (7) can scratch feldspar (6) but not topaz (8). While the Mohs scale is useful for identifying minerals, it is not a precise measure of absolute hardness; instead, it provides a relative comparison of materials' resistance to scratching.

The Paradox of Diamond Strength

Diamonds are often considered symbols of strength, beauty, and endurance, but their ability to completely disintegrate under the right conditions is a fascinating contradiction. While they are resistant to scratching and external pressure, their weakness to high-temperature oxidation shows that even the hardest materials have limitations.

Why Are Diamonds So Hard?

The hardness of a diamond comes from its atomic structure. Diamonds are made entirely of carbon atoms, which are arranged in a tightly bonded, three-dimensional lattice. Each carbon atom forms strong covalent bonds with four neighboring carbon atoms, creating a rigid and incredibly tough crystal. This structure is what makes diamonds resistant to scratches and external pressure, allowing them to cut through almost any material, including metals and other gemstones.
Even though diamonds are the hardest natural material, their toughness (resistance to breaking) is not as high. A strong impact at the right angle can cause a diamond to fracture, making them more brittle than some other materials like graphene or certain metals.

How to Destroy?

Yes! While it is nearly impossible to scratch or shatter a diamond under normal conditions, diamonds can be destroyed chemically under extreme heat and oxygen exposure. This process, known as combustion or oxidation, turns the diamond into carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas, making it completely disappear.
How Does This Happen?

1. High Temperature: Diamonds start to burn in air at 850–1,000°C (1,560–1,830°F), but in pure oxygen, this can happen at even lower temperatures.
   
   
   
2. Oxygen Exposure: When oxygen is continuously supplied to a heated diamond, a reaction occurs where the carbon atoms combine with oxygen to form carbon dioxide gas.
   
   
   
3. Complete Disintegration: Over time, the entire diamond will convert into CO₂, leaving behind no trace of the original crystal.
   
   
   

This phenomenon is similar to the way coal, another form of carbon, burns in oxygen, but diamonds require higher temperatures due to their more stable atomic structure.

This knowledge not only adds to the mystery of diamonds but also reminds us that even nature’s toughest creations are not invincible!

Source: Nile Red