Do Diamonds Crack?
Key Takeaways
- Diamonds can indeed be cracked, broken, or chipped if subjected to strong force at weak points. Despite holding the top position for hardness on the Mohs scale, diamonds have only average toughness...
Diamonds can indeed be cracked, broken, or chipped if subjected to strong force at weak points. Despite holding the top position for hardness on the Mohs scale, diamonds have only average toughness and high brittleness, making them vulnerable to sudden mechanical impacts.
To understand why the "hardest substance on earth" can still break, let's delve into the physical structure of diamonds and common mistakes when using this gemstone with Jemmia Diamond in the article below.
Can Diamonds Crack?
Diamonds can crack due to their unique crystalline structure and the inherent brittleness of carbon. Hardness only reflects scratch resistance, while toughness is the factor that determines resistance to cracking and breaking.
- Crystalline Structure: Diamonds have cleavage planes. If struck along these planes, the stone can easily split or develop fine cracks.
- Brittleness: Lacking ductility, diamonds cannot deform to absorb force. Instead, they will fracture directly when their limit is exceeded.
- Internal Stress: Some natural diamonds contain inclusions or internal stress from their formation process, making them more prone to cracking.
Diamonds can crack due to their unique crystalline structure and the natural brittleness of carbon.
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Common Causes of Diamond Cracking and Breaking
Diamonds often crack or break due to four main impacts: strong mechanical force, internal weaknesses, pressure on sharp edges, and sudden temperature changes. Identifying these risks helps you protect your jewelry's value more proactively.
- Strong Physical Impact: When a stone is dropped from a height or directly strikes hard surfaces like tile floors or metal tabletops, the diamond's brittle structure can cause immediate chipping.
- Weaknesses from Internal Inclusions: Tiny impurities or fissures within natural diamonds act as "strategic weak points." When force is applied, these fissures can expand and cause the stone to split.
- Damage to Sharp Edges: Cuts with sharp angles such as Princess, Pear, or Marquise are prone to chipping at the points if not protected by secure prong settings.
- Thermal Shock: While diamonds can withstand high temperatures, rapid temperature changes (from hot to cold suddenly) create uneven expansion and contraction, leading to surface cracks.
Causes of diamond cracking and breaking
Distinguishing Between Diamond Hardness and Toughness
Hardness and toughness are two distinct physical concepts in the gemstone industry. Diamonds achieve a perfect 10 for hardness but are outperformed by many other materials in their resistance to direct impact.
| Characteristic | Physical Meaning | Score/Status on Diamonds |
| Hardness | Resistance to surface scratching. | 10/10 (Mohs Scale) - Highest. |
| Toughness | Resistance to cracking and breaking. | Average (Approx. 2.0 MPa·m¹/²). |
| Ductility | Ability to bend and change shape. | None (Extremely brittle material). |
See more: Latest GIA Diamond Price List - Quick and Transparent Updates
Can Diamonds Scratch?
Diamonds are virtually impossible to scratch by ordinary means, except by being rubbed against another diamond. With their absolute hardness, the surface of a diamond maintains its luster exceptionally well over time.
However, it's crucial to distinguish between a "scratch" and a "crack":
- Scratch: Caused by abrasive external forces on the surface. Very rare for diamonds.
- Crack: Caused by strong impacts that break internal bonds. This is a real risk when wearing jewelry.
Diamonds are usually scratched by collision with other diamonds
How to Care for Diamond Jewelry to Avoid Cracking and Breaking Risks
Proper diamond care involves minimizing exposure to harmful agents and regularly checking the stone's condition. Careful usage habits will help your jewelry retain its perfect beauty for generations.
- Avoid Wearing During Vigorous Activities: You should remove jewelry when playing sports, cleaning the house, or doing manual labor to prevent accidental impacts.
- Store in a Dedicated Box: Each piece of jewelry should be kept in its own compartment or a soft fabric pouch. This prevents diamonds from rubbing against each other or scratching other gemstones.
- Check Prong Security: Regularly inspect the stone to ensure it is not loose. An open prong setting is a leading cause of diamonds being susceptible to impact and edge chipping.
- Periodic Cleaning at a Reputable Facility: Cleaning dirt not only keeps the stone sparkling but also helps you detect small fissures early for timely repair, preventing them from expanding.
How to care for diamond jewelry
Jemmia Diamond – A Reputable Diamond Source
Jemmia Diamond is a diamond expert authorized by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to import and distribute certified authentic diamonds. The brand is committed to delivering sustainable value and absolute peace of mind to customers through stringent quality and legal standards.
- 100% Transparent Origin: Diamonds are imported through official channels, with complete invoices and GIA certificates, ensuring they are legal assets for investors.
- Strict Selection Standards: Only selects the top 2% of the world's most beautiful diamonds, completely eliminating those with structural flaws or durability issues.
- Pioneering Inspection Technology: Utilizes the most advanced machinery from GIA USA (GIA iD100, GIA Match iD...) to verify origin and quality.
- Responsibility and Ethics: Committed to distributing diamonds only from conflict-free regions, strictly adhering to the "Kimberley Process" procedures.
- Optimal Pricing and After-Sales Service: Public and transparent price lists, along with attractive buy-back and exchange policies, making it easy for customers to upgrade their products.
Jemmia Diamond – A Reputable Diamond Source
