While diamonds are renowned for their hardness, they are not indestructible and can be broken.
How Diamonds Can Be Broken
Although diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring material, their crystalline structure has cleavage planes, making them vulnerable to breaking under certain conditions. Here's a breakdown:
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Sharp Blows: Despite their hardness, a direct, sharp blow to a diamond along its cleavage plane can cause it to cleave or fracture. A common hammer, especially when applied with force and precision, can indeed break a diamond.
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Extreme Heat: Diamonds are susceptible to thermal shock. Rapid and extreme temperature changes can cause them to crack or shatter.
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Other Diamonds: Ironically, a diamond can scratch or damage another diamond. This is the principle behind diamond cutting, where diamond-tipped tools are used to shape and polish other diamonds.
Strength vs. Toughness
It's important to distinguish between hardness, strength, and toughness:
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Hardness: Resistance to scratching. Diamonds excel in hardness.
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Strength: Resistance to deformation or fracture under pressure. While hard, diamonds are not exceptionally strong in all directions.
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Toughness: Resistance to fracture when subjected to impact. Diamonds have a relatively low toughness compared to some other materials.
Examples
- A diamond cutter deliberately cleaving a large diamond into smaller, more valuable stones.
- A diamond ring accidentally struck against a hard surface, resulting in a chip or crack.
In conclusion, despite their hardness, diamonds can be broken by a sharp blow, extreme heat, or even another diamond under the right conditions. The key lies in understanding the diamond's crystalline structure and its cleavage planes.
