AllMineralsRock
Diamond Vs. Sapphire
Diamond is a very popular precious gemstone composed of carbon.[1] Sapphire is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Diamond and Sapphire
For a quick recap of the differences diamond and sapphire:- For chemical formulas, diamond is C while sapphire is Al2O3.
- While both diamond and sapphire is adamantine, in terms of luster, sapphire can be vitreous.
- Diamond streaks white while sapphire streaks colorless.
- Diamond can be commonly colorless while sapphire can be commonly blue or green.
- Diamond's rarity is more rare than sapphire.
- Diamond's specific gravity is lower than sapphire - diamond ranges from 2.9 to 3.5 and sapphire ranges from 3.99 to 4.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Diamond and Sapphire
The similarities of diamond and sapphire include:- Diamond and sapphire both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Diamond's hardness is similar to sapphire - they both are 9 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Diamond
Diamond is a rare and valuable mineral that is highly sought after for its beauty and durability. It is composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure, making it the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. The unique properties of diamond make it highly suitable for use in a variety of applications, from jewelry to industrial tools and equipment.Summary of Sapphire
Sapphire is a precious mineral that belongs to the corundum family. It is a variety of aluminum oxide that is distinguished by its blue color, although it can also be found in other colors such as pink, yellow, green, and purple. Sapphire is one of the hardest minerals in the world, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it an ideal material for use in jewelry and industrial applications.Table Comparison of Diamond vs Sapphire
| Diamond (src) | Sapphire (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | C | Al2O3 |
| Chemical Composition | carbon | silicon dioxide |
| Specific Gravity | 2.9, 3.5, 3.515 | 3.99, 4, 4.1 |
| Hardness | 9 | 9 |
| Streak | white | colorless |
| Refractive Index | 2.417 | 1.757, 1.779 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: colorless sometimes: blue, white, yellow less common: red, gray, pink, black, brown, green, orange, purple, violet |
common: green, blue sometimes: pink, amber, yellow less common: gray, black, brown, white, orange, purple, violet, colorless, red, gold, multicolor |
| Fracture | conchoidal | conchoidal |