Diamond Diamond Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. At room temperature and pressure, another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form, but diamond almost never converts to it. Diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any natural material, properties that are utilized in major industrial applications such as cutting and polishing tools. They are also the reason that diamond anvil cells can subject materials to pressures found deep in the Earth. Because the arrangement of atoms in diamond is extremely
Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum Parts of the collection were expected to be included in the planned centennial museum, which was to be called the Arizona Experience Museum. The mineral collection features displays of minerals from well-known Arizona mineral localities and specimens from Arizona copper mines, including a piece of native copper that is in its longest dimension. Displays on the lapidary arts feature faceted gemstones and cabochons made from Arizona minerals. Mineralogical principles are illustrated by displays on mineral crystal systems, crystal habits, fluorescent minerals, and causes of color. Unusual items in the mineral collection include a piece of the Meteor Crater meteorite, fulgurites,