Can Diamonds Break?

We've all heard the phrase, "Diamonds are forever," but how true is that? Most of us have never actually seen a diamond break, but there must be some way to cut and shape these gems in order to set them in our jewelry. That's led to many asking what it would take to break a diamond, and if that's something they have to worry about for their own diamonds. Let's explore the answers to those questions.

Can Diamonds Break?

The short answer is yes, diamonds can break like anything else. While diamonds have earned their reputation as one of the hardest materials known to man, that doesn't mean they're invincible.

What Breaks Diamonds?

To break a diamond, you need an adequate amount of force applied to the right spot on a diamond. This has a lot to do with their atomic structure. As you might know, diamonds are made of carbon atoms smashed together by intense heat and pressure. Because of how they're formed, diamonds have a lattice (box-like) structure. This makes them very hard as the atoms do not easily move out of formation.

The tradeoff, however, is that anything that can move the atoms out of formation will likely result in breaking that diamond. When cutting diamonds for jewelry or other uses, technicians use special tools that take advantage of the subtle structural weaknesses in the diamond known as cleave lines. Hitting a diamond in just the right spot with just enough force will cause it to split along these lines.

Should I Worry About Breaking My Diamonds?

Unless you find yourself routinely placing your jewelry under a hydraulic press, you probably don't have to fear your diamonds shattering or breaking. In fact, the jewelry around your diamonds is far more likely to break than the stone itself.

Shop At Solomon Brothers Jewelers Today

To learn more about diamonds and to find a wide selection of gorgeous jewelry, contact us at Solomon Brothers Jewelers today.