Diamond

Diamond, made up of very strong three-dimensional carbon compounds, is the hardest natural material on earth.

Diamond originates from graphite. In graphite, the carbon atoms lie flat (they are two-dimensional) but under high pressure and at temperatures of over 5000 degrees Celsius this flat structure is converted into a three-dimensional one and graphite becomes diamond.

Because of its hardness, diamond is used for drill heads in the oil industry and in dentistry.

Diamond burns at temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius. In a fierce house fire, diamond jewellery will simply go up in flames. So diamonds are definitely not ‘forever’.