Uses of Diamonds

Diamonds are valued as gems because they are rare and because they refract (bend) light to a greater degree than any other gem.

This refraction causes light rays entering the diamond to be broken up into many colors. Diamonds that are very small, structurally defective, or otherwise unsuitable for gemstones are used as industrial diamonds. Industrial diamonds are important for cutting, grinding, polishing, and scraping various kinds of materials. They are also used as dies for making wire. Small diamond fragments are used to provide cutting edges on such tools such as earth drills and rock-cutting saws. Diamond films are used commercially on cutting tools to form a wear-resistant coating and on microelectronic chips as heat sinks to absorb unwanted heat.