Diamond is a mineral form of the element carbon characterized by atoms arranged in a crystal structure known as diamond cubic. It is a tasteless, odorless, strong, and brittle solid that is insoluble in water and serves as a poor conductor of electricity. In its pure form, the mineral is colorless.
While graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, diamond is considered metastable and converts to graphite at a negligible rate under those conditions. Diamond possesses the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any natural material, which makes it highly useful for major industrial applications, specifically in the production of cutting and polishing tools.