Diamond is a solid form of pure carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal.

Solid carbon comes in

different forms known as allotropes depending on the type of chemical bond. The two most
common allotropes of pure carbon are diamond and graphite. In graphite the bonds are sp2 orbital
hybrids and the atoms form in planes, with each bound to three nearest neighbors 120 degrees apart.
In diamond they are sp3 and the atoms form tetrahedra with each bound to four nearest neighbors. [4]
[5] Tetrahedra are rigid, the bonds are strong, and of all known substances diamond has the greatest
number of atoms per unit volume, which is why it is both the hardest and the least compressible.[6]
[7] It also has a high density, ranging from 3150 to 3530 kilograms per cubic metre (over three times
the density of water) in natural diamonds and 3520 kg/m3 in pure diamond.[2] In graphite, the bonds
between nearest neighbors are even stronger, but the bonds between parallel adjacent planes are
weak, so the planes easily slip past each other. Thus, graphite is much softer than diamond. However,
the stronger bonds make graphite less flammable.[8]
Diamonds have been adopted for many uses because of the material's exceptional physical
characteristics. It has the highest thermal conductivity and the highest sound velocity. It has low
adhesion and friction, and its coefficient of thermal expansion is extremely low. Its optical transparency
extends from the far infrared to the deep ultraviolet and it has high optical dispersion. It also has high
electrical resistance. It is chemically inert, not reacting with most corrosive substances, and has
excellent biological compatibility.[9]