True or False: The unique physical properties of gem-quality diamonds allow them to survive environmental forces better than any other gemstone.

True or False: The unique physical properties of gem-quality diamonds allow them to survive environmental forces better than any other gemstone.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Durability from hardness and chemical stability drives this. Gem-quality diamonds are the hardest natural material, so they resist scratching and surface wear very well. They’re also chemically inert, meaning they resist chemical weathering or corrosion that can affect many other gemstones. Add their ability to withstand heat and high pressures, and diamonds tend to hold up under environmental stresses longer than most other gems. While no gemstone is perfectly indestructible and diamonds do have cleavage that can fail if struck badly, in typical environmental conditions their exceptional hardness and chemical stability make them more likely to survive than many alternatives.

Durability from hardness and chemical stability drives this. Gem-quality diamonds are the hardest natural material, so they resist scratching and surface wear very well. They’re also chemically inert, meaning they resist chemical weathering or corrosion that can affect many other gemstones. Add their ability to withstand heat and high pressures, and diamonds tend to hold up under environmental stresses longer than most other gems. While no gemstone is perfectly indestructible and diamonds do have cleavage that can fail if struck badly, in typical environmental conditions their exceptional hardness and chemical stability make them more likely to survive than many alternatives.