Diamond is unique within the gem world as it is fundamentally composed of only one type of atom, namely carbon, and is therefore an element rather than a compound. If a diamond’s basic crystal structure has not been altered and no trace impurities are present, the stone will be colorless.
Diamond’s name is derived from the Greek word meaning “unconquerable”, as the crystals’ inherent high hardness made them difficult to cut and polish. This is one of the reasons why its status as the world’s best-known gemstone is actually a relatively recent phenomenon.
Another issue prior to the 18th and 19th century Brazilian and South African discoveries was the limited supply, with India having previously been the only noteworthy locality. Today, diamond extraction is primarily associated with Africa, but Russia, Australia and Canada are also important sources for gem-quality material outside De Beers’ sphere of influence.