The only difference between an industrial diamond and any other kind of diamond is that the industrial diamond is of an inferior grade. If it were of perfect quality, beautiful in color and without a flaw, the diamond would, of course, be used in jewelry, where it brings higher prices.

It may seem astonishing to you that something as precious as a diamond is used in industry at all, but the diamond has been called the “emperor of industry!”

Our word “diamond” comes from the Greek word adamas, which means “unconquerable.” A diamond is truly unconquerable, for nothing in the world can cut it—except another diamond!

So three fourths of all diamonds that are found don’t go into jewelry at all. They are used in industry. And they are used because of their extreme hardness. For instance, about 20 per cent of all industrial diamonds are mounted in drills and used by mining companies to drill through rock.

Diamonds are crushed to dust and this diamond dust is used in making diamond-grinding wheels. These wheels sharpen certain tools and also grind lenses. Other diamonds are used in dies. Without diamonds, some of our most important industries would have to shut down.