Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Question:
Why are diamonds classified as minerals?  They come from coal
which comes from prehistoric animals.  The laws of science
say that for a material to mineral, it must be inorganic.
 mike snow

Answer 1:
Diamonds are related to coal since both are composed
largely of carbon atoms, however, diamonds do not come
from coal.  Diamonds are the result of very high heat
and pressure in deep volcanic pipes.
 grant l

Answer 2:
I think the questioner may have been confused about what is inorganic:
chemistry is divided into organic and inorganic chemistry.  Organic
chemistry deals with compounds containing carbon, but carbon (or diamond)
all by itself is not a compound and, hence, belongs in the realms
of inorganic chemistry.  Oops, I didn't mean to mislead the reader:
diamond IS carbon, so is graphite and charcoal.
 
--- Jade