More than 4,000 naturally occurring minerals—inorganic solids ... meaning their appearances vary vastly. Diamonds, made of carbon atoms, are the hardest natural substance found on Earth.

Scientists discovered that the diamond acted as a natural protective shell ... gemstone but as a carrier of Earth's secrets. Encasing minerals from the planet's core, diamonds provide a rare ...

In fact, when it comes to toughness, nephrite jade is the toughest known natural mineral ... “While it is not as hard as some other minerals like diamond, nephrite is made from an interwoven ...