diamond industrial 1998 23 1 d iamond i ndustrial by ronald f balazik domestic survey data and tables were prepared christine k pisut statistical assistant the world production table was glenn j wallace international coordinator may well be s most versatile engineering material as its famous gemstone superiority of in so many diverse applications is attributable to a unique combination properties that cannot matched any other for example strongest hardest known has highest thermal conductivity at room temperature 1995 substance more than twice hard nearest competitors been used since biblical times 2 grinding drilling cutting polishing tool yoder 1994 p 3 today grade ie does not meet gem quality standards color clarity size or shape continues principally an abrasive despite higher cost even though it expensive competing materials proven effective numerous processes because
