Coal vs. Diamond — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 17, 2024
Coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily as fuel, whereas a diamond is a clear, precious gemstone formed from pure carbon under extreme pressure and heat.
Difference Between Coal and Diamond
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock primarily composed of carbon, used mainly as a fuel source for generating electricity and heat. It forms from the accumulation and physical and chemical transformation of plant material over millions of years under conditions of high pressure and heat in Earth's crust. Diamonds, on the other hand, are highly valued gemstones composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure. They form under extreme pressure and high temperatures deep within the Earth's mantle and are known for their exceptional hardness and brilliance.
Coal is predominantly used for industrial purposes, including electricity generation and steel production. It is relatively abundant and cheaper compared to other energy sources. In contrast, diamonds are rare and expensive, often used in jewelry and cutting tools due to their hardness.
Coal formation occurs over geological timescales from the remains of ancient vegetation, compressed and heated over millions of years. Diamonds also take millions of years to form but require much higher temperatures and pressures found deep within the Earth's mantle.
In terms of environmental impact, coal mining and burning contribute significantly to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, diamond mining, while also environmentally impactful, mainly affects ecosystems through land disruption rather than emissions.
Coal is opaque and usually found in large, relatively amorphous lumps, whereas diamonds are transparent or translucent with a crystalline structure, often cut and polished to enhance their natural sparkle and clarity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Composition
Primarily carbon, with impurities
Pure carbon in a crystal lattice
Formation
From plant material under pressure/heat
Under extreme pressure/heat in mantle
Appearance
Black/brownish, opaque
Transparent, crystalline
Uses
Fuel for electricity, industrial processes
Jewelry, cutting tools
Value
Based on energy content
Based on rarity, beauty, hardness
Environmental Impact
High pollution and emissions
Land disruption, mining impact
Abundance
Relatively abundant
Rare
Industrial Importance
High for energy production
Limited to specific applications
Compare with Definitions
Coal
A combustible material used for heating and industrial purposes.
They used coal to heat their home in the winter.
Diamond
A precious gemstone formed from pure carbon under extreme conditions.
The diamond in her ring sparkled in the light.
Coal
A black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily as fuel.
The power plant relies on coal to generate electricity.
Diamond
The hardest known natural material, used in jewelry and cutting tools.
Industrial diamonds are used to cut and polish other hard materials.
Coal
A fossil fuel formed from ancient plant material.
Coal mining is a significant industry in many parts of the world.
Diamond
A crystal lattice structure that makes it exceptionally hard and durable.
The diamond's hardness makes it ideal for high-precision cutting tools.
Coal
A carbon-rich rock used in steel production.
Coking coal is essential for making steel.
Diamond
Diamond is a form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. At room temperature and pressure, another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon, but diamond almost never converts to it.
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Diamond
A precious stone consisting of a clear and colourless crystalline form of pure carbon, the hardest naturally occurring substance
A diamond ring
Coal
A combustible black or dark brown rock consisting chiefly of carbonized plant matter, found mainly in underground seams and used as fuel
A coal fire
Two bags of coal
Diamond
A figure with four straight sides of equal length forming two opposite acute angles and two opposite obtuse angles; a rhombus
A sweater with a pale-blue diamond pattern
Coal
Provide with a supply of coal
Ships had to be coaled and supplied
Diamond
An extremely hard, highly refractive crystalline form of carbon that is usually colorless and is used as a gemstone and in abrasives, cutting tools, and other applications.
Coal
A natural dark brown to black graphitelike material used as a fuel, formed from fossilized plants and consisting of amorphous carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds.
Diamond
A piece of jewelry containing such a gemstone.
Coal
A piece of this substance.
Diamond
A rhombus, particularly when oriented so that one diagonal extends from left to right and the other diagonal extends from top to bottom.
Coal
A glowing or charred piece of solid fuel.
Diamond
A red, lozenge-shaped figure on certain playing cards.
Coal
Charcoal.
Diamond
A playing card with this figure.
Coal
To burn (a combustible solid) to a charcoal residue.
Diamond
Diamonds (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The suit of cards represented by this figure.
Coal
To provide with coal.
Diamond
The infield.
Coal
To take on coal.
Diamond
The whole playing field.
Coal
(uncountable) A black or brownish black rock formed from prehistoric plant remains, composed largely of carbon and burned as a fuel.
The coal in this region was prized by ironmasters in centuries past, who mined it in the spots where the drainage methods of the day permitted.
Diamond
Of or relating to a 60th or 75th anniversary.
Coal
(countable) A type of coal, such as bituminous, anthracite, or lignite, and grades and varieties thereof, as a fuel commodity ready to buy and burn.
Put some coal on the fire.
Order some coal from the coalyard.
Diamond
To adorn with diamonds.
Coal
(countable) A piece of coal used for burning this use is less common in American English
Put some coals on the fire.
Diamond
(uncountable) A glimmering glass-like mineral that is an allotrope of carbon in which each atom is surrounded by four others in the form of a tetrahedron. Category:en:Carbon
The saw is coated with diamond.
Coal
(countable) A glowing or charred piece of coal, wood, or other solid fuel.
Just as the camp-fire died down to just coals, with no flames to burn the marshmallows, someone dumped a whole load of wood on, so I gave up and went to bed.
Diamond
A gemstone made from this mineral.
The dozen loose diamonds sparkled in the light.
Coal
Charcoal.
Diamond
A ring containing a diamond.
What a beautiful engagement diamond.
Coal
(intransitive) To take on a supply of coal (usually of steam ships).
Diamond
A very pale blue color.
Coal
(transitive) To supply with coal.
To coal a steamer
Diamond
Something that resembles a diamond.
Coal
(intransitive) To be converted to charcoal.
Diamond
(geometry) A rhombus, especially when oriented so that its longer axis is vertical.
Coal
(transitive) To burn to charcoal; to char.
Diamond
(geometry) The polyiamond made up of two triangles.
Coal
(transitive) To mark or delineate with charcoal.
Diamond
(baseball) The entire field of play used in the game.
Coal
A thoroughly charred, and extinguished or still ignited, fragment from wood or other combustible substance; charcoal.
Diamond
(baseball) The infield of a baseball field.
The teams met on the diamond.
Coal
A black, or brownish black, solid, combustible substance, dug from beds or veins in the earth to be used for fuel, and consisting, like charcoal, mainly of carbon, but more compact, and often affording, when heated, a large amount of volatile matter.
Diamond
(card games) A card of the diamonds suit.
I have only one diamond in my hand.
Coal
To burn to charcoal; to char.
Charcoal of roots, coaled into great pieces.
Diamond
A size of type, standardised as 2 point.
Coal
To mark or delineate with charcoal.
Diamond
The size of type between brilliant and pearl, standardized as 2-point.
Coal
To supply with coal; as, to coal a steamer.
Diamond
Made of, or containing diamond, a diamond or diamonds.
He gave her diamond earrings.
Coal
To take in coal; as, the steamer coaled at Southampton.
Diamond
Of, relating to, or being a sixtieth anniversary.
Today is their diamond wedding anniversary.
Coal
Fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
Diamond
Of, relating to, or being a seventy-fifth anniversary.
Today is their diamond wedding anniversary.
Coal
A hot glowing or smouldering fragment of wood or coal left from a fire
Diamond
(slang) First-rate; excellent.
He's a diamond geezer.
Coal
Burn to charcoal;
Without a drenching rain, the forest fire will char everything
Diamond
To adorn with or as if with diamonds
Coal
Supply with coal
Diamond
A precious stone or gem excelling in brilliancy and beautiful play of prismatic colors, and remarkable for extreme hardness.
Coal
Take in coal;
The big ship coaled
Diamond
A geometrical figure, consisting of four equal straight lines, and having two of the interior angles acute and two obtuse; a rhombus; a lozenge.
Coal
A resource with significant environmental impact due to its combustion.
Burning coal releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
Diamond
One of a suit of playing cards, stamped with the figure of a diamond.
Diamond
A pointed projection, like a four-sided pyramid, used for ornament in lines or groups.
Diamond
The infield; the square space, 90 feet on a side, having the bases at its angles.
Diamond
The smallest kind of type in English printing, except that called brilliant, which is seldom seen.
Diamond
Resembling a diamond; made of, or abounding in, diamonds; as, a diamond chain; a diamond field.
Diamond
A transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
Diamond
Very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
Diamond
A playing card in the minor suit of diamonds
Diamond
The area of a baseball field that is enclosed by 3 bases and home plate
Diamond
The baseball playing field
Diamond
A symbol of luxury and wealth, often found in engagement rings.
Diamonds are often given as gifts to symbolize enduring love.
Diamond
A rare and valuable mineral formed deep within the Earth.
The process of mining diamonds can be environmentally and socially controversial.
Common Curiosities
What is a diamond?
A diamond is a precious gemstone made of pure carbon, known for its hardness and brilliance.
What is the environmental impact of diamond mining?
Diamond mining primarily affects land and ecosystems through disruption and sometimes ethical concerns.
How are coal and diamonds formed?
Coal forms from plant material under pressure and heat over millions of years, while diamonds form under extreme pressure and temperature in the Earth's mantle.
What is coal?
Coal is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of carbon, used as a fuel source.
What are the main uses of diamonds?
Diamonds are used in jewelry and cutting tools due to their hardness and beauty.
What is the value of coal based on?
The value of coal is based on its energy content and industrial utility.
What are the main uses of coal?
Coal is primarily used for generating electricity, heating, and in industrial processes like steel production.
Can coal be turned into diamonds?
Technically, yes, through artificial processes using extreme pressure and heat, but it is not practical for commercial purposes.
What is the environmental impact of coal?
Coal mining and burning contribute significantly to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Why are diamonds more expensive than coal?
Diamonds are rare and valued for their beauty and hardness, whereas coal is more abundant and primarily valued for its energy content.
Why are diamonds used in cutting tools?
Diamonds are the hardest natural material, making them ideal for cutting and grinding.
Why is coal important for industry?
Coal is a major source of energy and an essential raw material for steel production.
What is the value of diamonds based on?
The value of diamonds is based on their rarity, beauty, and hardness.
Which is more abundant, coal or diamonds?
Coal is more abundant compared to diamonds, which are rare.
What are the physical differences between coal and diamonds?
Coal is black or brownish and opaque, while diamonds are transparent or translucent with a crystalline structure.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Gradient vs. Jacobian
Next Comparison
Worship vs. VenerationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
