If you burn a diamond, it doesn’t melt into liquid like most gemstones — it actually burns into carbon dioxide gas. Here’s what happens:
What happens if you burn a diamond?
1. Diamonds Are Made of Carbon
A diamond is a crystal made entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a very strong structure. Carbon can burn when exposed to enough heat and oxygen.
2. It Needs Very High Heat
A diamond will start to burn at around 700–900°C (1,300–1,650°F) in the presence of oxygen.
Without oxygen, it won’t burn — it may instead turn into graphite at extremely high temperatures.
3. It Turns Into Gas
When it burns, the carbon atoms react with oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide (CO?).
That means the diamond essentially disappears into gas, leaving little to no ash behind.
4. Surface Changes Before Burning
Before fully burning, a diamond may:
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Turn black (due to surface graphitization)
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Lose its shine
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Develop cracks
So Does It Melt?
No — under normal atmospheric conditions, diamonds do not melt.
Instead of melting, they combust (burn) into carbon dioxide.
In short:
If you heat a diamond hot enough in oxygen, it will burn away and vanish as carbon dioxide gas.
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