Diamonds are used for a variety of purposes, but their primary uses are:
Jewelry:
* Engagement rings: Diamonds are the traditional choice for engagement rings, symbolizing love, commitment, and permanence.
* Other jewelry: Diamonds are also used in necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other pieces of jewelry.
Industrial Applications:
* Cutting tools: Diamonds are extremely hard and wear-resistant, making them ideal for cutting tools used in manufacturing, construction, and other industries.
* Drilling bits: Diamond-tipped drill bits are used for drilling through hard materials like concrete and rock.
* Scientific instruments: Diamonds are used in scientific instruments like high-pressure cells and X-ray detectors.
* Optical applications: Diamonds have a high refractive index, making them useful in optical applications like lasers and microscopes.
Other uses:
* Investment: Diamonds are sometimes seen as an investment, although their value can fluctuate.
* Collectibles: Large, high-quality diamonds can be valuable collectibles.
It's important to note that the vast majority of diamonds mined are used for jewelry purposes. Industrial applications represent a smaller but still significant proportion of diamond use.