Ballas

Description

Small, imperfectly crystallized pieces of Diamond. Ballas stones are rounded with no distinct cleavage. They are extremely hard and tough. Ballas is mined in Brazil and South Africa. The industrial grade diamond is primarily used as an abrasive.

Synonyms and Related Terms

shot bort; industrial grade diamond

Physical and Chemical Properties

Composition	C
Mohs Hardness	10

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Resources and Citations

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Britannica-Online Comment: "industrial diamond" [Accessed March 4, 2002].