Diamond dwarves' main aetherial power grants are their ability to see in the dark, their ability to sense gems, and their skill with jewel cutting. They are also skilled miners, but not as much so as flint dwarves. Because diamond dwarves are beings of both mashoaab and earthpower, they naturally accumulate both when working with gemstones or tin, or in mines. They gain some other powers from this, including appraisal skill, commercial acumen, moving through stone, and stone shaping, but unlike other dwarves, they must expend their powers or become overwhelmed by greed. As such, diamond dwarves only gain up to two powers. If they gain a third, they must use it up or suffer.

All dwarves are known for their steady feet, their inborn toughness, and their shrewdness.

Diamond dwarves focus their communities on the building of resources. Master tinsmiths and gem-cutters, they know that these crafts are community resources, and they revere those who do them well. However, it is the value this has to the community that comes first. If a diamond dwarven master is found to be hoarding their resources or denying the community the right to their support, they are in violation of ancient laws and banished from the community. These misers are forbidden to practice their craft in the nations of diamond dwarves.

Diamond dwarves live in large families, usually with multiple generations and many branches in the same buildings. Elders are respected as leaders, and usually, every family elects one elder to represent them in local councils. These councils elect representatives to the parliament, which supports the thane. The thane selects (usually from powerful families) a group of dwarves to support him in his own council. At most times, parliament and the thane's council are at odds. In times of crisis, the thane has absolute control; in times of secession, the thane's council votes on the new thane.

In support of all of these is the bureaucracy, which holds sway over businesses and crafts, determining how much of what mine is owned by what group. By law, the thane and his council cannot own any mines, while members of parliament may only own a small percentage of a small number of mines. Workers, craftsmen, traders, and the temples are the main owners, though the temples usually settle for no ownership if a tithe is paid every year from the mines.

Families encourage children to learn how to do what they are best at, for that is what will best support the family and the community. Children are taught how to work from an early age, and by the time they are old enough for school, they are usually ready to go to one of a few specialized schools. Many students transfer between schools, however, as they grow and learn. It is relatively rare for someone to be at the same school their entire career. By the time of graduation, students are recruited into various unions, guilds, or associations for their chosen profession.