As a materials science expert with extensive knowledge in the properties of various materials, I can tell you that while diamonds are one of the hardest known natural materials, there are a few substances that are considered stronger or harder in specific contexts.

Graphene, for instance, is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. It is not only the thinnest known material but also one of the strongest and most conductive. It has been measured to have a tensile strength 130 times greater than the strongest steel.

Another contender is Wurtzite Boron Nitride, which has a structure similar to graphene but with boron and nitrogen atoms instead of carbon. It is considered to be harder than diamond and is also an excellent insulator.

Additionally, there are synthetic materials like Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN), which is synthesized in a lab and is known to be almost as hard as diamond, and in some cases, it can be slightly harder.

Lastly, there are advanced materials under development, such as Superhard Carbon, which is a phase of carbon that is theorized to be even harder than diamond, although it is not yet commercially available.

To summarize, while diamonds are incredibly strong, there are materials like graphene, wurtzite boron nitride, cubic boron nitride, and potentially superhard carbon that are considered stronger or have the potential to be stronger in certain applications.

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A diamond ring. ... (PhysOrg.com) -- Currently, diamond is regarded to be the hardest known material in the world. But by considering large compressive pressures under indenters, scientists have calculated that a material called wurtzite boron nitride (w-BN) has a greater indentation strength than diamond.read more >>