As a circular saw blade used for grinding or sawing hard materials, diamond blade is commonly used in the construction industry for building, remodeling and repairs.

When grinding hard materials, a diamond blade with a soft bond would be needed. This means the metallic powders in the segments (teeth) of the diamond blade wear fast enough to release old, dull crystals, exposing new diamond at the edges to continue cutting efficiently.

Inversely, to cut a soft abrasive material like asphalt or freshly poured concrete, you would need to use a diamond blade with a hard bond so that the segments do not wear down prematurely and the blade is not put to waste. Diamond is especially suited to cut highly abrasive materials, such as ceramics.

Since diamond saw blades cut by sort of "grinding" into the material and are not recommended for hi speed usage, they are not as dangerous as metal saws with teeth. Nonetheless, care must be taken not to abuse that fact specially with older or damaged blades, who may be  more dangerous because they are chipped or rusted rather than because they are made out of diamond.