The decoration was intended for award to members of the South African Defence Force for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour.

[2] The decoration could be awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour.

[2] The Honoris Crux Diamond was a silver-gilt Maltese cross that fits in a circle 45 millimetres in diameter, with two swords in saltire surmounted by a circular protea wreath, the arms of the cross in green enamel, with a roundel in the centre tierced horizontally in the orange, white and blue bands of the national flag, framed in a double circle containing eight diamonds set in green enamel.

Apart from the eight diamonds in the enameled circle, it is identical to the Honoris Crux Gold in all respects.

The Department of Defence donated it to the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg on 21 May 2009.