The Diamond Sharks are the only Clan to have changed identity, and therefore also to have changed the insignia under which they fight. Fortunately, the Clan's previous totem -- the sea fox -- was also an ocean-born predator and so the Clan’s colors, uniforms, and rank insignia underwent only minor alterations.
The Sea Fox standard displayed a sea fox performing the bow that had caught the interest of Nicholas Kerensky, set over a simple red tri-arrow design that represented the three cardinal points of a Sea Fox warrior: strength, skill, and nobility.
Even with the rise of Clan Diamond Shark, many wanted to keep their ties to Sea Fox. The new Clan standard therefore kept the red tri-arrow, as a reminder to temper the diamond shark’s ferocity with the sea fox’s nobility. A leaping shark, colored as if made of gray marble, replaced the sea fox. The new insignia also overlaid a large diamond on the tri-arrow, reinforcing the shark’s invulnerability. This insignia is displayed on all war machines in the Clan Touman. Galaxy insignias may also be painted on a ’Mech or fighter, but always lower and smaller than the Clan insignia. Cluster insignia may be placed anywhere, but must be smaller than the Galaxy design.
Diamond Shark color schemes resemble those of Clan Sea Fox, always including some mix of blues or greens. Warriors with at least one confirmed kill may paint shark-like teeth in an appropriate place: the nose of a fighter, cockpit of a ’Mech, front of a vehicle or frontplate of battle armor.
In another significant difference from most Clans, units in Clan Diamond Shark no longer relate their histories or traditions back to pre-Second Exodus times. Following the writings of Karen Nagasawa, Diamond Shark warriors abandoned previous allegiances and battle histories lest they cause old rivalries to flare again. The oldest Cluster and Galaxy histories begin with their formation on Strana Mechty, and their first battle in the Babylon campaign of Operation Klondike.
Full ceremonial uniforms employ a gray leather, backed by black silk and accented by swaths dyed deep blue or green. Enameled masks are shaped like the head of a shark with sharp, white teeth. Warriors may stud a ceremonial uniform appropriate gems, such as green emeralds or blue sapphires. A rarely used ceremonial battle uniform, worn during Trials of Bloodright, cuts the traditional ceremonial uniform along the lines best suited to each type of warrior. Warriors are encouraged to wear a weapon of their choice with ceremonial uniforms, signifying a constant state of readiness for battle.
The basic colors of the dress uniform, introduced in 3060, are dark blue and green. Black is used as an accent color in piping that rides up the legs and then angles out over the abdomen and chest to the shoulders. Trousers fall easily; sleeves are slightly bloused from the shoulder and tight at the wrist. The uniform includes a detachable half-cape in a wash of blue and green, stylized to look like rolling surf. Black leather boots, belt and gloves complete the outfit. Merchants may wear a version of the dress uniform, with no piping or cape.
The undress utility uniform is a dark blue jumpsuit with green trimmings, reinforced at the shoulders, elbows, and knees for durability. A knife is worn with both the dress and utility undress uniform, battle readiness giving way only slightly to formality and practicality.
Field uniforms feature a double-breasted jacket of durable material, pants reinforced for rugged duty, and a helmet. The outfit follows the blue-with-green-trim color scheme of the utility undress uniform. Battledress is Clan-standard, in the same blue-green colors. Sidearms and knives are worn with both of these uniforms.
The Diamond Shark Clan standard is worn as a patch on the right shoulder of all uniforms save for the two ceremonial outfits. Any awards or decorations are worn on the left breast when appropriate. Daggerstars denoting warrior type are worn as cufflinks with the dress uniform, and as a patch on the right breast of utility and field uniforms. Diamond-shaped rank insignia are worn on the collar. For Point One through Point Five of a Star, the diamonds are green, etched with the silhouette of a shark; a silver star is added for every rank level above Point One. Point Commanders wear a blue diamond with the etched shark silhouette. The blue diamond is etched with a gold star for each successive rank level up to Galaxy Commander. SaKhan and Khan each wear a blue diamond overlaid with a stylized version of the diamond shark, the saKhan’s in silver and the Khan’s in gold.
Traditionally, a new Khan must take an offering of food to the Clan’s totem in the oceans of Strana Mechty. Where the offering to a sea fox paid homage to its nobility, the offering to the diamond shark is a reminder to attack with terrifying speed and power when the time is right. Some Clans, with rituals that involve hunting, trapping, or living through an encounter with their namesake totem, have criticized the Sharks on the Chatterweb for not undergoing such a ritual. In a reply that silenced most critics, Khan Sennet said, “Perhaps you wish to indulge in madness. We prefer not to. The diamond shark is a killer. Never forget that.”
The Diamond Sharks traditionally
hand out two decorations within their own Clan. The first, the Diamond
Fin, is an exquisite diamond in a setting molded like a shark fin. Worn
as an earring or a ring, it is awarded by the merchant caste to anyone who
enhances the Clans profits. The second award is the Deathstrike, named
for Alpha Galaxy, from which the decoration originally came. The award
is a small pin shaped like a shark's tooth, with one edge enameled in red,
worn on the left breast. It is awarded to warriors who can claim three
times their own machine’s tonnage in solo kills in the same battle,
or to surviving Elementals when a single Point takes down more than fifty
tons of BattleMechs without assistance.