It is reported frequently that the new carbon phases may be harder than diamond (Wang et al 2004 Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 101 13699 and Mao et al 2003 Science 302 425). However, the mechanism is still unclear. In this paper we systematically investigate the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of the diamond polytypes using first-principles density functional calculations. The results show that the bulk modulus and shear modulus for the hexagonal form of diamond approach those of diamond, suggesting they might be hard and low compressibility materials. According to the semiempirical method for hardness based on the Mulliken overlap population, the hardnesses for hexagonal forms have been evaluated and compared to diamond. The results indicate that these phases are superhard. More importantly, the bonds in some specific directions of the hexagonal phases are harder than those in diamond, which may lead to the noticeable indentation marks on the diamond anvils observed in experiments.