A method for improving the thermal characteristics of cement compositions is provided in which fine resilient graphitic carbon particles ("RGC") are substituted for a portion of the fine aggregate (typically send) in the cement formulation. For the purposes of the present disclosure, "fine" is intended to describe particulates having a mesh size of less than about 8 mesh, or a particle size of less than about 2.38 mm, or, more preferably when referring to RGC, a mesh size of less than about 16 mesh and a particle size of less than about 1.19 mm. "Resilient" is intended to describe graphitic carbon particles that exhibit a rebound of at least about 20% after compression to 10,000 psi.