Is this jet-black stone a piece of outer space?
In short: Known as carbonados, these opaque, hole-filled black diamonds defy standard classification. While most diamonds are single crystals, these are interlocking networks of crystals. Their origins remain a geological mystery, with some scientists suggesting they may have arrived on Earth from outer space rather than forming in our mantle.
Carbonados, or black diamonds, possess a unique combination of physical and chemical features that distinguish them from traditional gem diamonds. Unlike the single crystals used in jewelry, carbonados consist of an interlocking network of crystals. This structure provides extraordinary resistance to fracturing under pressure, making them highly valuable as industrial abrasives for drill bits and grinding wheels. This unique composition makes them incredibly tough. Consequently, they are frequently utilized for sharpening various tools.
Only two locations globally yield these stones: Brazil and the Central African Republic. Because the carbonados in these two locations are so similar in minute details, mineralogists like Peter Heaney of Pennsylvania State University suggest they must be related. This has fueled a long-simmering debate regarding their origin. While geologists cannot say for certain if they crystallized in Earth’s mantle or fell from outer space, the controversial theory of an extraterrestrial origin remains a major point of discussion. The similarity between these distant sites is striking. This connection implies a shared history for these minerals.
Recent high-profile sales have brought these mysteries to the forefront. The Enigma, a 555.55-carat black diamond roughly the size of a racquetball, recently sold for a final bid of $4.28 million. This stone was certified as a natural carbonado by the Gemological Institute of America. Another massive specimen, the 3,167-carat Brazilian carbonado known as Sergio, holds the distinction of being the largest diamond ever found. These stones formed during a mysterious period between approximately 3.8 and 2.6 billion years ago. The Enigma's sale has reignited intense scientific debate. This massive stone is nearly as large as a racquetball.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Strange Mystery of the Black Diamond
- Also: This huge black diamond just sold for $4.3 million. No one knows where it came from. | National Geographic
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