Scientists discover strange diamond from 4.5 billion years ago

Scientists believe Lonsdaleite was replaced by diamond we see today when planet's temperature cooled and pressure lowered

By Web Desk
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September 19, 2022
Professor Andy Tomkins, left, from Monash University with RMIT University PhD scholar Alan Salek and a ureilite meteor sample. — CNN viaRMIT University

Scientists from the UK and Australia revealed that they have found a diamond from a dwarf planet on Earth.

Andy Tomkins, a geologist and professor at Monash University in Australia, found the strangely "bent" space rock when he was working on categorising meteorites, according to the co-author of the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,Alan Salek.

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Further investigation revealed that the part of the diamond was actually a rare hexagonal stone called lonsdaleite.

Lonsdaleite is believed to be produced under moderate pressure and high temperature. Scientists believed that it was replaced by a diamond when the planet's temperature cooled.

In an article published by RMIT University, experts said they believe that a dwarf planet as small as an asteroid collided with the Earth over 4 billion years ago.

The collision gave birth to a unique hexagonal structure which makes it even harder than most diamonds on Earth. Our diamonds have a cubic structure.

Experts believe that the diamond is not a jewel but could actually b used to make tiny machine parts.

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