A fascinating discovery has emerged from one of the world’s largest diamond mines, revealing that diamonds can do more than dazzle—they can act as time capsules from the Earth’s deepest layers. This story centers on a rare mineral encased in a diamond, a substance that could never survive on the planet’s surface without its protective casing.
A Diamond with Hidden Secrets
In the 1980s, miners in Botswana’s Orapa mine stumbled upon what seemed to be an underwhelming diamond. Its greenish hue and black inclusions made it far from a jeweler’s ideal. Decades later, however, these imperfections were found to be invaluable, containing mineral fragments from Earth’s lower mantle.
A Journey from the Depths of the Earth
These mineral flecks, identified as calcium silicate perovskite, originate from between 410 and 560 miles beneath Earth’s surface. This makes the diamond a “super-deep” gem, strong enough to carry its cargo to the surface without losing its integrity, an extraordinary geological feat.
A Mineral Too Fragile for Surface Conditions
Calcium silicate perovskite only forms under extreme conditions, requiring pressures around 20 gigapascals, equivalent to nearly 200,000 times atmospheric pressure. Outside of these high-pressure environments, the mineral disintegrates almost instantly, making natural samples a rarity—until now.
Diamonds as Natural Preservation Capsules
Scientists discovered that the diamond acted as a natural protective shell, maintaining the mineral’s integrity. When researchers cracked the diamond open, the mineral momentarily stayed intact before expanding and collapsing under the microscope, transforming into glass.
Naming the Newly Discovered Mineral
The newly identified mineral was named “davemaoite” in honor of Ho-Kwang “Dave” Mao, a pioneering geologist who developed methods to replicate mantle-like pressures in laboratories. Davemaoite is a significant find because it plays a key role in Earth’s structure by hosting elements like uranium and thorium, which generate heat through radioactive decay.
A Glimpse into the Earth’s Lower Mantle
Scientists estimate that davemaoite comprises 5 to 7 percent of Earth’s lower mantle. Its discovery provides critical insights into the planet’s inner workings, particularly its ability to produce and store heat, making it a cornerstone of geological research.
Challenges of Finding Super-Deep Diamonds
The rarity of such discoveries lies in the challenge of locating super-deep diamonds. These gems form under extreme conditions, and there’s no easy way to predict where they might surface, leaving researchers reliant on chance.
The Value of Imperfections
Geochemists see the imperfections in diamonds as treasures, providing a glimpse into Earth’s inaccessible depths. What jewelers may dismiss as flaws are invaluable tools for scientists studying the planet’s evolution.
Conclusion: Diamonds as Geological Time Capsules
This discovery highlights the incredible journey of a diamond, not just as a gemstone but as a carrier of Earth’s secrets. Encasing minerals from the planet’s core, diamonds provide a rare window into processes that occur hundreds of miles below the surface. While hunting for super-deep diamonds remains a challenge, their potential to reveal more about Earth’s structure and history is an exciting frontier for science.
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