Diamonds From Space: Meteorites, Diamond Rain and the Future of Gemstones
Yes, there are diamonds in space. Scientists have found a rare hexagonal diamond called lonsdaleite in meteorites, and lab experiments suggest it may rain diamonds deep inside Uranus and Neptune. These space diamonds are microscopic, so for now the diamonds you wear, in New York, Miami or anywhere else, come from the Earth or from a laboratory.
What is a diamond, physically?
A diamond is pure carbon arranged in a very tight crystal lattice. The same carbon, arranged in flat sheets, is graphite, the soft grey material in a pencil. What turns one into the other is pressure and temperature. On Earth, natural diamonds formed deep in the mantle, under enormous pressure, and reached the surface through volcanic eruptions. In space, the same physics can happen in very different places.
What are meteorite diamonds?
Physics World reported on research led by Andy Tomkins at Monash University, with RMIT University, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The team studied ureilites, a rare type of meteorite that probably came from the mantle of an ancient dwarf planet. They found lonsdaleite, a form of diamond whose carbon atoms sit in a hexagonal lattice instead of the usual cubic one, existing as its own material in tiny grains, mixed with ordinary diamond and graphite. Researchers say it could be harder than normal diamond.
The grains are measured in microns. You could not set one in a ring, but the idea that diamonds are being made by collisions between worlds is one of the most beautiful facts I know.
Does it really rain diamonds on Neptune?
It might. Cosmos Magazine reported on an experiment led by Dominik Kraus of Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf, using the X ray laser at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The team hit plastic with shockwaves to imitate conditions inside ice giants, and almost all the carbon atoms formed diamond like structures a few nanometers wide, in a couple of quadrillionths of a second. The work, published in Nature Astronomy, supports the idea of diamond rain more than 8,000 kilometres beneath the surfaces of Uranus and Neptune.
Will we ever wear diamonds from space?
Honestly, not soon. Everything found so far is microscopic, and bringing gem quality material back from space is not something anyone can do today. What has changed is how diamonds are made on Earth:
- Natural diamonds formed in the Earth over billions of years. Every diamond in my collections is natural and earth mined.
- Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, chemically the same, grown in weeks with heat and pressure or with carbon rich gas.
- Space diamonds remain a scientific wonder, and an inspiration.
How does space show up in my jewelry?
The Stellar collection grew out of my fascination with the scale of the universe, and the way the smallest structures echo the largest ones. The Celestial Raw Ring is raw textured 18K solid gold, in white, yellow or rose, or platinum, with earth mined conflict free diamonds scattered like stars. The Stellar Diamond Pendant is a 15 mm medallion in 18K gold set with natural diamonds, a small sky to wear close to your heart.
Margaret Krinetz Fine Jewelry, handmade in Tel Aviv and shipped to New York, Miami and worldwide, makes each of these pieces to order. For a deeper look at the cosmic side of our designs, read Astrophysics in Diamonds.
Frequently asked questions
Are meteorite diamonds used in jewelry?
Not as gemstones. They are microscopic grains studied by scientists.
Are your diamonds natural?
Yes. The diamonds in the Stellar pieces described here are natural, earth mined and conflict free.
How long does delivery take to New York or Miami?
Every piece is made to order in 4 to 6 weeks and ships with DHL Express in 3 to 5 business days. Shipping is free on orders over $1,500.
The universe makes diamonds when worlds collide. Choose one that carries a little of that wonder, and write to me if you want help choosing.