| | | | | supernovae explosions. Black diamonds were once |
| | | | | the size of asteroids, a kilometer or more in diameter |
| Black diamonds are also called carbonados | | | | when they first landed on Earth. |
| diamonds. The Portuguese in Brazil coined the term | | | | The study published in 2006 analyzed the hydrogen in |
| carbonados in the mid-18th century. It derived from its | | | | black diamond samples using infrared-detection |
| visual similarity to porous charcoal. Black diamonds are | | | | instruments and found that the quantity indicated that |
| found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic. | | | | the mineral formed in a supernova explosion prior to |
| Approximately 600 tons of conventional diamonds | | | | the formation of the Solar System. These diamonds |
| have been mined, traded, polished since 1900. But not a | | | | were formed by carbon-rich cosmic dust in an |
| single black diamond has been discovered in the | | | | environment near carbon stars. The diamonds were |
| world's mining fields. The geological settings where | | | | incorporated into solid bodies that subsequently fell to |
| diamonds are found or mined are virtually identical with | | | | Earth as meteorites. |
| the one exception, the Black Diamond. | | | | Many people around the world consider diamonds |
| Smoke Diamond | | | | great treasures. Some diamonds are found naturally |
| | | | | in a range of colors, and the colors can increase the |
| Diamonds are created by very high heat and | | | | value of the stone because of the rarity of the color. |
| pressure. The only naturally occurring source of this | | | | The colors range from pink to black. Black diamonds |
| type of environment on earth is under the earths | | | | are some of the rarest diamonds in the world. |
| curst. Conventional diamonds are mined from | | | | Black diamonds are not sparkling like those of other |
| explosive volcanic rocks (kimberlites) that transport | | | | colors, but these jewels can make stunning jewelry. |
| them from depths in excess of 100 kilometers by | | | | The value of these beautiful stones and their stunning |
| volcanic action. Where Black Diamonds are found, | | | | appearance make them popular gifts. Jewelry made |
| the geological settings are not compatible with the | | | | with these distinctive jewels have become increasingly |
| formation diamonds. | | | | popular in the last few years. |
| So how are Black Diamonds made? Stephen | | | | The black diamonds have many myths about them |
| Haggerty and Jozsef Garai, both of Florida International | | | | especially in India. Some people believe that these |
| University, believe that Black Diamonds originate in | | | | diamonds resemble the eyes of a snake so they |
| outer space. Black diamonds have been found to | | | | were dedicated to an Indian god. One huge diamond |
| contain trace elements of nitrogen and hydrogen, | | | | made a perfect part for a statue of Buddha because |
| which they claim are sure indicators of an | | | | of the black color. If you really want a piece of |
| extraterrestrial origin. | | | | history then purchase a black diamond because it may |
| New research supports the claim by Haggerty | | | | be as old as the solar system itself. |
| showing that black diamonds formed in stellar | | | | |