Rare black diamonds may have come from space

[FLO]

Black diamonds found in only a few places on Earth may have crashed down from space in a kilometre-sized rock, according to new research.

The diamonds, also called carbonado, are only found in Brazil and the Central African Republic. Unlike other diamonds, they are made of millions of diamond crystals that are stuck together.

They are also porous, which is a puzzle. Scientists say it would have been difficult for gas to become trapped in rocks at depths of about 200 kilometres below the Earth's surface. The intense pressure there turns carbon into conventional diamonds.

Source: New Scientist

http://tinyurl.com/2lz4w3

[Andrew*]

Fascinating. But a kilmetre-sized rock is absolutely massive for a meteor. An impact of something that size would probably wipe out most of the life in Britain!

The intense pressure there turns carbon into conventional diamonds.

I like that! Conventional boring old diamonds!

Andrew