PINK DIAMONDS
1. Context
Western Australian scientists have recently unearthed a tantalizing story behind the formation of pink diamonds, connecting it to the ancient supercontinent, Nuna, and the mysterious geological activities it experienced over 1.3 billion years ago
2. What is a Pink diamond?
- Pink diamonds are a type of diamond that has a pink color. They are one of the rarest and most expensive types of diamonds in the world. The pink color of a diamond is caused by the presence of trace amounts of manganese in the diamond's crystal structure.
- Pink diamonds, with their mesmerizing hue, are not only rare but also different in nature compared to their blue or yellow counterparts
- While the blue or yellow derive their colors from impurities like nitrogen and boron, the allure of pink diamonds stems from their uniquely bent crystalline structure.
- This very aspect makes them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, with prices for the highest grade reaching into the tens of millions.
3. Where does it found?
Pink diamonds can be found in all of the major diamond-producing countries, but the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia was the largest source of pink diamonds in the world. The Argyle mine closed in 2020, and now pink diamonds are even rarer.
Pink diamonds come in a wide range of shades, from a faint blush to a deep vibrant pink. The more intense the color of the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it is. Pink diamonds can also have secondary hues, such as purple, orange, or brown
4. Indications of Study
Image Source: Geological Survey of Western Australia
- Long before our current continents took shape, Nuna, an ancient supercontinent, graced our planet’s surface. Scientists believe Nuna existed around 1.6 to 2.5 billion years ago, predating even the famous Pangea by a considerable margin
- Researchers actively map Nuna’s formation by piecing together geological and paleomagnetic data. These clues suggest that Nuna brought together fragments of what we now identify as North America, northern Europe, and parts of Siberia.
- What makes Nuna’s story especially captivating is its dynamic nature.
- Throughout its lifespan, the supercontinent experienced multiple cycles of coming together and breaking apart. Each phase of assembly and dispersal reshaped the Earth’s surface. These changes gave rise to new geological formations, laying the groundwork for subsequent continents
- One of the most intriguing findings about Nuna lies in its connection to Earth’s atmospheric evolution. As Nuna formed, volcanic activities increased.
- These volcanoes released vast amounts of carbon dioxide, playing a pivotal role in shaping the planet’s early atmospheric conditions and potentially influencing the course of life.
Source: Earth
