Unlocking the Pink Diamond’s Secrets: Scientists Uncover Key Missing Ingredient

“Unveiling the Enigma of Pink Diamonds: Scientists Disclose Crucial Missing Element”

A team of researchers hailing from Curtin University has recently unveiled a pivotal element essential for the formation of pink diamonds. Their discovery was made through an in-depth examination of the Argyle volcano, located in Western Australia. In addition to the prerequisite conditions of deep-seated carbon deposits and the forces generated by tectonic plate collisions, the researchers have identified the third critical ingredient responsible for bringing these coveted pink gems to the Earth’s surface, thereby potentially revolutionizing the quest for fresh diamond deposits on a global scale.

The Role of “Stretching” in the Emergence of Diamonds

While it is a well-established fact that diamonds necessitate the presence of carbon deep within the Earth, and that the pink hue emerges as a result of intense pressure from colliding tectonic plates, this new study has brought to light the importance of a third factor contributing to the appearance of pink diamonds on the surface. This factor pertains to the stretching of continents during continental break-ups, an event that transpired hundreds of millions of years ago.

Dr. Hugo Olierook, the lead researcher affiliated with Curtin’s John de Laeter Centre, elaborated on the significance of this “stretching” phenomenon. It is believed that the stretching of landmasses during ancient continental break-ups created fractures in the Earth’s crust, through which magma laden with diamonds could ascend to the surface. Dr. Olierook explained, “By employing laser beams narrower than the width of a human hair on samples provided by Rio Tinto, we have determined that Argyle’s age is 1.3 billion years, a staggering 100 million years older than previously estimated. This suggests that Argyle likely took shape during the separation of an ancient supercontinent.” He further elucidated that Argyle is situated at the junction where the Kimberley region and the rest of northern Australia collided eons ago, creating a permanent scar on the landscape. This collision-induced stretching, including along the scar, generated fractures in the Earth’s crust that served as conduits for magma, ultimately delivering pink diamonds to the surface.

Dr. Olierook concluded, “As long as these three crucial elements—deep-seated carbon, continental collision, and stretching—are present, we believe there is a possibility of discovering the ‘next Argyle,’ which was once the world’s foremost source of natural diamonds.”

Significance of Argyle in the World of Diamonds

Nevertheless, Dr. Olierook cautioned that despite this newfound understanding, the pursuit of another trove of pink diamonds will not be devoid of challenges. He explained, “Most diamond deposits are typically located within ancient continents since their host volcanoes tend to be exposed at the surface, facilitating discovery. Argyle, however, lies at the intersection of two of these ancient continents, and these boundaries are often concealed beneath layers of sand and soil, leaving the potential for similar pink diamond-bearing volcanoes undiscovered, even within Australia.”

Co-author and principal geologist, Murray Rayner, affiliated with Rio Tinto, underscored the significance of the Argyle volcano. It has been responsible for producing more than 90 percent of the world’s pink diamonds, solidifying its status as an unparalleled source of these rare and highly sought-after gemstones. Rayner noted, “Understanding the age of the Argyle volcano, at 1.3 billion years old, and its location at the point where some of Earth’s earliest continents fragmented, provides invaluable insights into the genesis of these diamonds.”

This groundbreaking research was published in “Nature Communications” under the title “Emplacement of the Argyle diamond deposit into an ancient rift zone triggered by supercontinent breakup.” The study was conducted by a team of scientists affiliated with Curtin University’s John de Laeter Centre, the Timescales of Mineral Systems Group, and the Earth Dynamics Research Group within the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The project received support from AuScope and the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, with funding provided by the Geological Survey of Western Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Diamond Formation

More about Diamond Formation

• Nature Communications – Research Paper
• Curtin University – Official Website
• Geological Survey of Western Australia
• AuScope – Research Infrastructure
• Australian Government – National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy