Diamond Research Gives Clues to the Formation of the ContinentsDiamonds, long prized for their beauty and rarity, continue to reveal clues about the early history of our planet. To better understand how the most ancient continents came to be, researchers examined tiny mineral remnants trapped in diamonds during the formation of the earth. The results were published in Science magazine, in the article Sulfur Isotopes in Diamonds Reveal Differences in Continent Construction by GIA research scientist Karen Smit; Steven B. Shirey and the late Erik H. Hauri of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution for Science; and Richard A. Stern, a research scientist at the University of Alberta.
“Diamonds are one of the most valuable gems, not only as jewelry but also in geoscience,” said GIA research scientist Dr. Karen Smit, the lead author of the recently published article in Science. “The mineral inclusions in diamonds let us study the inaccessible depths of Earth – somewhere that today’s science cannot otherwise reach.”
The researchers examined diamonds from the Zimmi mining area near the Libera-Sierra Leone border, which is known for producing yellow diamonds. The Zimmi diamonds are classified as Type Ib diamonds because they have rare nitrogen impurities. Type Ib diamonds are exceptionally rare in nature, accounting for less than 0.1% of natural diamonds mined worldwide. By laser-cutting and polishing very thin plates from the Zimmi diamonds, the researchers were able to isolate and study sulphide inclusions, extracting chemical isotopes that offered clues to when the diamonds – and the deepest and oldest parts of the continents – formed.
“This kind of insight is possible only because of the unique characteristics of diamonds,” said Dr. Wuyi Wang, GIA vice president of research and development. “GIA’s significant investment in research, unique access to rare diamonds and the outstanding collaboration with the Carnegie Institution and the University of Alberta made this significant discovery possible.”
A summary of the Science article is available here.
GIA has more than 60 years of continuous research on diamonds, colored gems and pearls as part of its mission to protect consumers and ensure their trust in gems and jewelry. The sustained research effort – with more than 60 full-time researchers, 22 with Ph.D.s – yields findings that reach a global audience though Gems &
Gemology, GIA’s quarterly professional journal; the Institute’s website, GIA.edu, where all G&G articles are available at no cost; and the many scientific journals and conferences where GIA researchers share their findings. This research supports the Institute’s industry-leading gemology education offerings, and the identification and grading services of its gemological laboratories.
[Pictured: Rough diamond from Zimmi in West Africa, near the Sierra Leone-Libera border. It contains a sulfide inclusion with compositions that give clues to how the West African continent formed. Photo by Karen Smit/GIA]
About GIA
Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute, GIA is the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry. Students around the globe turn to GIA for the knowledge, skills, and credentials that launch successful gem and jewelry careers. The world leader in gemological research, GIA’s breakthrough discoveries deepen our understanding of gemstones and the world. Through research, education, and unbiased gem grading and analysis, GIA strives to protect the gem and jewelry buying public by setting global quality standards. For more information, please visit www.gia.edu.
