A BIZARRE “diamond within a diamond” has been unearthed in India.
The ultra-rare 0.329-carat gem has been dubbed the “Beating Heart” as it has a small piece of diamond trapped within it.
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It was discovered by the company V D Global in October 2022.
Chairman Vallabh Vaghasiya said: “While examining roughs at our Surat facility, we found this rare piece of diamond that had another smaller piece trapped inside, but moving freely.”
The stone was sent to De Beers Institute of Diamonds in Maidenhead for further analysis.
Its authenticity was confirmed through the use of optical and electron microscopes.
Samantha Sibley, Technical Educator at De Beers Group Ignite, said: “I have certainly never seen anything like the ‘Beating Heart’ during my last 30 years in the diamond sector.
“Using the expertise of De Beers Group, we can shed light onto the formation and structure of this natural specimen and share these insights with a wider community of diamond professionals.”
The institute revealed the diamond is now part of a collection of rare diamonds that includes Matryoshka – the first diamond of its kind to be found, reports the Times of India.
The stunning gem was discovered by miners in Siberia, Russia, in 2019.
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It is believed to have formed around 800 million years ago.
The diamond was dug up by Russian diamond miners Alrosa at the Nyurba mine in Siberia.
Scientists then used x-rays and other scanning techniques to confirm the presence of a second diamond inside the first.
The gem was dubbed the Matryoshka diamond, after the Russian nesting dolls of the same name.
Its outer stone weighs 0.62 carats, while the inner gem weighs 0.02 carats.
Speaking about how it may have formed, a scientist from Alrosa said: “A layer of porous polycrystalline diamond substance was formed inside the diamond because of ultra-fast growth.
“And more aggressive mantle processes subsequently dissolved it.
“Due to the presence of the dissolved layer, one diamond began to move freely inside another – just like a Matryoshka nesting doll.”
Diamonds – the key facts
Here’s what you need to know…
- Diamond is a solid form of carbon
- Its atoms are arranged in a crystal structure known as “diamond cubic”
- Diamonds are known for having the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any natural material
- Their atomical arrangement is also extremely rigid, which makes them less likely to be contaminated by impurities
- Natural diamonads are typically aged between 1billion and 3.5billion years old
- And they will generally form at depths of between 93 and 155 miles
- Many diamonds are carried to the surface in volcanic eruptions, making them easier for humans to find
- Synthetic diamonds can also be produced by applying high pressures and temperatures to high-purity carbon
- Diamond is best known for being a popular and costly gemstone, often used for decorative purposes – including being worn as jewellery
