Description: The carbonado specimen is a fascinating object with a mysterious extraterrestrial origin. Unlike traditional meteorites, this unique specimen is believed to be related to a star explosion from another solar system, specifically known as a Supernova. Scientifically, carbonado is a form of diamond that is distinct due to its large, irregularly shaped structure, often referred to as "black diamonds." Researchers and scientists are still actively debating the precise origins of carbonado. The circumstances surrounding its formation, possibly within the remnants of a distant supernova explosion, make it an intriguing subject of study within the field of astrochemistry and astrophysics. The specimen obtained by Blaine Reed weighs 0.584 grams and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) card and a display case. Its rarity, coupled with its potential extraterrestrial origins, adds to its value and intrigue in both scientific and collector communities. Further research and analysis of carbonado specimens like this one can provide valuable insights into the mysteries of our universe and the processes that shape celestial bodies beyond our own solar system. Extraterrestrial origin hypothesis Supporters of an extraterrestrial origin of carbonados such as Stephen Haggerty propose that their material source was a supernova which occurred at least 3.8 billion years ago. After coalescing and drifting through outer space for about one and a half billion years, a large mass fell to earth as a meteorite approximately 2.3 billion years ago. It possibly fragmented during entry into the Earth's atmosphere and impacted in a region which would much later split into Brazil and the Central African Republic, assumed to be the only two known locations of carbonado-diamond deposits. The presence of osbornite, which only forms under very reducing conditions and at very high temperatures, argues for an extraterrestrial origin. Carbonado diamonds are a rare and unusual variety of industrial diamond. They are composed almost entirely of microcrystalline diamonds in random crystallographic orientations. When found in the field, they look nothing like any other type of diamond. They are dark, opaque, porous, and often display a subtle luster. They were first recognized as a type of diamond in 1841 by Portuguese prospectors in Brazil who called them carbonado because they look like tiny pieces of charcoal. How Does Carbonado Form? The origin of carbonado diamond is poorly understood. A number of hypotheses have been advanced by a variety of researchers, but none of them have obtained wide acceptance. A generalized list of the hypothetical processes is given below. (A) Shock metamorphism at asteroid impact sites (B) High temperature/pressure growth in Earth's mantle (C) Conversion of carbon in subduction zones (D) Radiation induced creation in Earth's mantle (E) Formation in space, then a delivery to Earth Physical Properties of Carbonado Many properties of carbonado are determined by its occurrence as a microcrystalline aggregate. As a result it does not show the familiar octahedral, cubic or dodecahedral crystal forms displayed by other varieties of diamond. Crystal forms are hidden within the microcrystalline aggregate. The crystals are also interlocking and in random crystallographic orientations, so cleavage and a uniform hardness throughout the specimen is not observed. Carbonado might also have a pitted surface and an internal porosity of up to ten percent or more. These properties are unexpected for any type of diamond. If carbonado is used as a scratching or cutting tool, the hardest microcrystal in contact with the object being scratched or cut will determine the effective hardness of the carbonado. As a result, carbonado can be tougher and have a higher apparent hardness when compared with single-crystal diamond abrasives. Perhaps the diamonds formed on carbon-rich stars or planets, bits of which were carried to Earth in meteorites during a period between 4 and 3.8 billion years ago when space rocks regularly pelted our planet. Stephen Haggerty, a diamond geophysicist at Florida International University, initially proposed this extraterrestrial origin at the 1996 conference of the American Geophysical Unionand he still vehemently contends this is the only logical explanation for the carbonado's many curiosities.
Price: 350 USD
Location: Riverside, California
End Time: 2024-08-25T01:16:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: 9 USD
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