December 2020 - Lab Grown Magazine

December 2020 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 28 To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | December 2020 29 Starry, Starry Night When seeking space objects that have monetary value, staying cool is inherently meaningful. In fact, the cooler the better. Dead stars aren’t bright; they’re dim. They aren’t hot; they’re as cold as they come.These are white dwarf stars and, even though burn- ing at 4,892°F, that is still 5,000 times cooler than the center of our Earth’s sun. Astronomers have theorized that dwarf stars lurk throughout the universe, even though they are quite difficult to detect because they are so faint. Faint, yes; undetectable, no. Scientists have now identified what may be the coolest white dwarf ever dis- covered. This stellar corpse is so cool, its carbon has crystallized, effectively form- ing a diamond the size of the Earth. “This is really remarkable!” stated David Kaplan, a professor at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, part of an audience of millions listening to the now historic National Astronomy Observatory podcast. And if diamonds the size of the Earth can be formed from dying stars, maybe one day we might discover a diamond planet. Well, that day came. It was August 30, 2004. The Diamond Planet: 55 Cancri e The diamond planet exists and is also known as Janssen , or to the deep-science community: 55 Cancri e. (That’s right, with a space before the final e .) Whatever you call it, this is one scalding hot topic. The planet’s surface is molten and mirrors a burning horizon. Soaring around the sun-like orb are silicates (atoms of silicon and oxygen with potassium, sodium, or calcium) that condense into tiny, shiny particles making this planet’s sky sparkle. But the real bright spot on this 3,900°F exoplanet lies below its bubbling crust.There you’ll find pure, solid, white, Type IIa dia- monds. Eons from now, the entire planet may be solid diamond. But for now, we’ll have to settle for about one-third of this cosmic mass offering miles of deep, pure, glistening—but utterly untouchable—diamonds. Scientists have long suspected that at least some diamonds found on Earth hail from the heavens. Shown here is the evolution of the "Diamond Planet" in about 12 million years, showing that its surface will largely be diamond encrusted, estimated by NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team. (Enhanced photo: NASA) Rough diamond from a me- teorite discovered in Kankan- guinea by the University of Glasgow. The inclusions are iron oxide and ferropericlase, a mineral believed to be in the Earth's mantle. (Photo: Anetta Banas, Phys.org) Using photographic and enhancement data from NASA’s Hubble space telescope, scientists were able to determine the “Diamond Planet’s” properties and atmosphere. It’s the first time researchers have been able to determine the exact composition of a super-Earth’s atmosphere, which is one-third pure Type IIa diamond. (Image: NASA) Discovered in 2004, the 55 Cancri e has yet another name— Super Earth . An odd term for any exoplanet that is double the size and mass of Earth with no other worldly asso- ciation. It has no water and is 40 to 41 light years from Earth. So, until we create a means to travel faster than the speed of light and invent space machinery that won’t melt, the diamonds in this sky will remain there. Mine Your Own Diamond Carbon trapped deep in the upper mantle during our own planet’s formation met with molten fluids. Millennium upon millennium of slow, pressurized momentum eventually erupts onto the Earth’s surface. This force pushes past the trapped carbon, forging it into diamond as the magma makes its way to ground level. The diamonds are left in Kimberlite conduits that can extend down- ward for miles.This type of diamond creation is the most common Earthly method, but it hasn’t occurred for the past 400 million years. That doesn’t mean diamonds can’t be found on, or slightly below, the ground we walk on. At least if that ground happens to be in a part of Arkansas. During the current Covid situation, the state limits visits to its Crater of Diamonds State Park to 1,500 people per day. And, people are still finding diamonds. Perhaps someone should notify the Natural Diamond Council so that they may recon- sider their “extremely rare” natural white dia- mond campaign. I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has been, and continues to be, so supportive of this diamond discussion adventure in Lab Grown Magazine . Your emails and phone calls are part of the light at the end of the tunnel. If that light turns out to be a train, then, all aboard! The happiest of holidays to you and yours and may peace and good health surround you in 2021. Dan Scott is a brand architect and founder of Luxe Licensing, a New York Metro-based brand and marketing agency catering to luxury and demi-fine properties. Past and current clients in- clude Chanel, Gucci jewelry, JCKVirtual, St. Lau- rent, Harry Winston and up-and-coming brands. Dan welcomes conversation and may be reached at +1.201.294.3697 , dans@luxelicensing.com or through www.LuxeLicensing.com ■