Diamonds are not stones that one takes lightly; it is highly coveted and extremely expensive. But this is because diamonds are thought to be very rare jewels and are very hard to create naturally and artificially.
Previously, diamonds were believed to be created through complex natural process called RedOx (reduction-oxidation) and it happens underneath the crust of the Earth.
Another reason why diamonds cost highly is because they need to be dug underground and it takes a lot of manpower and machine to get the diamonds safely from the ground to the processing area for them to be cut.
In a new study conducted by researchers, they found out that diamonds may not be as "rare" as previously believe because from what they have gathered from their experiment, a simple drop in pH can create diamonds.
In the study, published in Nature Comments, during water-rock interaction, the drop in pH or the when the materials become more acidic, diamonds are created.
The researchers were able to gather this information through a theoretical model of deep fluids that includes ion, showing that fluid can react irreversibly with eclogite at 900 degree Celsius and 5.0 GPa generating diamonds.
Another interesting fact that the researchers observe were the creation of secondary minerals all due to the decrease in pH.
The study is important because it reveals a new quantitative theory when it comes to the formation of diamonds, which is a result of the reaction of deep fluids with the rocks it encounters during migration.
The study also revealed that there are other carbon sources that help the creation of diamonds and it is not only CO2 or CH4, which were previously believed to be the only source of carbon during the diamond precipitation.
These diamonds can be found deep in the earth's mantle and are microscopic in size.
