I just can't quite get over the fascinating idea of an intergalactic meteorite engagement ring. In terms of bragging rights, you simply cannot top that, right? I think my fiancee might be a little ticked off with me for harping on about it. She complains that, yes, the science part is all very interesting, but the beauty of the stone seems to be wasted on me. To which I protest! I do agree. It is beautiful: 'intergalactic beautiful' which is just so cool!
A black diamond possess a unique geological structure, incomparable to any other type of diamond found on the planet, which further leads scientists to believe that they most likely originated from supernova explosions. These specialists speculate that each single black diamond may, at one point, have been the size of an asteroid, with a total diameter of over one kilometre. This speculation is certainly reflected in the price tag of any black engagement ring. However, to be able to say that your bride-to-be literally has 'an asteroid' on her engagement ring is fairly priceless!
The space theory surrounding the origins of black diamonds really does have its merits. I was reading in Science Daily that recent controlled comparisons between astronomical spectra, lab-created spectra, and models of emission and absorption have revealed that there are, in fact, real diamonds in the sky. Not ready-to-cut, whole diamonds such as you would find in a traditional or black engagement ring, but fragments of diamonds, sometimes called 'diamond dust'.
'Diamond dust' is commonly located on meteoroids called carbonaceous chondrites and originates from the same furnaces that give stars their glow. In layman's terms, the carbon atoms that constitute this dust can be considered 'fingerprints' of diamonds. The actual explanation for this classification is complex and involves a lot of scientific jargon, but the simpler version is that the absorption and emission bands detected in chondrite spectras are close enough to those of diamonds for these carbon-based atoms to be given that label.
At the moment, scientists consider that the amount of existing evidence is still somewhat limited. However, most seem to be in agreement about that these carbon residues can, to a certain extent, be called 'space diamonds'. This certainly gives an engagement ring, especially if it is a black engagement ring, a certain cosmic appeal!
That is not all, however. More recently, actual black diamonds have been claimed by scientists to be of extra-terrestrial origin as well. 'Carbonado' (or 'charcoaled') diamonds, found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic, were discovered to have traces of hydrogen and nitrogen in their composition, which would indicate an outer-worldly provenance.
This is fascinating stuff, and I have certainly learnt a lot about these cosmic gems. My intended suggested that the only thing she has learnt is the true extent of my nerdiness. We'll see who the nerd is after I present her with a ring with an asteroid on it!
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