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Shine Bright

Short answer: Diamond is carbon with its atoms arranged in a cubic crystal lattice. Most natural diamonds formed about 150 to 250 km deep in Earth's mantle, under high pressure and temperature, and many are more than a billion years old.

They reach the surface in rare, deep-sourced volcanic eruptions whose remains are called kimberlite (and lamproite) pipes, where they are mined. Diamond is the hardest natural material, rating 10 on the Mohs scale. The footage shows rough and cut diamonds and mines, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Shine Bright?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Diamond is carbon in a cubic lattice.

    DD-165-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Carbon)

  2. Most formed 150 to 250 km deep.

    DD-165-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Mantle)

Video transcript: Shine Bright: Diamonds Ride to the Surface in Volcanic Pipes

Diamonds are remarkable gemstones, found deep within the Earth's mantle, composed of carbon atoms, arranged in a crystal lattice structure, under high pressure and temperature. DID YOU KNOW? Diamonds are brought to the surface through volcanic pipes, known as kimberlite pipes. These volcanic eruptions deliver diamonds closer to the Earth's surface, where they can be mined. The allure of diamonds extends beyond their physical properties, often symbolizing enduring love and luxury. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 23.7s Reel ·

Video coming soonShine Bright · Instagram Reel
Shine Bright: Diamonds Ride to the Surface in Volcanic Pipes Instagram Reel · · 23.7s

The write-up

Diamonds ride to the surface in volcanic pipes. They form deep in the mantle under huge pressure.

  1. Exhibit A

    Carbon

    Diamond is carbon in a cubic lattice.

  2. Exhibit B

    Mantle

    Most formed 150 to 250 km deep.

  3. Exhibit C

    Ancient

    Many are over a billion years old.

  4. Exhibit D

    Kimberlite

    They rise in kimberlite pipes.

  5. Exhibit E

    Mohs 10

    Diamond rates 10 on the Mohs scale.

Questions people ask about Shine Bright

What is diamond made of?

A cubic lattice.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Carbon) · Wikipedia: Diamond

How deep do most diamonds form?

In the mantle.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Mantle) · Wikipedia: Diamond

How old are many diamonds?

Very old.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ancient) · Wikipedia: Diamond

What carries diamonds up?

Deep eruptions.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Kimberlite) · Wikipedia: Diamond; Wikipedia: Kimberlite

How hard is diamond?

The hardest natural material.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Mohs 10) · Wikipedia: Diamond

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What is diamond made of?

    1. Carbon
    2. Silicon
    3. Aluminum oxide
    4. Iron
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Carbon A cubic lattice. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Carbon) · Wikipedia: Diamond

  2. How deep do most diamonds form?

    1. 150 to 250 km
    2. 1 km
    3. 10 m
    4. 5,000 km
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 150 to 250 km In the mantle. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Mantle) · Wikipedia: Diamond

  3. How old are many diamonds?

    1. Over a billion years
    2. About 100 years
    3. About 1,000 years
    4. A few days
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Over a billion years Very old. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ancient) · Wikipedia: Diamond

  4. What carries diamonds up?

    1. Kimberlite pipes
    2. Rivers only
    3. Glaciers
    4. Meteorites
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Kimberlite pipes Deep eruptions. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Kimberlite) · Wikipedia: Diamond; Wikipedia: Kimberlite

  5. How hard is diamond?

    1. 10 on Mohs
    2. 5 on Mohs
    3. 2 on Mohs
    4. 7 on Mohs
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 10 on Mohs The hardest natural material. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Mohs 10) · Wikipedia: Diamond

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Shine Bright." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-165, last updated Jan 6, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shine-bright/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shine-bright/ · Last updated

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