Diamonds Aren't Made Of Coal. Here's What They're Really Made Of

Publish date: 2024-05-03

We've shown that diamonds aren't made from coal, since they've been around long before coal. Nevertheless, you might still wonder, "Could coal be turned into diamonds?" The answer is, unfortunately, no. Pure diamonds are made from 100 percent carbon and no other elements. Coal, on the other hand, can range greatly in its chemical composition. Per Treehugger, coal is mostly carbon, but typically includes a mix of other elements as well — hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, arsenic, and more. This makes coal a decent fuel, but a horrible source for diamonds; the percentage of carbon is simply too low.

But what can be turned into diamonds? Pencils. More specifically, the graphite inside pencils (sometimes erroneously referred to as "lead"). Graphite, like diamond, is 100 percent carbon. The only difference between the two substances is the arrangement of carbon molecules, which form weak bonds in graphite and incredibly strong bonds in diamond. Dr. Arney explains that scientists have actually been able to turn graphite into diamond through a process called HPHT — High Pressure and High Temperature. But HPHT is difficult, and not very common today.

So if you're looking for diamonds, forget about coal, and focus on graphite. Who knows — if you sit on a pencil for long enough, you may not have to buy an engagement ring.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunB%2Blmxra2lfmbaiuc6nm6xlkaeyr8CMppidnV2ks26vzpqjZqCVp7K0edahmK1lpJ2yur7EZqmemZyhxm65wJ2cZqeWZA%3D%3D