diamonds

New simulations suggest that a 9-mile-thick layer of solid diamonds may lurk deep below the surface of Mercury. The gems almost certainly can't be mined for bling — but they may help solve some of the planet's biggest mysteries.

During 37 years of operations, the now-closed Argyle mine produced more than 865 million carats (191 tons) of rough diamonds and 90% of the world's pink diamonds.

Scientists have used a new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem, which could make the precious gemstones easier to grow in the lab.

Researchers suggest that the famed Golconda diamonds, including the Hope Diamond and Koh-i-noor, may have originated from a volcanic outcrop nearly 200 miles from where they were mined.

Scientists have created an n-channel transistor using diamond for the first time, potentially leading to faster components that can work in extreme conditions.

A simulated form of carbon called BC8, or 'super-diamond', could be 30% tougher than normal diamonds, but synthesizing it on Earth won't be easy.

Diamonds seem to reach Earth's surface in massive volcanic eruptions when supercontinents break up, and they form when continents come together.

Dolphins with thumbs and eruptions of diamonds from Earth's center topped our list of favorite stories this year.

Diamonds are naturally hard, but is there anything from Earth, space or even a lab that's harder?

The Argyle formation in Australia, which hosts 90% of the world's pink diamonds, formed when the first supercontinent broke up.