Researchers use ‘superdeep’ diamonds to shed light on Earth’s inner workings

 

In a new study led by a University of Alberta PhD student, researchers used diamonds as breadcrumbs to provide insight into some of Earth’s deepest geologic mechanisms.

“Geologists have recently come to the realization that some of the largest, most valuable diamonds are from the deepest portions of our planet,” said Margo Regier, a PhD student in the Faculty of Science under the supervision of Graham Pearson and Thomas Stachel. “While we are not yet certain why diamonds can grow to larger sizes at these depths, we propose a model where these ‘superdeep’ diamonds crystallize from carbon-rich magmas, which may be critical for them to grow to their large sizes.”

Beyond their beauty and industrial applications, diamonds provide unique windows into the deep Earth, allowing scientists to examine the transport of carbon through the mantle.

“The vast majority of Earth’s carbon is actually stored in its silicate mantle, not in the atmosphere,” Regier explained. “If we are to fully understand Earth’s whole carbon cycle, we need to understand this vast reservoir of carbon deep underground.”

The study revealed that the carbon-rich oceanic crust that sinks into the deep mantle releases most of its carbon before it gets to the deepest portion of the mantle. That means most carbon is recycled back to the surface, and only small amounts are stored in the deep mantle—which has significant implications for how scientists understand the Earth’s carbon cycle.

The mechanism is important to understand for a number of reasons, Regier noted.

“The movement of carbon between the surface and mantle affects Earth’s climate, the composition of its atmosphere and the production of magma from volcanoes,” said Regier.

“We do not yet understand if this carbon cycle has changed over time, nor do we know how much carbon is stored in the deepest parts of our planet. If we want to understand why our planet has evolved into its habitable state today and how the surfaces and atmospheres of other planets may be shaped by their interior processes, we need to better understand these variables.”

The study was made possible through a collaboration between researchers at the U of A and the University of Glasgow, including Jeff Harris, who collected the diamond samples. Support through federal funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, through the Diamond Exploration Research Training School at the U of A, was also integral in enabling the research.

The study, “The Lithospheric to Lower Mantle Carbon Cycle Recorded in Superdeep Diamonds,” was published in Nature.

/University of Alberta Release. The material in this public release comes from the originating organization and may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. View in full here.
Tags:atmosphere, Canada, climate, council, Engineering, exploration, planet, production, research, research council, school, science, Scientists, Student, university, University of Alberta

Source: DCLA

Researchers use ‘superdeep’ diamonds to shed light on Earth’s inner workings

 

In a new study led by a University of Alberta PhD student, researchers used diamonds as breadcrumbs to provide insight into some of Earth’s deepest geologic mechanisms.

“Geologists have recently come to the realization that some of the largest, most valuable diamonds are from the deepest portions of our planet,” said Margo Regier, a PhD student in the Faculty of Science under the supervision of Graham Pearson and Thomas Stachel. “While we are not yet certain why diamonds can grow to larger sizes at these depths, we propose a model where these ‘superdeep’ diamonds crystallize from carbon-rich magmas, which may be critical for them to grow to their large sizes.”

Beyond their beauty and industrial applications, diamonds provide unique windows into the deep Earth, allowing scientists to examine the transport of carbon through the mantle.

“The vast majority of Earth’s carbon is actually stored in its silicate mantle, not in the atmosphere,” Regier explained. “If we are to fully understand Earth’s whole carbon cycle, we need to understand this vast reservoir of carbon deep underground.”

The study revealed that the carbon-rich oceanic crust that sinks into the deep mantle releases most of its carbon before it gets to the deepest portion of the mantle. That means most carbon is recycled back to the surface, and only small amounts are stored in the deep mantle—which has significant implications for how scientists understand the Earth’s carbon cycle.

The mechanism is important to understand for a number of reasons, Regier noted.

“The movement of carbon between the surface and mantle affects Earth’s climate, the composition of its atmosphere and the production of magma from volcanoes,” said Regier.

“We do not yet understand if this carbon cycle has changed over time, nor do we know how much carbon is stored in the deepest parts of our planet. If we want to understand why our planet has evolved into its habitable state today and how the surfaces and atmospheres of other planets may be shaped by their interior processes, we need to better understand these variables.”

The study was made possible through a collaboration between researchers at the U of A and the University of Glasgow, including Jeff Harris, who collected the diamond samples. Support through federal funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, through the Diamond Exploration Research Training School at the U of A, was also integral in enabling the research.

The study, “The Lithospheric to Lower Mantle Carbon Cycle Recorded in Superdeep Diamonds,” was published in Nature.

/University of Alberta Release. The material in this public release comes from the originating organization and may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. View in full here.
Tags:atmosphere, Canada, climate, council, Engineering, exploration, planet, production, research, research council, school, science, Scientists, Student, university, University of Alberta

Source: DCLA

Rio Tinto unveils rare diamonds as Argyle nears end

 

Rio Tinto has showcased its rare pink, red, violet and blue diamonds from the Argyle mine in Western Australia virtually to a group of collectors, connoisseurs and luxury jewellery houses.

The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is a collection of the rarest diamonds from this year’s production of precious gems produced at the east Kimberley, Western Australia site.

The collection was headlined by Lot Number 1, which is the largest Fancy Vivid round brilliant diamond ever offered at the tender.

Weighing in at 2.24 carats, the Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond, also known as Argyle Eternity, is the highlight of the historic collection which comprises of 62 diamonds weighing 57.23 carats.

The Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender also features six hero diamonds, recognised for their unique beauty and named so to ensure there is a permanent record of their place in history as some of the world’s most important diamonds.

In addition to Argyle Eternity, these hero diamonds include the 2.45 carat square Fancy Intense Purple-Pink Argyle Ethereal, the 1.84 carat pear shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink Argyle Sakura, the 0.43 carat Argyle Emrys in greyish blue, the 0.33 carat grey-violet Argyle Skylar and 0.70 carat violet-grey Argyle Infinite.

In addition to these gems the collection also features 12 lots of carefully curated never to be repeated sets of miniature rare Argyle punk, red, blue and violet diamonds weighing in at a total of 13.90 carats.

Rio Tinto general manager of sales and marketing for diamonds Patrick Coppens noted the Argyle mine’s history of producing rare pink gems.

“The Argyle pink diamond story has continued to enthral throughout the years following the remarkable discovery of the Argyle mine in 1979,” Coppens said.

“The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is a collection of rare earthly treasures, intricate works of art and with a potency of colour that will be keenly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs from around the world.”

Rio Tinto chief executive of copper and diamonds Arnaud Soirat added that the Argyle mine is the world’s first and only ongoing source of rare pink, red and violet diamonds.

“We have seen and continue to see strong demand for these highly coveted diamonds, which together with extremely limited global supply, supports the significant value appreciation for Argyle pink diamonds,” Soirat said.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions the collection was previewed virtually for exclusive invitees before viewings begin later this year at the Argyle mine, in Perth and in Singapore in Antwerp.

Bids for the precious stones close on December 2 2020.

Source: DCLA

Rio Tinto unveils rare diamonds as Argyle nears end

 

Rio Tinto has showcased its rare pink, red, violet and blue diamonds from the Argyle mine in Western Australia virtually to a group of collectors, connoisseurs and luxury jewellery houses.

The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is a collection of the rarest diamonds from this year’s production of precious gems produced at the east Kimberley, Western Australia site.

The collection was headlined by Lot Number 1, which is the largest Fancy Vivid round brilliant diamond ever offered at the tender.

Weighing in at 2.24 carats, the Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond, also known as Argyle Eternity, is the highlight of the historic collection which comprises of 62 diamonds weighing 57.23 carats.

The Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender also features six hero diamonds, recognised for their unique beauty and named so to ensure there is a permanent record of their place in history as some of the world’s most important diamonds.

In addition to Argyle Eternity, these hero diamonds include the 2.45 carat square Fancy Intense Purple-Pink Argyle Ethereal, the 1.84 carat pear shaped Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink Argyle Sakura, the 0.43 carat Argyle Emrys in greyish blue, the 0.33 carat grey-violet Argyle Skylar and 0.70 carat violet-grey Argyle Infinite.

In addition to these gems the collection also features 12 lots of carefully curated never to be repeated sets of miniature rare Argyle punk, red, blue and violet diamonds weighing in at a total of 13.90 carats.

Rio Tinto general manager of sales and marketing for diamonds Patrick Coppens noted the Argyle mine’s history of producing rare pink gems.

“The Argyle pink diamond story has continued to enthral throughout the years following the remarkable discovery of the Argyle mine in 1979,” Coppens said.

“The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is a collection of rare earthly treasures, intricate works of art and with a potency of colour that will be keenly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs from around the world.”

Rio Tinto chief executive of copper and diamonds Arnaud Soirat added that the Argyle mine is the world’s first and only ongoing source of rare pink, red and violet diamonds.

“We have seen and continue to see strong demand for these highly coveted diamonds, which together with extremely limited global supply, supports the significant value appreciation for Argyle pink diamonds,” Soirat said.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions the collection was previewed virtually for exclusive invitees before viewings begin later this year at the Argyle mine, in Perth and in Singapore in Antwerp.

Bids for the precious stones close on December 2 2020.

Source: DCLA

Ulysse Nardin Introduces an Exclusive Blast Edition

 

At the Geneva Watch Days event in late August, Ulysse Nardin unveiled a new collection called Blast. The collection featured timepieces with a new, self-winding, skeletonized caliber with a flying tourbillon; a multifaceted case design inspired by the lines of stealth aircraft; and a new “one-click” folding clasp. A week later, Ulysse Nardin introduced another Blast reference, positioned as a high-end jewelry timepiece, whose open worked, automatic tourbillon movement, as well as its case, are embellished with geometrically cut diamonds in a motif reminiscent of a mosaic.

The new Sparkling Blast is limited to three pieces and has a 45-mm-diameter, white-gold case, with either a white-colored rubber strap or a deep blue-colored alligator strap. Each watch is adorned with a total of 211 hand-faceted diamonds across the case, crown, bezel, indexes, and hands; 85 of those diamonds are uniquely cut, giving the timepiece a total weight of 13 carats. The X-shaped cage on the open worked dial is also set with an array of diamonds, directly embedded into the architecture of this “shape-within-shape-within-shape” of the watch face, to highlight the large “X” framed inside the rectangle, itself framed inside the circle of the bezel.

The X-shaped cage on the open worked dial is set with an array of diamonds.

Ulysse Nardin says that the design of the case middle and its distinctive triple lugs borrows its “aligned edges and serrated triangular patterns” from the silhouettes of the wings found on stealth fighter jets, which make them invisible to radar and radio waves.

Each case, crown, bezel and index is adorned with hand-faceted diamonds; the watch has 211 diamonds in all.

The diamonds are set using an “invisible setting” technique that originated in France 200 years ago. In this setting, the diamonds are held in place by a hidden structure, which creates a floating appearance inside the metal ring but is invisible from the surface.

The self-deploying buckle is adorned with 1.22k of diamonds.

Like the Executive Skeleton Tourbillon and the other Blast models that preceded it, the new Sparkling Blast reference is powered by the skeletonized Caliber UN-172. This movement is an upgraded version of Ulysse Nardin’s existing Caliber 171, updated to feature a platinum micro-rotor, visible from the front at 12 o’clock, which is the silicon mainspring’s source of power, automatically winding it to amass a power-reserve up to three days (72 hours). Inside the movement is a 2.5-Hz silicon flying automatic tourbillon. Of the movement’s 137 components, 23 of them belong to the tourbillon.

The Ulysse Nardin Sparkling Blast retails for CHF 410,000 on either a white-colored rubber strap or a deep blue-and-white-colored leather strap, with a self-deploying buckle adorned with 1.22k of diamonds. The array of diamonds set on each timepiece comply with the World Diamond Council System of Warranties to ensure that no “conflict diamonds” enter the supply chain.

Source: DCLA

Ulysse Nardin Introduces an Exclusive Blast Edition

 

At the Geneva Watch Days event in late August, Ulysse Nardin unveiled a new collection called Blast. The collection featured timepieces with a new, self-winding, skeletonized caliber with a flying tourbillon; a multifaceted case design inspired by the lines of stealth aircraft; and a new “one-click” folding clasp. A week later, Ulysse Nardin introduced another Blast reference, positioned as a high-end jewelry timepiece, whose open worked, automatic tourbillon movement, as well as its case, are embellished with geometrically cut diamonds in a motif reminiscent of a mosaic.

The new Sparkling Blast is limited to three pieces and has a 45-mm-diameter, white-gold case, with either a white-colored rubber strap or a deep blue-colored alligator strap. Each watch is adorned with a total of 211 hand-faceted diamonds across the case, crown, bezel, indexes, and hands; 85 of those diamonds are uniquely cut, giving the timepiece a total weight of 13 carats. The X-shaped cage on the open worked dial is also set with an array of diamonds, directly embedded into the architecture of this “shape-within-shape-within-shape” of the watch face, to highlight the large “X” framed inside the rectangle, itself framed inside the circle of the bezel.

The X-shaped cage on the open worked dial is set with an array of diamonds.

Ulysse Nardin says that the design of the case middle and its distinctive triple lugs borrows its “aligned edges and serrated triangular patterns” from the silhouettes of the wings found on stealth fighter jets, which make them invisible to radar and radio waves.

Each case, crown, bezel and index is adorned with hand-faceted diamonds; the watch has 211 diamonds in all.

The diamonds are set using an “invisible setting” technique that originated in France 200 years ago. In this setting, the diamonds are held in place by a hidden structure, which creates a floating appearance inside the metal ring but is invisible from the surface.

The self-deploying buckle is adorned with 1.22k of diamonds.

Like the Executive Skeleton Tourbillon and the other Blast models that preceded it, the new Sparkling Blast reference is powered by the skeletonized Caliber UN-172. This movement is an upgraded version of Ulysse Nardin’s existing Caliber 171, updated to feature a platinum micro-rotor, visible from the front at 12 o’clock, which is the silicon mainspring’s source of power, automatically winding it to amass a power-reserve up to three days (72 hours). Inside the movement is a 2.5-Hz silicon flying automatic tourbillon. Of the movement’s 137 components, 23 of them belong to the tourbillon.

The Ulysse Nardin Sparkling Blast retails for CHF 410,000 on either a white-colored rubber strap or a deep blue-and-white-colored leather strap, with a self-deploying buckle adorned with 1.22k of diamonds. The array of diamonds set on each timepiece comply with the World Diamond Council System of Warranties to ensure that no “conflict diamonds” enter the supply chain.

Source: DCLA

Jewelry Sales Down 54 per cent in Hong Kong

Sales of jewelry and other luxury goods in Hong Kong fell by more than half in July, according to new figures.

It was the worst affected sector of all, with a year-on-year decline of 53.7 per cent to $328m.

Sales were hit by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a two-week quarantine requirement for tourists from mainland China, and continuing anti-government protests.

Figures for the first half of 2020 show revenue from revenue from jewelry, watches, clocks and other valuable gifts was down by 64 per cent to $2.14 bn.

Total retail sales for all sectors were down 23.1 per cent compared with July 2019, at about $3.41bn, according to data released yesterday by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region HKSAR government.

Source: IDEX