Sorry That's the Wrong Answer - Answer 20
Question 20: Where do diamonds originate?
The correct answer is:
Most natural diamonds are formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of
140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 120 mi) in the Earth's mantle. Carbon-containing
minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1
billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the Earth). Diamonds are
brought close to the Earth's surface through deep volcanic eruptions by a
magma, which cools into igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites.
Diamonds can also be produced synthetically in a high-pressure high-temperature
process which approximately simulates the conditions in the Earth's mantle. An
alternative, and completely different growth technique is chemical vapor
deposition (CVD). Several non-diamond materials, which include cubic zirconia
and silicon carbide and are often called diamond simulants, resemble diamond in
appearance and many properties. Special gemological techniques have been
developed to distinguish natural and synthetic diamonds and diamond
simulants.
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