Do Diamonds Last Forever?

Are Diamonds Eternal?

Diamonds are often considered the epitome of eternity in the realm of gemstones. Their sparkling beauty and remarkable hardness have led to the belief that diamonds last forever. However, is this really the case?

Answering the Big Question

Despite popular belief, diamonds do not last forever. While they are incredibly durable and resistant to scratching due to their hardness, diamonds are not immune to the passage of time. Over an immense span of hundreds of millions to billions of years, diamonds will eventually degrade and transform into graphite.

Explanation

Diamonds, which consist of carbon atoms arranged in a strong crystal lattice structure, are not indestructible. Under conditions present deep within the earth's mantle, where diamonds are formed, extreme heat and pressure facilitate the creation of these precious gems. However, when these diamonds are brought to the earth's surface through volcanic eruptions, they are exposed to lower pressure and temperature, leading to their eventual degradation over an unimaginably long period.