“I have been frequently asked, ‘What is your theory of the original
crystallisation of the diamond?’ and the answer has always been, ‘I
have none; for after seventeen years of thoughtful study, coupled
with practical research, I find that it is easier to “drive a coach
and four” through most theories that have been propounded than to
suggest one which would be based on any non-assailable data.’
All that can be said is that in some unknown manner carbon, which
existed deep down in the internal regions of the earth, was changed
from its black and uninviting appearance to the most beautiful gem
which ever saw the light of day.”
Another diamond theory appeals to the imagination. It is said
the diamond is a gift from Heaven, conveyed to earth in meteoric
showers. The suggestion, I believe, was first broached by A.
Meydenbauer,[12] who says, “The diamond can only be of cosmic
origin, having fallen as a meteorite at later periods of the
earth’s formation. The available localities of the diamond contain
the residues of not very compact meteoric masses which may,
perhaps, have fallen in prehistoric ages, and which have penetrated
more or less deeply, according to the more or less resistant
character of the surface where they fell. Their remains are
crumbling away on exposure to the air and sun, and the rain has
long ago washed away all prominent masses. The enclosed diamonds
have remained scattered in the river beds, while the fine light
matrix has been swept away.”
According to this hypothesis, the so-called volcanic pipes are
simply holes bored in the solid earth by the impact of monstrous
meteors--the larger masses boring the holes, while the smaller
masses, disintegrating in their fall, distributed diamonds
broadcast. Bizarre as such a theory appears, I am bound to say
there are many circumstances which show that the notion of the
heavens raining diamonds is not impossible.
The most striking confirmation of the meteoric theory comes from
Arizona. Here, on a broad open plain, over an area about five
miles in diameter, have been scattered one or two thousand masses
of metallic iron, the fragments varying in weight from half a ton
to a fraction of an ounce. There is no doubt these masses formed
part of a meteoric shower, although no record exists as to when
the fall took place. Curiously enough, near the centre, where most
of the meteorites have been found, is a crater with raised edges
three-quarters of a mile in diameter and about 600 feet deep,
bearing exactly the appearance which would be produced had a mighty
mass of iron struck the ground and buried itself deep under the
surface. Altogether, ten tons of this iron have been collected, and
specimens of the Canyon Diablo meteorite are in most collectors’
cabinets.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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