Diamonds Found In El Dorado County Meteorite
DAVIS (CBS13) – Diamonds are now a scientist's best friend.
UC Davis researchers say they have found diamonds and other so-called "treasures" inside the Sutter's Mill meteorite.
Researchers published their findings in this month's "Meteoritics & Planetary Science" journal.
Two, 10-micrometre diamonds were found in the meteorite, which exploded over Coloma back in 2012. The researchers note that the diamonds would be way too small to be put in a ring, but are bigger than what is usually found in similar meteorites.
"We suspect that these diamonds are so-called xenoliths – bits and pieces that originated in the interior of other much larger parent bodies," said researcher Yoko Kebukawa in a statement.
Researchers are using the meteorite to study the early days of the solar system. UC Davis has played a big role in the research, with the school acquiring part of the meteorite.
The meteorite explosion brought a rush of rock hunters to California's historic Gold Country – spurred by the high price a meteorite can sell for.
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