Scientists from Jilin University and Sun Yat-sen University in China have successfully lab-created an equivalent of the rare crystalline structure of carbon Lonsdaleite. The study is detailed in Nature Materials, and according to what was discovered, the stone and crystal they made are over 40 percent harder than natural diamond. Nature Materials is a journal with a strong reputation that publishes only groundbreaking studies. The selection process is extremely competitive, and only researches that are supported by extensive experimental data with clear methodologies will get through.
What is Lonsdaleite?
Lonsdaleite, named after British crystallographer Professor Dame Kathleen Lonsdale, was first identified in 1967 within the Canyon Diablo meteorite in Arizona, USA.
Dame Kathleen Lonsdale. Photo courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery website.
Unlike standard diamonds, which have a cubic crystal pattern, Lonsdaleite is structured in a hexagonal form, making it far more resistant. Natural Lonsdaleite is thought to be produced from meteorite impacts that create extreme pressure and heat.
Attempts and Breakthroughs
There have been attempts to recreate Lonsdaleite in a laboratory setting starting from the 1980s. Scientists tried to recreate the high-pressure and high-temperature conditions found in meteorite impacts. Up until 2020, the Lonsdaleite samples that were received were nanoscale and difficult to stabilize. In 2020 and the following year, researchers made some essential and successful attempts in creating synthesized hexagonal diamond. And 2024 was a breakthrough year when a major step forward in the controlled synthesis of this rare material was made.
Properties of Lab-Grown Lonsdaleite
The team from China determined that their laboratory-produced Lonsdaleite measures 155 GPa in hardness, while natural diamonds typically reach 100 GPa.
Their research informs us that under such severe conditions graphite can turn into a diamond. And it’s more than just exciting news; in fact, it opens the door to creating new ways to produce and use this material.
Potential Applications in Various Fields
While lab-grown diamonds are already common in jewelry, Lonsdaleite is being considered mainly for technical applications, such as advanced superconductors. Its increased hardness and toughness may make it useful in industries beyond traditional synthetic diamonds, but whether it will be suitable for jewelry is not clear.
