Urban Legend Geography Physics
BUSTED Comprehensively false

Diamonds Are Just Compressed Coal

Diamonds and coal have different origins

✗ The myth everyone repeats

Diamonds are formed when coal is compressed under extreme pressure over time.

✓ What is actually true

While both diamond and coal are carbon-based, they have different formation processes. Most diamonds form from carbon deep in Earth's mantle, brought up by kimberlite pipes, not from coal. Coal is fossilized plant material. While lab-created diamonds can theoretically use any carbon source, natural diamonds don't come from coal.

Believed Since 1950
Year Revised 1990
Why Changed Discovery
Confidence Fully Debunked
Region Worldwide

Reception

7/10
6/10
The receipts 2 sources
  1. Diamond Formation - USGSPRIMARY
  2. Snopes: Diamond CoalREFERENCE

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