Diamonds in ureilites

The presence of diamonds in meteorites was confirmed for the first time in the Novo-Ureiureilite in 1888. Ureilites are a rare class of achondrites, often referred to as primitive achondrites. They are composed of olivine and pyroxene (pygeonite), as well as graphite inclusions often coexisting with diamonds. The following three main hypotheses of diamond origin in ureilites have been proposed: the HPHT process, graphite-to-diamond conversion under shock compression due to impact on the parent body (the most popular theory, as of the time of publication), and the CVD process in the solar nebula. The samples of all types of ureilites, from less shocked up to highly shocked, were examined using Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results show the presence of diamonds in all of our samples. Of particular significance is the comparison of Raman spectra of diamonds and graphite phases of different ureilites.