Diamonds are vastly older than any archeological relic, so carbon dating—which can only date items back to around 60,000 years ago—isnt possible. These radioactive isotopes are like tiny, slow-ticking clocks captured in the fabric of a diamond crystal.

How do you date diamonds?

The diamonds themselves cant be dated. But if the mineral inclusions contain certain elements like potassium and things that can be used in a radioactive dating scheme, then by dating the inclusion in the diamond you get some sense of the age of the diamond itself.

What types of objects can carbon dating be used on?

The most suitable types of sample for radiocarbon dating are charcoal and well-preserved wood, although leather, cloth, paper, peat, shell and bone can also be used.

Which color of diamond does not have a carbon defect?

A theoretically “pure and perfect” diamond containing no such defects would appear colorless. Figure 1. The red color of the graining in this Fancy red diamond from Brazil is caused by absorption related to the 550 nm band.

What colors do diamonds come in naturally?

How many colors can diamonds be? Diamonds naturally come in every color of the rainbow (yep red, blue, green, purple, pink, etc.), as well as black, brown, gray, and white. There are even “salt and pepper” diamonds that look more polka-dotted. So, there are many different color diamonds!