The graphite found in your favorite pencil could have instead been the diamond your mother always wears. What made the difference? Researchers are finding out. Subscribe to our newsletter for the ...

Molten carbon can form into either diamond or graphite. A new study shows how graphite can sometimes form even under conditions that should lead to diamond. (Getty Images) The graphite found in your ...

A team of scientists from two universities in China have synthesized a material harder than diamond in the laboratory. When carbon is subjected to extreme heat and pressure within the Earth, it can ...

Molten carbon can crystallize into diamond or graphite, but it has been difficult to study this process. New simulations show that graphite can sometimes "hijack" the pathway that would lead to ...

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.View full profile James is a ...