Professor Chris Yakymchuk of the University of Waterloo became one of the pioneers in studying the geology of ruby formation. During one of their research trips to Greenland, which is known for large deposits of rubies, Yakymchuk and his team found a sample of ruby that contained graphite.
Graphite is a mineral made of pure carbon which was examined and found to be a remnant of early life. In fact, it was found in rocks older than 2.5 billion years ago. Looking back, this was a time when oxygen was not yet abundant, implying that only microorganisms and algae were alive.
Studying the conditions necessary for ruby formation, the research team also found out that graphite does not only relate the gemstone to ancient life but was also a necessary factor for the ruby to exist by changing the chemistry of the rocks surrounding it.
Image credit: University of Waterloo
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