Key Facts

• Scientists made a new type of diamond called hexagonal diamond, or lonsdaleite.
• Hexagonal diamond is naturally formed when meteorites with graphite hit Earth, but only in small amounts.
• Researchers created hexagonal diamond in the lab using a type of graphite and very high pressure and heat.
• The lab-made hexagonal diamonds were tested and found to be harder than regular diamonds.
• Hexagonal diamonds could be useful in cutting tools, electronics, and specialized industrial equipment.
• The process involved using tungsten carbide anvils to apply pressure to the graphite.
• The hardness of hexagonal diamonds was measured using a method called the Vickers hardness test.