Researchers at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the University of Padova have recently unveiled a new mineral, crowningshieldite, discovered as an altered inclusion in two diamonds from the Letseng mine in Lesotho. The GIA named the new mineral after G. Robert Crowningshield, “a pioneering figure in gemological research for more than 50 years” at the organization.
Crowningshieldite was discovered while the researchers examined inclusions in CLIPPIR diamonds – “a variety of type IIa diamond that forms at significantly greater depths than most diamonds”. According to the GIA, “crowningshieldite is a nickel sulfide mineral with a hexagonal crystal structure and can be regarded as the high-temperature polymorph of the mineral millerit”.
Tom Moses, GIA executive VP, commented: “Discoveries such as this propel our understanding of diamonds and the earth forward; this is why research is the cornerstone of GIA’s mission. I can think of no better way to honor Mr. Crowningshield’s legacy”. The International Mineralogical Association accepted crowningshieldite as a mineral on September. 18.
