A Planet Made of Pure Diamonds Exists—Here’s Where to Find It

What if the most valuable gemstone in the universe wasn’t found deep within the Earth, but floating in space?

Scientists have discovered an exoplanet that might be made almost entirely of diamond—a cosmic treasure hiding 40 light-years away in the constellation Cancer.

Named 55 Cancri e, this world is more than just a scientific curiosity—it challenges everything we thought we knew about planetary formation.

This isn’t science fiction. Astronomers believe this planet’s surface could be a sparkling sea of uncut diamonds, thanks to its unique chemical composition and extreme heat.

But here’s the kicker: we may never be able to reach it.

How Was This Diamond Planet Discovered?

55 Cancri e was first detected in 2004, orbiting a star called 55 Cancri A.

Scientists originally thought it was just another super-Earth—a rocky planet larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. But then, something shocking emerged.

By analyzing its mass, radius, and host star’s chemical makeup, researchers realized something extraordinary: this planet might be rich in carbon—the essential ingredient for diamond formation.

Unlike Earth, which has silicate-based rocks, 55 Cancri e appears to be a carbon-heavy world, where intense heat and pressure could have transformed the surface into pure diamond.

The Science Behind a Diamond Planet

On Earth, diamonds form 100 miles underground, where extreme heat and pressure squeeze carbon into crystalized gemstones over millions of years.

Now, imagine that process happening on a planetary scale—not just deep below the surface, but across an entire world.

55 Cancri e’s surface temperature exceeds 4,000°F (2,200°C)—hot enough to melt metal.

At these temperatures, carbon could easily crystallize into a planet-wide diamond crust.

Instead of oceans and continents, this exoplanet might be a solid, glowing gemstone unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

But Here’s the Twist…

You might think, “If it’s made of diamonds, let’s go mine it!” But there’s a problem. 55 Cancri e is almost impossible to reach.

First, it’s 40 light-years away—meaning even if we traveled at the speed of light (which we currently can’t), it would take four decades to get there.

Using today’s spacecraft technology? Try tens of thousands of years.

Second, even if we could get there, landing would be a nightmare.

The planet’s gravity is nearly twice that of Earth’s, meaning any spacecraft would have an incredibly difficult time landing or taking off.

And don’t forget the scorching heat—any human technology would likely melt instantly on arrival.

What Would Happen If We Brought Its Diamonds to Earth?

Let’s imagine, for a moment, that humanity figured out a way to mine 55 Cancri e and bring just a tiny fraction of its diamond bounty back to Earth.

The result? The global diamond market would crash overnight.

Diamonds, currently valued for their rarity, would suddenly become as common as sand.

Jewelry stores would close, engagement rings would lose their appeal, and entire industries built around the illusion of diamond scarcity would collapse.