Mercury's Subsurface Holds Vast 300 Billion Cubic Meters of Diamond

Mercury may not be the most popular planet in our solar system, but it turns out that it has a hidden treasure beneath its rough exterior. A recent study conducted by a team of Chinese and Belgian scientists has revealed that there is a 10-mile-thick layer of diamond beneath Mercury's surface.

Mercury's Hidden Treasure

Scientists believe that in Mercury's early history, an ocean of molten carbon floated to the planet's surface and cooled, leaving behind a carbon-rich mantle beneath the crust. Data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft has led researchers to conclude that what was previously thought to be graphite patches on Mercury's surface are actually diamonds.

With nearly 300 billion cubic meters of diamond, Mercury could be considered a diamond lover's paradise. In comparison, the study estimates that this amount of diamond would equate to about 1-carat diamonds, which is quite a valuable find.

While Mercury may not be the ideal location for diamond mining, with its harsh conditions and proximity to the sun, it's fascinating to think about the hidden riches that lie beneath its surface. Who knows, maybe one day we'll find a way to extract these diamonds and put them to good use.

Update: 23 Jun 2026