Carbon

Only hydrogen, helium and oxygen are more common.

Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov isolated it in 2004 and won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.

The soccer-ball-shaped molecule of 60 carbon atoms won its discoverers a Nobel Prize in 1996.

It compares the remaining radioactive carbon in once-living material to a known baseline.

Only the arrangement of the atoms differs.

Its ability to form four bonds lets it build the long chains found in living molecules.

PSR J1719-1438 b, a planet orbiting a pulsar, is thought to be a remnant of a star whose outer layers were stripped away. Its extreme density suggests it's largely composed of crystalline carbon, or diamond, making it an incredibly valuable celestial body.

Diamonds have the highest thermal conductivity of any known material, meaning they rapidly draw heat away from your skin when touched. This quick heat transfer makes them feel noticeably cooler to the touch compared to other objects at the same ambient temperature, a property used in diamond testing.

Despite their dazzling appearance, diamonds are simply crystallized carbon atoms arranged in a super-strong lattice structure. This elemental purity distinguishes them from many other gemstones which are composed of complex silicate minerals.

This extreme hardness, measured at 10 on the Mohs scale, means only another diamond can scratch a diamond. It makes them invaluable for cutting, grinding, and drilling tools in various industries, far beyond just jewelry.