Sparkly Bugs Have Real Diamond Wings

Kind of. Scientists have discovered that the shiny wings of the diamond weevil are full of crystals made of chitin in a structure much like actual diamonds. Unfortunately, bug engagement rings may be a ways off — says biophysicist Bodo Wilts, “Materials scientists could look to these scales to inspire new materials, but we don’t yet know how they are made. We’ve got some catching up to do.”