Everything Everywhere Daily Synthetic Diamonds
Dec 18, 2025
Discover the fascinating evolution of synthetic diamonds, from their extreme formation conditions to revolutionary lab production methods. Learn how advancements in technology have made gem-quality diamonds accessible and how they differ from their natural counterparts. Explore the dramatic shifts in market value and the diverse industrial applications, like abrasives and electronics. Delve into how impurities can tune diamond properties, paving the way for a new era in diamond usage.
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Why Diamonds Are Rare
- Diamonds are pure carbon arranged in a three-dimensional lattice that requires extreme heat and pressure to form.
- Natural formation is rare because those conditions only occur deep inside Earth, explaining diamond scarcity.
The First Lab Diamond Breakthrough
- In 1954 Tracy Hall at General Electric created the first reproducible synthetic diamonds using HPHT.
- The first lab diamonds were small and mainly used for industrial purposes, not jewelry.
Two Ways To Grow Diamonds
- Two dominant synthetic growth methods are HPHT and CVD, each with different inputs and mechanics.
- HPHT mimics earth conditions with a metal catalyst while CVD deposits carbon from gas onto a seed crystal layer by layer.