How to Make Diamonds Out of Thin Air

The process of making diamonds can be leveraged to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is needed to grow the diamonds, and methane gas is used to create the heat and pressure similar to what is found in the Earth’s mantel. This is where natural diamonds are created.

Diamonds have long been a symbol of wealth, power, and status. But what if you could get diamonds out of thin air? Well, it’s not as far-fetched as it seems. Thanks to advances in technology and science, it is now possible to create diamonds in a lab setting. These man-made diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically the same as natural diamonds but cost much less. In this blog post, we’ll explore the process of creating diamonds from thin air, its benefits over natural diamonds, and how you can make sure you’re getting the real thing. (Gemological Institute of America)

diamond foundry scientists
 Jeremy Scholz, CTO, and R. Martin Roscheisen, CEO, the co-founders of Diamond Foundry. Ian Allen – credit Inc.

You too can buy a machine that grows diamonds from thin air.

You might not know it, but you can buy a machine that grows diamonds from thin air. That’s right—with the right technology, you can create your own diamonds in a lab. And, best of all, these man-made diamonds are just as good as natural ones. In fact, they’re often better because you can control the quality and size of the diamond. So, if you’ve ever wanted to own a massive diamond, but couldn’t afford it, now you can! But to make your own, an “Easy Bake Diamond Oven” doesn’t come cheap.

Definition of Lab Diamonds.

Lab diamonds are created in a controlled environment using advanced technology. Unlike natural diamonds, which are formed over millions of years deep within the Earth’s crust, lab diamonds are grown in just a few weeks in a high-pressure plasma oven.

The vast majority of lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds and have the same optical and physical properties. In fact, it is impossible to tell them apart with the naked eye—only that they are consistently flawless. The process can act as a sort of kiln to even improve the clarity of natural diamonds. The only way to be sure you’re buying a natural diamond is to look for a certification from a reputable third-party organization like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Only by carbon dating can the age of the diamond be determined. Lab grown diamonds will have their full amount of radioactive carbon 14.

Despite their identical appearance, lab-grown diamonds cost a fraction of the price of natural diamonds. The price is only going to come down once people realize how easy they are to grow. This is because they are not subject to the same market forces as natural diamonds. The price of lab-grown diamonds is based on how much it costs to make them, which is much less than what it costs to mine natural diamonds.

If you’re looking for a beautiful diamond that won’t break the bank, a lab-grown diamond is an excellent option. Choosing diamonds from the right manufacturer can even help reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Many diamond foundries operate at net-zero carbon production. If the electricity to power the “Easy Bake Diamond Oven” is being produced by burning coal, the exhaust can be captured and used to create the diamonds! 

Is this godly power?

diamond foundry
Picture of an actual diamond foundry, dubbed “Easy Bake Diamond Oven” Credit Gentle Diamonds

Overview of Carbon Dioxide and Methane as greenhouse gasses.

Carbon dioxide and methane are both greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. This trapped heat makes the Earth’s atmosphere warm, which can lead to climate change.

Carbon dioxide is a gas that is produced when people burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Burning these fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Methane is a gas that is produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen. This process is called anaerobic decomposition, and it happens in places like landfills, rice paddies, and animal digestive systems.

Both carbon dioxide and methane contribute to climate change because they trap heat in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide contributes more to climate change than methane, but methane traps more heat over a shorter time period than carbon dioxide.

diamonds for sale

 

The Benefits of Growing Lab Diamonds

Although lab-grown diamonds have only been on the market for a short time, they are already providing many benefits over natural diamonds. One of the most significant benefits is that they are much more affordable. Lab-grown diamonds cost about 30% less than natural diamonds of comparable quality, making them a great option for budget-conscious shoppers.

In addition to being more affordable, lab-grown diamonds are also more environmentally friendly. They are produced with minimal impact on the environment, using less water and energy than natural diamond mines. Furthermore, because they are grown in a controlled setting, there is no risk of conflict or human rights abuses associated with their production.

Finally, lab-grown diamonds offer superior quality in many ways. They are typically stronger and harder than natural diamonds, meaning they will resist wear and tear better over time. They also tend to be free of impurities, which can give them superior clarity and color. When it comes to diamond shopping, lab-grown diamonds offer the best of all worlds: affordability, environmental friendliness, and exceptional quality.

How the process of growing lab diamonds would remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The process of growing lab diamonds would remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere in a number of ways. First, the diamonds would be made from carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Second, the process of growing the diamonds would create a lot of energy, which could be used to power homes and businesses. Third, the diamonds would be used in products that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as electric vehicles and solar panels. Fourth, the diamonds would lock away greenhouse gases, preventing them from ever getting into the atmosphere, so they would not add to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions, quite the opposite.

“In the lab, you can grow diamonds one of two ways: under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Both processes start with what’s known as a “diamond seed,” a single crystal diamond in a slice about as thick as a human hair. Diamonds are grown over the course of several weeks through both processes.

High Pressure, High Temperature: In essence, HPHT is like a miniaturized version of the Earth’s mantle. Over a period of two months, the seeds undergo a series of processes that expose them to extremely high pressures and temperatures. 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact.” (Holden Jewlers) Through the help of a metal catalyst, carbon is converted to diamond through this process, building on the seeds. Fun fact: It’s also possible to use HPHT technology to boost the vibrancy of a natural diamond. 

Chemical Vapor Deposition: CVD, like CBD, is trending. Think of it sort of like 3D printing with gas: hydrogen and methane gases are heated to extremely high temperatures and turned into plasma that sprinkles tiny carbon pieces onto the diamond seed, Salt Bae style, ultimately growing a diamond.

Lab diamonds can be grown into computer circuitry.

Can anyone guess how long before Apple announces the Diamond Edition iPhone?

As the world’s demand for diamonds increases, so does the need for new sources of these precious gems. Lab-made diamonds are a promising option because they can be made with much less damage to the environment than mined diamonds.

But lab-created diamonds are not just a more sustainable option; they also have the potential to be used in a variety of high-tech applications. For example, scientists are currently working on using lab-grown diamonds to create computer circuitry.

diamond circuitry
Artist rendition of diamond grown circuitry.

Diamond is a very effective conductor of electricity, and it is also incredibly hard, making it less vulnerable to damage from heat or other stresses during use.

While the development of this technology is still in its early stages, the potential uses for lab-grown diamond computer circuitry (LGDC) are exciting to consider. In the future, we might see faster and better computers, as well as more advanced medical devices, scientific equipment, wearable technology, futuristic fashion, and a wide range of business uses.

The carbon crisis will be solved by the free market.

In recent years, the free market has been the driving force behind the development and deployment of many clean energy technologies. The private sector has invested billions of dollars in solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. And now, the free market is beginning to address the carbon crisis.

There are a number of innovative carbon-reduction technologies, in addition to lab-grown diamonds, being developed by the private sector. Some of these include:

1. Carbon capture and storage: This technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities and stores them underground.

2. Renewable energy: Solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy do not emit carbon dioxide when they generate electricity.

3. Electric vehicles: Electric vehicles emit far less carbon dioxide than traditional gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

4. Fuel cells: Fuel cells are a type of clean energy technology that convert hydrogen into electricity with no emissions of carbon dioxide or other pollutants.

The free market is already beginning to deploy these technologies at scale. For example, there are now over 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity for carbon capture and storage in the United States alone. And the cost of renewable energy has fallen dramatically in recent years, making it increasingly competitive with fossil fuels.

The private sector is also investing heavily in electric vehicles and fuel cells. Major automakers are rolling out new models of electric cars and trucks, while startup companies are working on innovative new designs for fuel cells.

But if lab grown diamonds take off, there will be a need to reduce production because they will be voraciously consumed by the diamond industry. 
Yes, if lab grown diamonds take off and are consumed voraciously by the diamond industry, it could have an impact on the carbon crisis. The production of lab-grown diamonds doesn’t have to create any emissions, so an increase in demand for these diamonds would result in a decrease in emissions from traditional diamond mining and reduce reliance on often deadly diamond mining practices. Finally, as more consumers purchase lab-grown diamonds, there is potential for increased awareness about the issues surrounding diamond production and its environmental impact.

Conclusion

The article concludes with a discussion of the potential for creating “diamonds from thin air.” The possibility of this technology becoming a widely utilized reality is uncertain until the energy component advances, but it would have major implications for civilization if it ever did. EcoTour Guides with GeoTrippin can tell you more about how the natural world removes carbon from the atmosphere. Ask your guide questions the next time you are kayaking.

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