This new process eliminates the need for a starter gem. Also streamlines the production of lab-grown diamonds.
This offers a more efficient and potentially scalable approach to diamond manufacturing. This happens by redefining conventional techniques.
The discovery marks a significant step forward in diamond synthesis.
How Diamonds Form in Nature
Natural diamonds originate 90 to 150 miles beneath the Earth’s surface.
Where extreme temperatures—around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—and immense pressures force carbon atoms to bond into a unique crystal structure.
By forming the hard, brilliant gems we cherish.
However, these diamonds wouldn’t exist at the surface without volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. These eruptions acted like express elevators.
Carrying diamonds upward in rocks like kimberlite and lamproite. Over time, erosion has scattered them into riverbeds.
Replicating Nature in the Lab
To replicate these extreme conditions, scientists traditionally rely on the high-pressure.
High-temperature (HPHT) method. Here, carbon dissolved in liquid metals. Such as iron, crystallizes into diamonds under conditions similar to the Earth’s mantle.
However, this method has challenges. Maintaining extreme temperatures and pressures is both difficult and costly. The resulting diamonds are typically small—often no larger than a blueberry.
An alternative technique, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), eliminates some of HPHT’s challenges, like high pressure, but still requires a starter diamond for growth.
A Breakthrough in Diamond Synthesis
Led by Rodney Ruoff, a physical chemist at South Korea’s Institute for Basic Science, the research team developed a novel method that circumvents these limitations. Ruoff, who spent over a decade exploring alternative approaches to diamond growth, devised a process involving gallium—chosen for its catalytic properties identified in graphene-related research—and silicon.
The team designed a special chamber containing a 2.4-gallon graphite crucible, electrically heated and operating at sea-level atmospheric pressure. This setup allowed for rapid adjustments to the experimental gas mixtures to determine the optimal combination for diamond growth.
After extensive trials, the researchers discovered that a blend of gallium, nickel, iron, and trace amounts of silicon most effectively catalyzed diamond formation. Remarkably, tiny diamonds began to appear within just 15 minutes at the crucible’s base, and a more complete diamond film formed within two and a half hours.
Unraveling the Mystery of Diamond Growth
The exact mechanism behind diamond formation in this new process is not fully understood, echoing the mysteries of natural diamond creation deep within the Earth. However, the researchers believe that cooling temperatures drive carbon from methane gas toward the center of the crucible, where it crystallizes into diamonds. Silicon appears to play a critical role—without it, no diamonds form—suggesting it acts as a “seed” for carbon crystallization.
Limitations and Future Potential
While revolutionary, the new method does have limitations. The diamonds produced are incredibly small—hundreds of thousands of times smaller than those created using HPHT—making them unsuitable for jewelry. However, their potential applications in technology, such as in drilling or polishing, are promising.
Moreover, the process’s low-pressure conditions raise the possibility of scaling up production significantly. Ruoff remains optimistic, predicting that within the next year or two, the technique’s commercial impact will become clearer.
“This breakthrough could reshape how synthetic diamonds are produced and applied,” Ruoff suggests.
A Step Toward the Future
This remarkable discovery reflects the relentless pursuit of innovation that pushes scientific boundaries and redefines what’s possible. While the practical applications of this method remain to be seen, it opens the door to a new chapter in synthetic diamond technology.
The full study is published in Nature.
