What Are Synthetic Diamonds?
Scarcity and expense in extraction keep diamonds a rare and expensive commodity. Natural diamonds are in high demand and short in supply. They were formed long ago in the earth under specific conditions. Creating a synthetic product requires making a substance with characteristics that are as similar as possible to the real thing. Synthetic diamonds represent the attempt to reproduce a natural process and manufacture a gem that resembles the original.
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Natural Process
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Real diamonds represent carbon atoms that formed diamond crystals deep in the earth. These diamonds were then brought toward the surface through volcanic eruptions. Because diamonds themselves cannot be dated through any process, their age is unknown, but the age of other datable minerals found alongside the diamonds indicate it is likely diamonds are extremely old. The structure of the carbon atoms and their bonding makes diamonds very hard. That bonding, which occurs under very high temperatures and extreme pressures, is the factor that makes diamonds unique. Reproducing that process in a laboratory is the main challenge of making synthetic diamonds.
High Pressure
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One method of making synthetic diamonds involves simulating the process that forms natural diamonds. High pressure is used to crush carbon, which then is subjected to extreme heat. These diamonds can be used for sale in jewelry stores as long as they have the appearance of natural diamonds, and the difference generally can only be detected by an expert. Synthetic diamonds produced in this manner will not be good enough for industrial uses.
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CVD
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Carbon vapor deposition, or CVD, involves growing diamonds one crystal at a time. Carbon gases, along with pressure and heat, literally grow the diamonds one atom at a time, starting with a small diamond chip. In this method, the original growth process has been recreated.
Industrial Uses
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Industrial diamond use requires a steady supply of diamonds. Synthetic diamonds grown by the CVD method offer the potential to meet that demand. Semiconductors are currently made from silicon. Diamonds represent a better option because of their ability to run computers at a faster speed. According to Kevin Maney of "USA Today," synthetic diamonds could be used in lasers, cellphones and other electronic devices. As technology makes synthetic diamonds more plentiful and cost effective, industries are projected to increase their use of synthetic diamonds.
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References
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