Cannabis extracts have been blowing up in popularity in recent years, and most market projections suggest the momentum isn't stopping anytime soon. Sales are booming, with extracts contributing to billions of dollars in sales each year.
Much of the market's popularity stems from the quality of its high-potency products and their ongoing evolution. Diamond and sauce represent just that.
Emerging about five or six years ago, depending on the source, this gooey mixture may not always present the most appealing appearance. But a quick closer look will reveal what has people buzzing. By producing THC levels previously unheard of in most products, diamonds and sauce represent the latest wave of extract evolution and its impact on numerous legal markets.
What are THC Diamonds?
First, let's talk about the potent component that's got people on notice: THC crystals. Also known as crystalline, THC crystals are the end product of cannabis being isolated down to a singular compound. Rather than containing a range of plant cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds, THC crystals, also known as THC diamonds or live diamonds, contain just the one cannabinoid – all others are removed during the extraction process. However, it isn’t actually THC; it’s THCA that’s captured.
Crystals are formed through an acetic acid extraction process that utilizes solvents such as butane to separate and extract various plant compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and lipids. From there, the THCA goes through a closed-loop extraction process to remove any remaining solvents used during extraction. In the end, the extraction process leaves just the THCA in a crystal-like form, which can then be consumed or added to other products.
These crystalline items are the diamonds in a diamond and sauce extract. But it isn't just their jewel-like look that has people talking. When appropriately extracted, diamonds can be 99% pure THC.
What makes diamonds and sauce interesting is that the mixture maintains its taste and aroma despite being an isolate. Typically, cannabis products lose these unique properties when isolated from their terpenes and other critical compounds. But with diamonds and sauce, a “sauce” helps preserve these qualities, giving the extract an additional bit of potency, flavor, and aroma to the experience.
What is Terp Sauce?
Terp sauce, also known as high terpene full spectrum extracts, comprises the second part of this potent duo. Containing high levels of terpenes and THCA, the sauce not only makes your diamonds and sauce that much more potent – but is also responsible for the enjoyable flavors and aromas that come with it.
Terp sauce can be produced using various extraction processes and solvents, including butane, CO2, and other hydrocarbons. Once the oil is extracted from the cannabis plant, it goes into a container where it will stay for several weeks or months. During this time, crystals will form as terpenes separate. This is when the sauce begins to come to life. THCA crystals begin to form on the bottom and sides of the container while the remaining cannabinoids and terpenes remain to create what we call sauce. Percentages can vary, but a well-made terp sauce should ideally contain at least 13% terpenes and 60% THC.
After the crystals begin to form from the extract, the sauce and diamonds are separated and purged to remove the remaining solvents. The terp sauce and diamonds are mixed, with the nearly 99% THCA crystals blending with other plant cannabinoids and compounds. In the end, the diamonds and sauce mixture tends to contain between 30-40% pure THCA crystals, with the rest made up of various cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as a high terpene sauce.
The process can be time-consuming compared to other extracts. Producers invest significant time stabilizing the sauce and preserving as much THCA as possible. While it may require patience, the end result is certainly worth it.
Diamonds and Sauce: A Perfect Combination
The combination of diamonds and THC sauce is now regarded as one of the premier experiences available today.
When combined, diamonds and sauce deliver one of the most potent and flavorful experiences on the market today. Consumers receive the best of both worlds by combining top-shelf diamonds with flavorful, potent sauce. This means you're receiving a significant dose of various cannabinoids and terpenes. The high dosage creates a flavorful, aromatic experience coupled with one of the more robust doses you can find.
More so, when paired together, crystallized THCA and terp sauce combine to create an extract offering that few, if any, other items have been able to come close to. Featuring prominent levels of THCA, along with other cannabinoids and terpenes, diamonds and sauce have become sought-after choices for dabbing and vape cart production.
The Effects of Diamonds and Sauce
With THC levels testing in the 90s, consumers should be prepared for a substantial dose in every hit. While THC isn’t the be-all and end-all of quality, it is an indication of what you can expect. Combining the high THC content with significant doses of various plant compounds results in a diamond sauce that offers an experience reminiscent of consuming the whole plant but with greater potency.
In short, expect a hefty dose in every hit from a diamond sauce. The effects are strong enough even to throw veteran consumers for a loop. So, be careful, especially if you’re a newcomer or have a lighter tolerance.
How to Use Diamonds and Sauce?
Diamonds and sauce are typically consumed in one of two ways. Some will put the extract into edibles, but more often than not, people will dab with it.
Dabbing THC diamonds and sauce follows a standard process similar to dabbing with other extracts. Choose your favorite dabbing method, either by placing the extract onto a preheated banger or by doing a cold start. Afterward, wait for the extract to begin vaporizing before you start consuming.
Thanks to continued cannabis consumption tech evolution, dabbing has become a more simplified process as well. Today, you can use one of many dab pen styles to dip your heated device into the extract for a quick and easy dab.
How Are Diamonds and Sauce Made?
First, let’s start by saying you shouldn’t make diamonds and sauce at home. The process involves highly volatile solvents that should only be used in safe, licensed facilities. Doing so anywhere else has led to catastrophic disasters. So, leave this to the pros.
Extractors commonly employ three methods to create THC diamonds in sauce:
- Jar Tech: This is regarded as the most cost-efficient method, involving extractors using a mason jar to contain the extraction process. While cost-efficient, this method is difficult to control and can lead to cracks, broken glass, and ruined extracts.
- Diamond Mining: Similar to the jar tech method, this process employs a steel container instead of glass. The container is more sophisticated and larger in size, allowing for more extracts to be produced while better-maintaining product quality through pressure gauging and control.
- Proprietary Extraction: Various industrial-grade devices have hit the market. These items are touted as being more efficient and easier to control than the previous two methods.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
