What Are THC Diamonds (and How to Make Them)

Cannabis extracts are undoubtedly one of the most popular consumer verticals in legal cannabis today. This is no surprise, as extracts have been critical to the underground market for years, dating back to items like kief and hair straightener pressed rosin.

Years of innovation have led us to a slew of extraction methods. Using numerous processes, solvents, storage methods, and other critical components, producers have created a world of cannabis extracts for us to enjoy. 

Much of that enjoyment comes from extracts that deliver a superior plant profile, cannabinoid potencies, and the subsequent effects that go along with it. One of the most exciting extracts in recent years has been THC diamonds, or what many consider today the most potent extract on the market.

What are THC Diamonds?

Also known as THC crystals or crystalline, diamonds are a solitary cannabinoid, AKA an isolate. When cannabis is isolated down to a single compound, it takes on a gem-like appearance, with its sizes and clarity varying based upon an array of factors, including solvents used in extraction and the storage temperature. These factors do not indicate quality but can often be confused for that. 

It's technically a misnomer to call these extracts THC diamonds, which isn't accurate. In fact, diamonds only contain the cannabinoid THCA, a precursor to THC. To convert THCA diamonds to THC, they must be heated, triggering a process known as decarboxylation.

Consumers rave about THC diamonds for several reasons, ranging from:

• Single Compound: Many champion the whole plant profile as having the best effects, but many believe that isolate is the "purest" way of consuming THC or other desired cannabinoids and compounds.
• Potency: THC potency should never be a singular determining factor in quality like some make it out to be. But if you are looking for THC potency, diamonds deliver 99% pure THC, thanks to being an isolate.
• Easy to Mix: An isolate is an ideal mixing partner for other cannabis products. Rather than concern yourself with the whole plant profile, using an isolate ensures that you enhance the potency of only one plant compound at a time.

The Potency and Purity of THC Diamonds

Once converted, THC diamonds are at the top of the potency pyramid for cannabis extracts. This distinction is made possible thanks to the presence of only a single cannabinoid. With whole plant profiles and distillates, various compounds are in the mix. That isn't the case with an isolate, which is distilled down to its diamond-like singular form. 

"Pure" can be a loaded word, depending on the person using it. But when it comes to THC diamonds, pure is often used interchangeably with the totality of the plant profile. In that case, THC diamonds are considered the purest of the bunch, containing only THCA. However, if you advocate for the whole plant profile, that distinction will likely not jive with you.

In any case, there's no arguing that THC diamonds deliver a potent punch. With most concentrates coming in at around 70% to 90% THC, an isolate like diamonds will always provide more if you're looking for that cannabinoid alone.

How to Smoke THC Diamonds

Diamonds are not only potent, they're incredibly versatile as well. Thanks to their potency and ability to mix with other products, users can consume diamonds on their own or with several of their favorite ways to enjoy the plant. Some of the most popular options include:

1. Edibles: Isolates are one of the best and most commonly used methods for edible production. Isolates can be mixed into various oils, badders, and other ingredients during production. The same can be said for adding isolates to just about any beverage, though you may want to choose a finer isolate instead of a diamond. In either case, ensure that your diamonds have been decarboxylated before mixing if you want to enjoy THC rather than THCA.
2. Topicals: Isolates also work great with lotions, balms, and other skin treatment products. You can mix diamonds into store-bought or homemade items. Apply the same decarboxylation rules as you would for edibles if you want to infuse THC into your topicals.
3. Smoke: Like most popular concentrates, you can add THC diamonds to joints, spliffs, blunts, bowls, and bongs.
4. Vape Cart: Check your dispensaries for products like liquid diamond cartridges. These items contain THCA diamond-infused oil that converts to THC once the battery heats the vape cart's contents.
5. Dab: Dabbing is an ideal way to consume THC diamonds when mixed with another extract. One of the more popular ones around today is diamonds and sauce. When you have THC diamonds in some sauce, bust out your rig or dab pen and enjoy some of the most flavorful, aromatic, and potent concentrates around.

How to Dab

The evolution of dabbing has allowed us to consume cannabis in a variety of ways. From large rigs to handheld devices, these are some of the best ways you can dab THC diamonds and terp sauce or other popular mixtures:

1. Rig, Banger, and Torch: This classic method requires you to heat your banger until it is glowing red hot. Then, scoop your concentrate onto the scalding hot banger, which is converted into vapor for you to consume.
2. E-Nail: Instead of using a torch, you can turn to an electronic device that automatically heats the banger to your desired temperature. This method is excellent for anyone who wants to avoid open flames or for anyone who enjoys specific dabbing temperatures.
3. Handheld Device: While some classic rigs now come in smaller, bong-like handheld sizes, most handheld devices are now considered pocket-sized items. They include dipper and pen devices that contain a heated coil that only needs to touch the surface of the concentrates to begin vaporization. 

How Are THC Diamonds Made?

First and foremost, leave the THC diamond production to the professionals with a lab for this kind of operation. You're handling highly volatile solvents no matter which method you use to make diamonds. In worst-case scenarios, these chemicals can lead to fires and explosions that have ended lives and destroyed neighborhoods. If you want to make your own, go to school, become a chemist, and get educated on it.

That said, producers use three different types of production methods to create THCA diamonds:

1. Jar Tech: This is the original and most cost-efficient way to make diamonds. The method remains one of the most trusted, but evolution has made newer methods better at minimizing risks during production.
2. Diamond Mining: Diamond mining is built off of jar tech, creating a stainless steel container for extraction. In doing so, diamond mining has created a more secure storage facility while increasing production capacity inside the container. Some producers employ several diamond miners, connecting the containers into a chain system that keeps the operation consistent and efficient.
3. Patented Devices: Thanks to a growing number of extraction companies, this option is an umbrella term in and of itself. Companies with various IP licenses on extraction tech claim to be the best in the business.

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.