At an age when you can get almost anything online, it’s probably no surprise that you can buy a diamond-making machine for $200,000 on the Chinese ecommerce site Alibaba. If you, like me, don’t pay much attention to the diamond industry, it turns out that the presence of these machines reflects a continuing trend toward the democratization of diamond production—a process that began decades ago and continues to evolve. .
The history of lab-grown diamonds dates back at least half a century. According to Harvard graduate student Javid Lakha, writing in a comprehensive piece on lab-grown diamonds published in Works in Progress last month, the first successful synthesis of diamonds in a laboratory took place in the 1950s. Lakha recounts how Howard Tracy Hall, a chemist at General Electric, created the first lab-grown diamonds using a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) process that mimics the conditions under which diamonds are formed. diamonds in nature.
Since then, diamond manufacturing technology has grown significantly. Today, there are two main methods for creating lab-grown diamonds: the HPHT process and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Both types of machines are now listed on Alibaba, with prices starting at around $200,000, as engineer John Nagle (who goes by “Animats” on Hacker News) points out. A CVD machine we found was more expensive, at around $450,000.
Not a Simple Operation
While the idea of ​​buying a diamond-making machine on Alibaba may sound intriguing, it’s important to note that operating one isn’t as simple as plugging it in and watching diamonds form. According to Lakha’s article, these machines require significant expertise and additional resources to operate effectively.
For an HPHT press, you’ll need a reliable source of high-quality graphite, metal catalysts like iron or cobalt, and precise temperature and pressure control systems. CVD machines require a continuous supply of methane and hydrogen gas, as well as the ability to generate and control microwaves or hot filaments. Both methods require diamond seed crystals to initiate the growth process.
Additionally, you will need specialized knowledge to manage growth parameters, handle potentially hazardous materials and high-pressure equipment, and process the resulting rough diamonds into usable gems or industry part. Machines also use a large amount of energy and require regular maintenance. Those factors may subject the process to certain regulations beyond the scope of this part.
In short, while these machines are more accessible than ever, turning one into a productive diamond-making operation will still require a significant investment in equipment, materials, expertise, and safety measures. . But hey, a man can dream, right?
The Great Diamond Glut
Sometimes a Hacker News comment is worth more than its weight in gold (or diamonds), and John Nagle, who developed the Nagle algorithm for improving the efficiency of TCP/IP networks in the 1980s, posted one in response to Lakha’s article. It contains factoids about diamonds, with resources, worth relaying for anyone interested in the current state of diamond production.
A notable development comes from De Beers, the diamond corporation known for its dominance of the natural diamond market. Through Element Six’s R&D operation, the company is capable of producing synthetic diamonds with flaw levels in the parts-per-billion range. This level of purity far exceeds what is required for jewelry, entering the realm of high-tech applications. Element Six has even been able to create diamond windows for lasers up to 10 centimeters wide, showing the potential for large, ultra-pure synthetic diamonds.
On the natural diamond front, there has been surprising success. Nagle points out that the industry has developed an industrial x-ray system to examine stones before crushing, helping to preserve large diamonds that can be damaged during extraction. This technology has led to some impressive finds, including a 2,492-carat diamond discovered last month. The sorter for this job comes from TOMRA, a company known for high-volume sorting systems used in recycling and food processing.
