What are THC diamonds and how are they made?

In the world of cannabis, diamonds are not precious gems. Learn the process behind making THC diamonds, how you can smoke them, and how they differ from other cannabis concentrates. 

What are THCA diamonds?

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) diamonds are a type of cannabis concentrate known for their purity and high THC content. To be clear, THC diamonds are more accurately known as “THCA diamonds” because THCA is THC acid, the precursor to THC, the most abundant and intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis. THCA converts into THC after being exposed to high temperatures. 

photo of live resin diamonds Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps
Live resin diamonds

Diamonds are another term for the crystalline structures that form in sauce, a cannabis concentrate with high levels of terpenes and a runny texture. Sauce can contain a mixture of both terpene-rich liquid and THCA diamonds. Further processing separates the THCA diamonds and refines them into crystalline THCA, a powdery concentrate comprised mainly of the cannabinolic acid. 

Do THCA diamonds get you high?

Absolutely. They are one of the most potent forms of cannabis concentrates available, often containing 90 to 99% THCA. When heated (smoked or vaporized), THCA converts into THC, delivering a very potent high. This process, known as decarboxylation, activates the THC and produces the intoxicating, psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis use.

How to make THCA diamonds

There are two ways to make THCA diamonds: the closed-loop extraction method and the crystalline method. 

Closed-loop extraction method

The closed-loop extraction method is designed to safely extract THCA from cannabis plants while minimizing exposure to solvents. This method requires specialized equipment and expertise to produce THCA diamonds safely and effectively. 

Here's a step-by-step overview of how it works:

  1. Prepare the plant material. First, load the trichome and cannabinoid-rich cannabis plant material into an extraction column.
  2. Introduce a solvent. Add a solvent, commonly butane or propane, to the extraction column. The closed-loop system ensures that the solvent circulates through the cannabis material. As the solvent passes through the plant material, it extracts the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other desired compounds, resulting in a mixture of these compounds with the solvent.
  3. Collect the extract. Collect the mixture in a separate part of the system, often subjected to heat and pressure. This helps in separating the solvent from the cannabinoid-rich oil.
  4. Evaporate most of the solvent. Standard extractions aim to remove all the solvents quickly, but in the case of THCA diamonds, a significant amount of solvent is intentionally left in the mixture. This creates a supersaturated solution.
  5. Crystallize the solution. Subject the supersaturated solution to specific temperatures and pressure over an extended period ranging from days to weeks. These conditions promote the slow formation of THCA crystals.
  6. Purge and process. Once the THCA crystals have formed, the remaining solvent is gradually purged from the system using controlled heating and vacuum pressure. The result is THCA diamonds, which are often left within a terpene-rich sauce, depending on the desired product. The closed-loop system ensures that the solvent is contained and recycled within the system, reducing the risk of explosions and increasing the purity of the final product.

Crystalline method

Professional extractors commonly use this method in well-equipped laboratories to ensure safety and consistency in the final product. 

The specialized process involves a few key steps:

  1. Prepare the solution. The crystalline method starts with a supersaturated solution or a cannabis concentrate with some solvent left in the mixture.
  2. Induce crystallization. Place the supersaturated solution in a controlled environment where specific temperatures and pressure start the formation of THCA crystals. The crystallization process can take several days to weeks, during which THCA precipitates out of the solution and forms crystals. The longer this process continues, the larger the crystals can grow.
  3. Separate the crystals. Once the crystals have formed to the desired size, separate them from the remaining liquid (sauce). Then, purge any residual solvent from the THCA diamonds using a vacuum oven. 

How to smoke THCA diamonds

Since THCA is non-psychoactive until it is decarboxylated, applying heat to experience its effects is essential. 

Here's how you can smoke THCA diamonds:

Dabbing

Person inhaling from dab rig Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis concentrates, such as wax, shatter, or THCA diamonds, by vaporizing them on a hot surface and inhaling the resulting vapor. You use a dab rig, which consists of a glass water pipe, a nail or banger (made of glass, quartz, or titanium), and a torch to heat the nail. Place the concentrate on the heated nail, which will cause it to vaporize instantly, and inhale the vapor through the rig. 

Dabbing delivers a potent dose of cannabinoids quickly and efficiently, resulting in a more intense experience compared to other consumption methods.

Vaporizing with a vape pen

vaping weed Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Vaporizing THCA diamonds using a vape pen can be convenient, but you must use a vape pen compatible with THCA diamonds. If you have a compatible, loadable vape pen, use a dab tool to place a pea-sized amount of THCA diamonds into the concentrate chamber, then close the chamber. Heat the diamonds to your preferred temperature and inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece. Always clean your vape pen after each use with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. 

Add to flower

smoking hash in a pipe Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Adding THCA diamonds to flower is a straightforward process that enhances the potency of your smoking experience. Start by grinding your cannabis flower and placing it in your preferred smoking device, like a pipe, bong, or joint. Then, place a rice-grain amount of THCA diamonds on top of the ground flower. When you light the flower, the heat will burn the flower and vaporize the THCA diamonds, converting it into THC and intensifying the overall effects. 

Live resin vs diamonds: what's the difference?

THCA diamonds and live resin are both popular types of cannabis concentrates, but they differ significantly in their production methods, appearance, potency, and consumption experience:

  • Production: Live resin is produced using fresh cannabis plants that are flash-frozen immediately after harvest. The freezing process preserves the plant's terpenes and cannabinoids, producing a final product rich in flavor and aroma. The extraction process usually involves solvents like butane or CO2. THCA diamonds involve carefully controlling temperature and pressure to form crystalline structures of THCA. The process often involves leaving some solvent in the extract to promote crystal growth.
  • Texture: Live resin typically has a gooey, sticky, or saucy consistency, similar to honey. Its color can range from light golden to dark amber. Diamonds appear as clear or translucent crystals resembling tiny diamonds. They are usually solid and hard in texture.
  • Potency: Live resin is generally less potent than diamonds. The focus is more on preserving the full spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids, offering a balanced and aromatic experience. Diamonds, meanwhile, often reach upwards of 90 - 99% THCA. They are one of the most potent forms of cannabis concentrates.
  • Flavor: Live resin is known for its robust and complex flavor profile, closely mirroring the original aroma and taste of the fresh cannabis plant. Diamonds lack the full terpene profile that contributes to the flavor and aroma unless combined with a terpene-rich sauce.
  • Experience: Live resin offers a rich, flavorful experience with a significant but manageable high. Diamonds provide a very intense and powerful high due to their high THC concentration. 

Crumble vs diamonds: What's the difference?

shatter budder crumble Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Crumble and THCA diamonds have several distinct differences:

  • Production: Crumble is made using a solvent-based extraction method, typically butane or CO2. After the initial extraction, the mixture is purged of solvents at a lower temperature and under a vacuum, creating a crumbly texture. The THCA diamond process involves carefully manipulating temperature and pressure to form crystalline structures of THCA. This process can include leaving some solvent in the mixture to promote crystal growth and then slowly purging it out.
  • Texture: Crumble has a dry, crumbly texture, similar to feta cheese or honeycomb, and can break apart easily. Diamonds are clear or translucent, and the texture is typically hard and solid.
  • Potency: Crumble is typically less potent than diamonds, which are among the most potent forms of cannabis concentrates available.
  • Flavor: Crumble has a rich and varied flavor profile because it retains many terpenes. Meanwhile, diamonds typically lack the full spectrum of terpenes unless combined with a terpene-rich sauce. The focus is more on potency than flavor.
  • Experience: Crumble's texture makes it versatile for various consumption methods like dabbing, vaping, or sprinkling on top of flower. Diamonds provide an intense high and are typically consumed through dabbing.

Terp sauce vs diamonds: What's the difference?

Terp sauce and THCA diamonds have many distinct differences:

  • Production: Terp sauce, or terpene sauce, is (unsurprisingly) rich in terpenes, the aromatic oils found in cannabis. It's made by extracting these oils along with cannabinoids. The resulting product is a viscous, sticky sauce that is high in terpenes and can contain various levels of THC. By contrast, THCA diamonds are crystalline structures of nearly pure THCA formed by extracting THC and then creating conditions for THCA to crystallize, often leaving behind a liquid high in terpenes, which can be terp sauce.
  • Texture: Terp sauce is a thick, sticky liquid with a consistency similar to honey. Its color can range from clear to amber. Diamonds appear as clear or translucent crystals and are typically solid and hard.
  • Potency: With terp sauce, the emphasis is more on the terpene profile. The concentration of THC can vary depending on the strain and extraction method. Diamonds are extremely potent, often containing over 90% THCA. When heated, THCA converts to THC, delivering a powerful high.
  • Flavor: Terp sauce is famous for its robust flavor and aroma, closely mimicking the profile of the original cannabis strain. The high terpene content enhances both taste and smell. Diamonds may lack flavor and aroma unless mixed with terp sauce or other terpene-rich concentrates.
  • Experience: Terp sauce offers a flavorful experience with a significant but balanced high. Diamonds provide a very intense and powerful high due to their high THC content. 

What is diamond mining?

Diamond mining is an industry term for the process of making THCA diamonds and harvesting them from sauce. Depending on the size of the cannabinoid crystals and the overall consistency of the sauce, it may be possible to separate the crystals from the concentrate entirely. Ideally, diamond mining should result in two products: pure crystalline THCA diamonds and terp sauce consisting of more than 50% terpenes and all other extracted cannabinoids.

FAQ

What does “diamond-infused” mean?

Some products, like vape cartridge oils or dabs, might be infused with THCA diamonds, increasing their potency. Occasionally, pre-rolled joints are marketed as diamond-infused, meaning the joints are either rolled with flower mixed with THCA diamonds or sprinkled inside the joint.

How much do THCA diamonds cost?

THCA diamonds are often on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other types of cannabis concentrates. It's not uncommon to see prices ranging from $30 to $100 per gram or more, but these figures can vary depending on the quality and region.

Was this article helpful? Give Feedback

Up Next

glob of cannabis badder and sugar

What is live resin?

Plant

Live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from fresh frozen cannabis plants. Learn more about live resin.

Read More
medical cannabis

Does Weed help PTSD? What the studies show

Body

A new report from the UK finds that cannabis improves quality of life and provides other significant benefits in individuals suffering from PTSD. Learn more about treating PTSD with medical marijuana.

Read More
Piattella on wrapper

What is Piattella cold cured hash?

Plant

There’s a lot of hype around Piattella lately. Learn what it is, how to make it, and why hash heads consider it the best ever.

Read More

{EMAIL}
has been subscribed!

The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as medical or legal advice. This page was last updated on February 9, 2024.