THC Diamonds: What Are They & How Are They Made?

Diamonds are forever—unless those diamonds are made from cannabis.

Cannabis concentrates, or extracts, come in many different varieties these days. They have different textures, consistencies, flavors, and potencies. Consumers can choose from potent concentrates like shatter, batter, budder, crumble, wax, resin, rosin, distillate, sap, jam, sauce, rods, and diamonds.

Among the most potent forms of cannabis concentrate are THC diamonds. These diamonds appeal to different people for different reasons.

Many medical patients find THC diamonds a tasty alternative to shatter and other high-THC cannabis products. These patients report their effects to help with the symptoms of conditions like chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety, depression, stress, loss of appetite, insomnia, and more. THC helps people in many different ways, and the high level of THC found in cannabis diamonds is what a lot of medical patients are after.

Here’s everything you need to know about THC diamonds.

What Are THC Diamonds?

THC diamonds are a crystal-like structure commonly mixed with terp sauce for the final product. They’re a potent form of cannabis concentrate, most often heated with a dab rig or vaporizer.

However, these diamonds are actually THCA diamonds. Cresco Labs says, “Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis.” THCA turns into THC when heat is applied, effectively decarbing and turning into THC. Therefore, high THCA levels can lead to strong psychoactive effects after decarboxylation.

When we add heat to pure THCA diamonds, we evaporate off the “A” (acid) part of THCA, leaving us with THC. THC diamonds can be small, or they can be large, almost boulder-like chunks. They are potent, almost pure THC, averaging a concentration of 99%.

However, unlike live resin and other forms of concentrate that preserve the plant’s terpenes, THC diamonds don’t contain these compounds. That’s why they’re often packaged with terpene sauce to enhance the flavor and aroma.

The popularity of diamonds has increased thanks to cannabis legalization. THC diamonds are a type of product that used to be mainly found on the West Coast. Today, these diamonds can be found from coast to coast. Individuals suffering from chronic pain stemming from accidents, trauma, or medical conditions like arthritis, find high percentages of THC to be beneficial in helping control their symptoms.

These symptoms fit into so many different people’s lives today. This has led to an increase in the popularity of vaping THC diamonds. Some people just find it cool that they can dab something like a THC diamond. Admittingly, it does look cool when someone whips out a container full of chunky diamonds and sauce.

How Are THC Diamonds Made?

THC diamonds are similar to real diamonds because they both require heat and pressure to be formed. In most instances, THC diamonds come from live fresh, frozen cannabis plant material, though cured material can also be used. The extraction method used, commonly liquid petroleum gas extraction, aims to create THC isolate, where the high-THC percentages in THC crystals—or diamonds—come from. Once THC isolate is made, a solvent is added to it, then evaporated off, followed by precise levels of heat and pressure to make the diamonds.

Just like real diamonds, THC diamonds have different clarity and color characteristics. According to Oaksterdam University:

“Diamonds have unique colorations and clarity that are derived from terpenes and the purity of the crystalline structure. These unique characteristics show the quality of the crystals; the more yellow/gold color means more terpenes are present, and fogginess or lack of clarity in the crystals means there is solvent present. High clarity and a lack of color is a sign of a high-potency crystal; any other characteristics will diminish the potency.”

How To Smoke THC Diamonds

THC diamonds can be consumed in a number of ways, from dabbing to DIY moon rocks. Here are some effective ways to smoke THC diamonds:

• Dabbing – THC diamonds can be added to a dab rig, e-rig, or vaporizer or dabbed through a nectar collector.
• Hot Knifing – Carefully heat up two knives and press the diamonds between them for potent vapor.
• Adding to Bowls or Bongs – Load crushed diamonds into your bong and smoke them like you would a normal bowl.
• Making Moon Rocks – Make your own moon rocks by melting the diamonds and coating your buds with the melted product. (Tip: sprinkle kief on the coated buds for extra potency.

What Do They Taste Like?

THC diamonds will taste different from batch to batch. The diamonds themselves are relatively tasteless, having a very basic concentrate profile without terpenes. The real magic with THC diamonds happens with the sauce that is added to the finished product. Terpene sauce is a combination of terpenes and flavonoids preserved during the extraction process. It houses all of the flavor and aroma that gives this form of concentrate a beautiful range of flavor profiles.

Some processors add non-cannabis-derived terpenes to their THC diamonds. When this happens, you get strong flavors of blueberry, bubble gum, tropical fruit, apple, and others. A good THC diamond sauce will be created from 100% derived cannabis terpenes and flavonoids. When this happens, many magical flavor profiles of multiple cannabis strains are obtainable.

How Strong Are They?

THC diamonds are extremely strong. All cannabis concentrates are very potent. If you are new to cannabis or have low tolerance, you’ll want to be extremely careful when consuming these diamonds. On average, you can expect THC diamonds to have a THC percentage of 90% or higher.

Some people might believe that this means diamonds are better than other concentrates. That’s not necessarily the case. There is a lot to be said about isolating cannabinoids. When this happens, you lose the ability to benefit from something known as the entourage effect, when multiple cannabinoids work together synergistically to produce better effects than when isolated. However, it’s safe to say that in terms of potency, THC diamonds are high up on the chart of intoxicating effects.

Where to Purchase THC Diamonds:

When purchasing diamonds, you want to purchase them from a legally licensed cannabis dispensary that provides all the certified lab testing reports supporting their potency and purity.

The extraction process can leave behind potentially harmful residuals when not performed properly. By having concentrates that are tested by certified labs before being allowed to go to a consumer market, consumers have a piece of mind they are getting what they pay for. They also have a piece of mind knowing that your cannabis products are free from potentially harmful residuals. The same can’t be said when concentrates are purchased from the illicit market.

How Much Do They Cost?

The price of diamonds will vary from state to state and from processor to processor. As is with all concentrates, they are only as good as the material they come from. If you want top-quality, high-grade diamonds, they must be processed from top-quality cannabis to start with.

That means that you can expect to pay more based on the quality of the product you’re getting. That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to enjoy this form of concentrate. THC diamonds average from around $20 a gram and up. You can find higher quality for a lower price in states that have an abundance of cannabis, such as Oregon, Michigan, and others.

Arguably the most beneficial reason for utilizing THC diamonds over other cannabis concentrate options is the potency of the THC they contain. The fact that they look really cool is just an added bonus!

Benefits of THC Diamonds

While CBD is better known for its therapeutic effects, studies show that THC can also help manage pain, insomnia, anxiety, and nausea, among other symptoms.

As such, THC diamonds, because they’re made from pure THCA, are a potent and effective way to reap the potential benefits of THC. They also produce a more intense, long-lasting high.

Plus, because these diamonds are often packaged with natural terp sauce, they often have a high concentration of terpenes. These terpenes enhance the flavor and aroma of the diamonds, leading to a more enjoyable — and tastier — experience.

Lastly, THC diamonds are an incredibly versatile product that can be dabbed or vaped, as well as added to your bowls of flowers or used to make edibles. They can also be melted down and used to infuse joints.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Yes, high potency is a major benefit of THC diamonds. However, this high potency can also lead to a handful of adverse side effects if not consumed safely or carefully.

While it is highly improbable to lethally overdose on cannabis, too much THC can lead to impaired cognitive function and memory.

Additionally, it’s certainly possible to green out from cannabis. Too much THC may lead to severe paranoia and anxiety, as well as physical symptoms like nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, chills, or dizziness.

As such, it’s always better to start with a low dosage when using a highly potent THC product. Once you know how THC diamonds make you feel, you can adjust your dosage based on preference and personal tolerance.

The Bottom Line

THC diamonds are one of the purest forms of cannabis concentrate, and have the potential to offer serious relief from a variety of medical conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

For the best and safest experience, always purchase from licensed dispensaries. For even more insight into how THC diamonds could help with your personal symptoms, talk to a medical marijuana doctor about getting your med card, and start your journey towards effective relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are THC diamonds legal?

THC diamonds are legal, because they are made using hemp-derived THCA which is legal under the Farm Bill of 2018.

Will THCA diamonds get me high?

Yes, THCA diamonds will get you high. Once the THCA is decarbed through dabbing, vaping, or smoking, it converts into regular THC.

What’s the difference between shatter and diamonds?

While both are known for their high potency, diamonds generally offer a higher concentration of THCA (which transforms into THC when heated). On the other hand, shatter delivers a more balanced experience, as it has a more natural profile of cannabinoids and terpenes.