The High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) diamond making process is one of the methods used to create synthetic or lab-grown diamonds. Here are the key steps in the HPHT diamond-making process:
Seed Crystal Selection: The process begins with the selection of a small natural diamond fragment or a synthetic diamond “seed.” This seed crystal will serve as the foundation for the new diamond’s growth.
High Pressure Chamber: The selected seed crystal is placed in a high-pressure chamber along with carbon source material, typically graphite. The chamber is then sealed to create a controlled environment.
High Temperature and Pressure: The sealed chamber is subjected to extreme conditions of high pressure and high temperature, mimicking the natural conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle. Pressures can range from 725,000 to 1.2 million pounds per square inch (psi), and temperatures can reach over 2,200 degrees Celsius (3,992 degrees Fahrenheit).
Carbon Dissolution: Under these extreme conditions, the carbon source material begins to dissolve into a molten state.
Diamond Growth: The carbon in the molten state is attracted to the seed crystal. Carbon atoms are added layer by layer to the seed crystal, slowly growing a synthetic diamond.
Cooling and Pressure Release: After the desired diamond size is achieved, the chamber is gradually cooled, and the pressure is released. This process can take several days to complete.
Removal and Cutting: The grown diamond, which is still rough and uncut, is then removed from the chamber. It may undergo cutting and polishing processes to shape it into a marketable gem.
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