A groundbreaking technique developed by scientists now allows for the synthesis of diamonds at normal atmospheric pressure and without the need for a starter gem — in just 15 minutes.

Traditionally, natural diamonds form deep within Earth’s mantle, where immense pressures and scorching temperatures are the norm. These extreme conditions, reaching several gigapascals and over 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius), facilitate the diamond formation process over millions of years.

Currently, 99% of artificially created diamonds are produced using a method called high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) growth. This technique replicates the natural conditions by applying intense pressure and heat to carbon dissolved in liquid metals, like iron, around a small seed or starter diamond. 

The newly developed technique eliminates several drawbacks of current methods for making diamonds. A research team led by Rodney Ruoff, a physical chemist at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea, published their findings in the latest edition of the journal Nature.

“For over a decade I have been thinking about new ways to grow diamonds, as I thought it might be possible to achieve this in what might be unexpected (per ‘conventional’ thinking) ways,” Mr. Ruoff told Live Science via email.

Designed by Won Kyung Seong, a co-author also from the Institute for Basic Science, a 2.4-gallon (9 liters) chamber could be prepared for experiments in just 15 minutes, enabling the team to test various metal and gas concentrations rapidly.

After extensive experimentation, the researchers discovered that a mixture of gallium, nickel, and iron, along with a small amount of silicon, was optimal for catalyzing diamond growth. With this blend, they were able to produce diamonds from the crucible’s base in just 15 minutes. Within two and a half hours, a more complete diamond film had formed.

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