All articles tagged with #synthetic diamonds
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a low-pressure, electron-beam method to convert adamantane into defect-free nanodiamonds, opening new possibilities for advanced imaging, analysis, and quantum technology applications, challenging previous assumptions about organic molecule stability under electron irradiation.
Researchers at Beihang University have observed self-healing in synthetic diamonds at room temperature. By creating nanotwinned diamond composites (ntDC) and inducing cracks, the team found that the presence of specific carbon atoms allowed for healing as they bonded with each other. The healed samples exhibited a tensile strength of 34%. This discovery could lead to the development of more durable diamonds for various applications.
De Beers, one of the world's leading diamond companies, is cutting prices for certain types of rough diamonds by more than 40% due to falling demand caused by the increasing popularity of lab-grown stones, particularly in the US. The decline in demand for natural diamonds in this category raises questions about whether it represents a permanent shift and if lab-grown gems will eventually impact the more expensive diamond market dominated by Asian buyers. Lab-grown diamonds, which offer a cheaper alternative without the environmental or social downsides of mined diamonds, are gaining traction and have seen their share of diamond exports from India rise from 1% to 9% in the past five years. However, the lab-grown diamond industry is also facing challenges as prices have plunged even more steeply than natural stones.