Ever heard of “weed diamonds?” No, you can’t wear them, but they do shine differently. Commonly referred to as THCA diamonds, they are a form of cannabis concentrate that resembles the appearance of diamonds, hence the name. These tiny crystals are popular among experienced cannabis users looking for a more intense result. 

Curious about THCA diamonds, how they compare to other cannabis concentrates, their production process, and the best consumption methods? Here’s the lowdown on THC diamond concentrates. 

🔑 Key Takeaways

• THCA diamonds and THC diamonds are interchangeably used with one another, referring to crystalized forms of the acidic form of THC—THCA.
• Diamonds, as concentrates, are primarily processed through closed-loop extraction, crystalline, and diamond mining methods. 
• THCA diamond stands out among rival concentrates (live resin, crumble, and terp sauce) for its high potency. 
• Diamond cannabis concentrates are heated and consumed through dab rigs, vapes, and in combination with cannabis flower. 

What are THCA Diamonds?

THCA diamonds, or weed diamonds, are a concentrated form of THC-dominant cannabis. They are made from tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which is one of many cannabinoids naturally present in cannabis plants like marijuana and hemp. 

THCA serves as a precursor to Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active compound in marijuana plants. When exposed to heat, THCA transforms into THC. 

THCA doesn’t appear to have any psychoactive effects on its own. However, when heated and consumed, THCA exudes the same psychoactive effects as THC. This means it can cause a euphoric “high” when smoked or vaped.  

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THCA concentrates usually come in the form of wax diamonds. When touched, they resemble small crystals and have a hard, slightly waxy feel. Partially transparent, THCA diamonds have a yellowish tint. 

Products like THCA diamonds are often marketed as “THC diamonds.” This is because the concentrate contains high levels of THC when it undergoes the process known as decarboxylation.

The THC content in concentrates is usually anywhere between 70 and 95%. Some products on the market offer up to 99.9% THC diamonds. Because of these high THC levels, you will only need a small amount of diamond concentrates to start feeling its impact. 

The out-of-this-world strength of diamonds makes them a suitable choice for experienced users. However, beginners may try the product as well, given they always observe the rule of starting with a low dose and going slow with the next dose. 

THCA diamonds and THC products offer users a cost-effective way of enjoying high-potency cannabis because of the small amount you need to produce larger-than-life effects.

How are THC Diamonds Made?

THCA diamonds do not exist naturally—manufacturers use synthetic processes to create them. These processes are precise, as they must prevent the THCA from heating up and converting to THC before hardening.

Here are three of the most common ways of producing THCA diamonds. 

The Closed-Loop Extraction Method

The closed-loop extraction method is a technique used to isolate and separate cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. This process can create many different types of cannabis concentrate in addition to THCA. 

Here’s an overview of the process:

Step 1: Solvent is added to the cannabis plant. 

The solvent dissolves the cannabis plant, so manufacturers can isolate the cannabinoids or terpenes of their choice. Propane and butane are two of the most common solvents used. 

The closed-loop extraction is done entirely in a closed system. This is primarily for safety reasons, as solvents are flammable. Keeping the process in an enclosed system prevents solvents from interacting with other chemicals and causing a fire hazard. It also ensures that manufacturing staff aren’t exposed directly to the solvents. 

Using a closed-loop system gives manufacturers more control over the extraction process. This allows them to extract the THCA more efficiently and ensure a higher-quality product. 

Step 2: THCA sauce is allowed to harden.

In most cases, closed-loop extraction is used to create a liquid concentrate called “sauce.” When making THCA diamond wax, the manufacturer will leave some of the solvent in the extract, which results in supersaturation. 

The supersaturated extract is then slowly exposed to heat and pressure within the closed system to prevent the THCA from converting to THC. At this junction, the solvent will slowly form crystals. This crystallization process can take a few days to a few weeks. 

Step 3: The extra solvent is removed.

The final step in the process is removing the solvent from the crystals to create the final diamond product. 

The manufacturer will continue slowly heating and pressurizing the crystals in a closed system until the solvent is fully removed and the diamonds have formed. In many cases, manufacturers will leave the diamonds in a liquid sauce.

Crystalline Method 

The crystalline method is another method for developing THCA diamonds. It is similar to the closed-loop method but does not use a closed system. Extra precautions are necessary because the crystalline method isn’t done in a closed environment. 

Here’s what the crystalline process looks like:

Step 1: The extract is removed and placed in a crystallization-inducing environment. 

The crystalline method starts with a supersaturated extract made with closed-loop techniques. This extract contains solvent. 

The manufacturer will remove the extract from the closed system and place it in a highly controlled environment designed to induce crystallization. Temperature and pressure control techniques cause crystals to form. This process often takes several weeks to complete and can result in very large crystals. 

Step 2: The extra solvent is cleared.

Once the crystals have reached the desired size, they are removed from any remaining liquid extract. The crystals then go through a powerful vacuum oven to remove the remaining solvent and create THCA diamonds. 

Diamond Mining

Diamond mining is the process of removing THCA diamonds from the sauce after the closed-loop extraction process. Like other manufacturing methods, this process can take several weeks to complete. 

How are THCA Diamonds Different From Other Concentrates?

THCA diamonds are just one type of cannabis concentrate. In general, they are best for consumers who are primarily focused on potency and are comfortable consuming a highly concentrated amount of THC.

When shopping for a concentrate, you’ll need to consider how strong it is and how you want to consume it. To help you with your purchasing decision, here’s how THC diamonds compare to other popular forms of cannabis concentrate.

Diamonds vs. Live Resin

Live resin is a form of cannabis concentrate that is often compared to THC diamonds. It is a sticky substance with a texture between liquid and solid. Both diamonds and live resin have a semi-translucent golden hue, but live resin is much softer and more malleable. 

Production Process

The process of creating live resin is very different from that of creating THCA diamonds. 

Live resin is made from freshly harvested cannabis plants that have been frozen to preserve the plant’s rich natural chemicals. The manufacturer then runs a solvent through the frozen plants to extract an oil containing high levels of THC and terpenes. After evaporating the solvent, the live resin is left as the final product.

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Cannabinoid Content

Live resin contains a broad spectrum of terpenes, while THCA diamonds do not. This means that live resin users get a more balanced mix of chemicals from the cannabis plant.

Strength

THCA diamonds are more potent than live resin, which usually contains anywhere from 60 to 90 percent THC. THCA diamonds, on the other hand, can contain up to 99% THC. 

Dabbing is the easiest way to consume both diamonds and live resin.

Diamonds vs. Crumble

Crumble is another popular form of cannabis concentrate. Like live resin, it has a balanced mix of terpenes and other cannabinoids but is less potent than THCA diamonds. 

Production Process

Like other forms of cannabis concentrate, crumble is made using a solvent to isolate chemical compounds from the plant. This results in a thick liquid extract, which goes through an extensive purging process to remove the solvent. 

Physical Look

Crumble’s production process uses very low heat. This gives the crumble a unique look and texture. Crumble is very dry and waxy, sometimes compared to honeycomb. Meanwhile, THCA diamonds also have a waxy exterior but are much harder and retain their shape. 

Consumption Experience

Crumble has a mix of terpenes and THC, so it is slightly less potent and more balanced than THCA diamonds. This mix of terpenes also gives crumble a very strong smell compared to diamond cannabis concentrates. 

Both products are usually consumed with a dabbing rig. However, the crumble’s flaky texture makes it easier to consume in other ways, like smoking it with a pipe or adding it to the top of a joint. 

Diamonds vs. Terp Sauce

Terp sauce is a form of liquid cannabis extract high in terpenes. It has a thick, sticky texture. Like THCA diamonds, it is slightly translucent and has a yellowish tinge. 

Production Process

THCA diamonds made using the closed-loop extraction method are often suspended in terp sauce. However, the two products can be isolated and sold separately. 

Consumption Experience

Terp sauce is similar to crumble and live resin in that it is high in terpenes. This creates a balanced, full-spectrum experience. The fresh terpenes also give terp sauce a very intense aroma and taste. However, terp sauce is much less potent than THCA diamonds. 

How to Consume THCA Diamonds

There are quite a few ways to enjoy THCA diamonds. Given their kick, it’s important to keep an eye on how much you take, no matter which method you opt for.

Since THCA does not produce any psychoactive effects on its own, you’ll need to heat it before consuming it. This means you shouldn’t eat THCA diamonds by themselves or mix them with other edible products.

Here are three different ways to apply heat and consume THCA diamonds. 

Dab Rig

Diamond dabs are the most popular way to consume THCA diamonds. This process involves heating the product on an extremely hot surface, usually over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme heat vaporizes the concentrate into an inhalable vapor. 

You’ll need a special device to dab. This can be done with a dab rig or a dab pen. Dab rigs look somewhat similar to a bong. They have a large basin for heating the diamonds and a pipe for inhaling the vapor. They are structured to prevent you from accidentally touching the heating chamber while the rig is in use. 

The next devices are dab pens, which are smaller and a portable alternative to a dab rig. These pens look similar to vape pens on the outside, but they use powerful heating coils to vaporize the cannabis concentrate. Users will place the THCA diamonds in a chamber at the bottom of the pen to use it. 

When dabbing, you’ll feel the effects of the THC right away, which helps you gauge quickly what’s the best dosage to consume next.

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Vape

THCA diamonds also work well with vape pens. It’s a more convenient option than purchasing a separate dab rig. 

Like dabbing, vaping THCA diamonds produces nearly instant results, but you’ll need a vape pen specifically compatible with concentrate to vape your concentrate diamonds. The pen will need to have a special ‘dab chamber’ to heat and vaporize the diamonds safely. 

📚 You Might Want to Read How to Properly Use Your Vape?

Combined with Flower

If you already smoke cannabis in its flower form, you can combine this with THCA diamonds for a more intense experience. To use this method, start by grinding up the flower and placing it in your smoking device of choice. Then, add a very small diamond to the top of your flower. Heat the mixture and smoke it as you normally would. 

This approach is convenient for those who are used to consuming flower products and want to enhance the experience. By combining the diamonds with your preferred flower product, you’ll get the same aroma and taste that you usually would, combined with the more intense effects of THCA diamonds. 

Experience The Hemp Doctor Difference

THCA diamonds might look intimidating at first, but with enough knowledge and practice, you’ll soon discover why they’re one of the finest cannabis products to date. The best way to start is by adhering to premium products from brands like The Hemp Doctor, which has always upheld the standard of quality for years. 

Ready to elevate your cannabis experience? Introducing—The Hemp Doctor’s THCA Sugar Diamond Infused 5pk Pre-Rolls. 

Feel free to explore our range of premium THCA products and more. Whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned user, we offer something for everyone. 

Need guidance on which products to choose? Our team’s here to chat about the benefits of organic hemp products and help you find what suits you best. Reach out today and discover how THCA can elevate your routine!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are THCA diamonds?

On average, THCA diamonds cost around $40 to $100 per gram. Additionally, prices can go beyond the $100 mark for particularly rare and premium varieties. Bulk prices can considerably lower THCA diamonds. 

How to make THCA diamonds?

Experts highly suggest leaving the matter of creating concentrates to brand manufacturers but there are low-tech ways of making diamonds at home. Some of the known methods include the mason jar technique, the diamond miner method, and the controlled crash method. 

How to dab THCA diamonds?

Load the product and some terp sauce onto the dab tool. Drop the product into a preheated quartz banger. Inhale slowly and enjoy. 

Are all diamonds THCA?

Not all diamonds are THCA. CBD, CBG, and CBN diamonds also exist. 

Are THCA diamonds legal?

Made legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, THCA diamonds that contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight are available for purchase at the federal level. However, you might want to check with your locality and state about unique laws on THCA diamonds. 

Can you make edibles with THCA diamonds?

Technically, you may infuse THCA diamonds into edibles, but you need to decarboxylate the concentrate first. 

Sources:

Moreno-Sanz, G. “Can You Pass the Acid Test? Critical Review and Novel Therapeutic Perspectives of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid A.” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research 1, no. 1: 124–130, June 2016, https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2016.0008 

Ward, Andrew, “THCA vs THC: The Complete Consumer Guide.” NuggMD, 24 May 2023, https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/thca-vs-thc-complete-guidePrecision Team, “What is Closed Loop Extraction?” Precision Extraction, 20 Feb. 2020, https://precisionextraction.com/2020/02/what-is-closed-loop-extraction/