Carbon, a low-key non-metallic element with the chemical symbol C, is stable, harmless, and can even be safely ingested in the form of graphite or activated carbon. However, carbon also has various "transformations", such as diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerene, etc. Their figures appear in various fields such as aviation, healthcare, petrochemicals, and national defense, working tirelessly and silently dedicating themselves.
Today, the "carbon" we are going to talk about is no longer unknown, but has transformed into a sparkling diamond, staging a magnificent comeback from "Cinderella" to "Snow White"!

Cultivate diamond necklaces showcased at diamond exhibitions (Chen Junjie)

Chapter 1: Rebirth - The Birth Legend of Cultivating Diamonds

Cultivate diamonds, also known as laboratory grown diamonds. It is an upgraded product of industrial synthetic diamond. Since 2018, the United States has officially referred to this emerging product as "laboratory grown diamond", which more accurately expresses its identity. In China, the industry tends to refer to it simply as "cultivated diamonds".
Don't be fooled by the word 'artificial' in its name, but cultivating diamonds is definitely a high-tech product. It uses the principles of natural diamond formation and meticulously crafts gem grade diamonds through technological means. Its birth cannot be separated from two major "black technologies": HPHT high-temperature and high-pressure method and CVD chemical vapor deposition method.
The HPHT method is like providing a "pressure cooker+oven" environment for carbon seeds. For graphite or diamond seed crystals, the seeds grow rapidly under the catalysis of a catalyst (iron nickel alloy) through the temperature gradient of the high-temperature and ultra-high pressure reaction chamber, and eventually become sparkling diamonds. Simply put, it means allowing carbon seeds to grow into diamonds.
The main principle of HPHT method is the formation process of natural diamonds, so the production conditions of this type of diamond are closest to nature. At present, the main producers of diamonds are Russia, China, the United States, and others. The equipment and technology used by HPHT to produce diamonds vary depending on different countries and manufacturers. Previously, most foreign countries used two-stage ball splitting machines (BARS) and BELT belt pressing machines, while Chinese scientists and manufacturers mostly used domestically produced six sided top pressing machines.

The Meritorious Press Standing in the Sanmo Institute of State Machinery Industry Corporation

China successfully developed the first artificial diamond as early as 1963 and achieved mass production in 1965. Behind this, we cannot do without the outstanding six sided top press machine.
In 1963, China's first artificial diamond was born. In 1965, China successfully developed its first artificial diamond six sided top press machine, and this "Meritorious Press" settled in Zhengzhou Sanmo Institute after its debut. Under high temperatures exceeding 1300 ℃ and tens of thousands of times atmospheric pressure, the graphite inside the six sided press gradually transforms into diamond dots resembling starlight. These diamond crystals converge into a 'galaxy', marking the mass production of synthetic diamonds in China. This feat not only injected new vitality into China's industrial development, but also laid a solid foundation for the birth of diamonds.
If HPHT method simulates and accelerates the growth rate of natural diamonds under artificial conditions, then CVD method can be called "black magic" even more. Can you imagine that diamonds are grown from gas under this method? The CVD method is more like a combination of a microwave oven and a pressure cooker, using high-purity carbon containing gases such as methane to form carbon plasma under the action of microwave plasma. These plasma continuously deposit on the carbon bottom layer at the bottom of the pressure chamber, gradually accumulate and harden, and finally form diamond flakes, which are then cut into gemstone shapes. At present, all life on Earth is "carbon based life", which contains a large amount of carbon elements. It can be carbonized into high-purity gas using human or animal hair, bones, nails, or plant leaves, petals, etc., and prepared into diamonds using CVD method. This is the basic principle of the most popular topic of "life gemstones" nowadays.

牡丹钻石（曾宪平）

Chapter 2: Gorgeous Debut -2024 Diamond Cultivation Exhibition and Sales Fair

Having said so much, the true strength of cultivating diamonds must be demonstrated to the audience——
From November 7th to November 11th, the 2024 Cultivation Diamond Exhibition and Sales Fair, hosted by the Henan Superhard Materials Association, will be held simultaneously with the 2024 Diamond Industry Conference at the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center. It has now opened for full exhibition. The advancement of technology, the increasing acceptance of cultivated diamonds by consumers, and the rise of environmental protection and carbon reduction trends have jointly promoted the vigorous development of the cultivated diamond market, and the global cultivated diamond market has shown a rapid growth trend in recent years.
According to industry statistics, the United States, as the main consumer market for cultivating diamonds globally, has already achieved a market share of 56.8% in the domestic wedding jewelry industry in 2023. As an important production base for cultivating diamonds globally, China holds a pivotal position in the global industry chain. However, the share of cultivated diamonds in China's domestic jewelry market is still less than 10%.
In 2023, the first domestic cultivation diamond exhibition targeting the consumer end was successfully held in Zhengzhou, with significant on-site display and sales results. The event gathered 23 diamond jewelry companies for on-site exhibitions and transactions, with a total transaction volume of over 5 million yuan, showcasing the consumption potential of the domestic diamond market.
This exhibition will create new consumer scenarios across industries and be held simultaneously with the 16th Zhengzhou International Automobile Exhibition and New Energy · Intelligent Connected Vehicle Exhibition in 2024. The exhibition area is planned to cover an area of 4000 square meters, with zones set up according to product types and exhibitor positioning, such as brand area, diamond science education area, e-commerce live broadcast area, cross-border display area, product experience area, etc. Before and during the exhibition, we will collaborate with various professional media and traffic platforms to comprehensively promote China's cultivated diamond products, covering a wide range of target audience groups, enhancing industry awareness and influence, and bringing more potential customers and business opportunities to exhibitors. It is expected that the on-site audience will reach over 200000 people.
Come to the scene quickly! Witness the magnificent counterattack of cultivating diamonds together and experience the workplace version of Cinderella turning into Snow White!

Photos of the Diamond Booth at the 2024 Nanjing Auto Show