man-made diamond that is usually produced by subjecting graphite
to very high temperatures and pressures. Synthetic diamond
resembles natural diamond in most fundamental properties,
retaining the extreme hardness, broad transparency (when pure),
high thermal conductivity, and high electrical resistivity for
which diamond is highly prized. Because synthesis is an
expensive process, large stones of gem quality are rarely made.
Instead, most synthetic diamond is produced as grit or small
crystals that are used to provide hard coatings for industrial
equipment such as grinding wheels, machine tools, wire-drawing
dies, quarrying saws, and mining drills. In addition, diamond
films can be grown on various materials by subjecting carbon-
containing gas to extreme heat; these layers can be used in
cutting tools, windows for optical devices, or substrates for
semiconductors. Learn more about synthetic diamond with a free
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