Liquid diamonds have really taken over the cannabis space, and we’re here for it. This awesome concentrate is really easy to incorporate into all kinds of products, and at the same time, it takes the potency of your cannabis experience to a whole new level. Because it’s so new to the market, we want to take a closer look into what liquid diamonds are, how they’re made, and why so many enthusiasts – particularly those who vape – won’t settle for anything but.
What are Liquid Diamonds?
Basically, liquid diamonds are a type of cannabis concentrate consisting of two components: THCA diamonds, and sauce. Before breaking down each component, so that you can get a better idea of what you’re actually taking, keep in mind that the effects of liquid diamonds can vary depending on the strain and terpene profile used in the extraction process. Not only that, but some products may offer a more uplifting and energetic experience, while others may provide that blissful effect.
THCA Diamonds
THCA diamonds are just THCA in the purest form, which is naturally crystalline once you purify the cannabinoid enough. And for those who still don’t know, THCA is the raw form of Delta 9 THC. Once it’s heated, it decarboxylates into Delta 9 THC, and a really potent form of Delta 9 at that, given how concentrated diamonds are.
THCA diamonds are pretty aesthetically pleasing, and they’re in high demand because they do give you such a major psychoactive effect, while being as pure as they come – something that clearly speaks of their quality. THCA diamonds can be sold on their own (it’s pretty common, for example, to see pre-rolls with a diamond core), or they can be sold as liquid diamonds, with the second component that we’re about to get into below.
Liquid Sauce
To purify THCA into diamonds, you’re going to end up with leftover, non-THCA cannabis compounds as sort of a byproduct. After all, you’re taking a cannabis extract and concentrating it more and more until the THCA separates from the terpenes and other minor compounds. And what remains is known as “sauce” aka “liquid sauce”.
Liquid sauce is a saucy, thick liquid that’s really dark in color, and it’s mostly terpenes that are super concentrated. Now, anyone who knows a thing or two about cannabis can see the value in that. Liquid sauce gives you the effects of the strains you know and love, in super strong doses. And naturally, that pairs beautifully with the diamonds, for a complete full-spectrum experience.
How Exactly are Liquid Diamonds Made?
Making liquid diamonds is a pretty unique process. In fact, the creation of liquid diamonds is a testament to the advancements in cannabis extraction technology. From selecting the highest quality cannabis plants to employing sophisticated extraction and crystallization techniques, the process is both an art and a science.
The Starting Material: Quality Cannabis
The journey to creating liquid diamonds begins with selecting high-quality cannabis. The potency, flavor, and overall quality of the final product are significantly influenced by the initial cannabis plant. Growers typically select strains rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, as these compounds play crucial roles in the effects and flavors of the final concentrate.
Extraction Process: Turning Plant Matter into Crude Oil
1. Harvesting and Trimming:
- Cannabis plants are harvested at their peak ripeness, ensuring maximum cannabinoid and terpene content.
- The harvested plants are then trimmed to remove excess leaves and stems, focusing on the resin-rich flowers.
2 . Drying and Curing:
- The trimmed cannabis flowers undergo a drying and curing process, which helps to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes.
- This stage is critical, as improper drying and curing can degrade the quality of the final product.
3. Extraction:
- The dried and cured cannabis is subjected to an extraction process to separate the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant matter.
- Popular extraction methods include hydrocarbon (butane or propane) extraction and CO2 extraction. Each method has its advantages, but hydrocarbon extraction is often preferred for creating diamonds due to its efficiency in capturing a wide spectrum of compounds.
Creating the Diamonds: The Crystallization Process
Once the crude cannabis oil is extracted, it undergoes a series of refinement steps to isolate and purify the cannabinoids, particularly THCA.
1. Winterization:
- The crude oil is mixed with ethanol and subjected to freezing temperatures. This process, known as winterization, helps to remove unwanted fats, lipids, and waxes.
- The mixture is then filtered to separate the impurities from the desired cannabinoids and terpenes.
2. Purging:
- After winterization, the ethanol is removed from the oil using a process called purging, typically done under low heat and vacuum conditions.
- This step ensures that no residual solvents remain in the concentrate, which is crucial for safety and quality.
3. Crystallization:
- The purified cannabis oil is then placed in a pressurized vessel, often referred to as a diamond miner or crystallization chamber.
- Over time, the THCA in the oil begins to crystallize, forming solid diamond-like structures.
- The crystallization process can take several days to weeks, depending on various factors such as temperature, pressure, and the concentration of THCA.
The Sauce: Terpene-Rich Liquid
As the THCA crystals form, they separate from the terpene-rich liquid surrounding them. This liquid, often referred to as “sauce”, contains a high concentration of terpenes and other cannabinoids, contributing to the flavor and aroma profile of the final product.
1. Separation:
- Once the crystallization process is complete, the diamonds are separated from the sauce.
- This can be done through simple decanting or more sophisticated methods, depending on the desired consistency and purity of the final product.
2. Recombination:
- In many cases, a portion of the sauce is recombined with the diamonds to create a balanced product that offers both the potent effects of the THCA crystals and the flavorful experience of the terpene-rich liquid.
- The ratio of diamonds to sauce can vary, allowing producers to create products tailored to different preferences and effects.
Final Purging: Ensuring Purity
The final step in creating liquid diamonds involves purging the combined product to remove any residual solvents or impurities. This is typically done using a vacuum oven, which applies low heat and negative pressure to ensure the product is clean and safe for consumption.
Quality Control:
- Throughout the entire process, rigorous quality control measures are implemented to ensure the final product meets industry standards for potency, purity, and safety.
- Laboratory testing is conducted to verify the cannabinoid and terpene content, as well as to ensure the absence of residual solvents, pesticides, and other contaminants.
Packaging and Presentation: The Finished Product
Once the liquid diamonds are fully purged and tested, they are ready for packaging. The final product is typically presented in small glass jars or containers that showcase the dazzling appearance of the diamonds suspended in the terpene-rich sauce.
Labeling:
- Proper labeling is essential, providing consumers with information about the strain, cannabinoid content, terpene profile, and any relevant safety or usage instructions.
- Transparent and accurate labeling helps consumers make informed choices and ensures they know exactly what they are consuming.
Marketing:
- Liquid diamonds are often marketed as a premium cannabis concentrate, highlighting their purity, potency, and unique appearance.
- Effective marketing strategies emphasize the quality of the starting material, the meticulous extraction process, and the sophisticated crystallization technique.
What Kinds of Liquid Diamond Products Can I Try?
Liquid diamonds can technically be added to pretty much any cannabis product – but some are more desirable than others. For example, no one wants to crunch on a THCA diamond gummy. So, let’s talk about the products that you can buy, which contain liquid diamonds.
Disposable Vapes
First off, we have THCA disposable vapes, which are pre-charged and pre-filled with vape oil. They’re super convenient, because they can be vaped out of the box, and don’t need to be refilled at any point – some don’t even require recharging. Disposable vapes come in all kinds of strains, and people absolutely love how much they offer a travel-friendly way to get your cannabis fix.
Vape Carts
Vape cartridges are another option, and they give you loads of strains to choose from. These pre-filled glass cartridges attach to any 510-threaded vape pen, to make it easy to switch them out without having to buy a whole new device.
Pre-Rolls
Yes, there are liquid diamond pre-rolls. Typically, they have a liquid diamond “core”, which means that the sauce is infused into the flower, and there’s a diamond in the center. When the diamond is smoked, it turns into pure Delta 9 THC.
Dabs
THCA liquid diamond dabs are basically just liquid diamonds in their pure form. They are dabbed, which means that they’re vaporized at a high temp using dabbing equipment. They are really good for those who want a very, very potent high.
How Do I Know I’m Getting the Good Stuff?
THCA liquid diamonds are pretty easy to find nowadays, but that doesn’t mean that every THCA liquid diamond product you find is going to give you the best quality – in fact, fakes do, sadly, exist. Here’s how to avoid disappointment.
Tip #1: Stick to a Trusted Retailer
There are lots of great retailers out there, and some not so great ones. We don’t recommend going to a gas station or convenience store, as these places are notorious for carrying bottom-of-the-barrel hemp. We do recommend going with an online retailer, as this lets you know you’re getting a 100% authentic product.
Tip #2: Look at Lab Reports
Lab reports are critical, as they come from an unbiased third-party testing facility, to give you objective info about the safety, purity, potency, authenticity, legal compliance, and chemical makeup of the product. Any legit company will offer these third-party lab reports on their website, in a way that’s really easy to access.
Tip #3: Read the Ingredients
Look at the ingredients of a liquid diamonds product before you buy. Basically, there should never be questionable fillers or additives in there. No vape, dab, or flower should contain anything but 100% pure hemp derivatives.
Tip #4: Check the Reviews
Finally, look at the reviews of a product before you buy, because seeing what other customers have to say can be a great way to gauge the legitimacy of the company. Basically, if customers are complaining about the quality of the product, then you know that you’re not going to be a happy camper.
Do Liquid Diamonds Come in My Favorite Strains?
Good news: you can buy liquid diamonds in any strain, because liquid diamonds can be made from any strain of cannabis. Just keep in mind that companies that carry liquid diamonds typically come in a smaller selection than their other products.
Liquid Diamonds are the Ultimate High-Potency Form of THCA!
Liquid diamonds are here to stay, offering up nothing but the purest and most powerful form of live resin you can find. And, they can be added to various products, meaning that if dabbing isn’t your style, no problem. At Goo’d Extracts, we offer liquid diamonds made with the purest live resin there is, and strains that go above and beyond to satisfy your needs for delicious flavor and glorious effects. Explore our selection today, and simply enjoy this ultra-potent form of cannabis!
