THC diamonds are the most concentrated form of cannabis most people will ever see. They look like little chunks of clear rock candy, they are made almost entirely of one cannabinoid, and they sit firmly in the “experienced users only” category. If you have seen diamonds on a menu and wondered what they are, how they are made, how strong they are, or whether you can put them in a joint, this guide answers all of it, along with how the diamonds we carry compare.
THC diamonds at a glance
| What they are | Crystals of THCA, the raw acid form of THC, separated out of a cannabis extract |
|---|---|
| Commonly reported purity | Pure THCA diamonds are often reported at 90% THCA or higher |
| Flavour | Little on their own; flavour comes from the terpene sauce they are sold with |
| How they are used | Heated: dab rig, e-rig, concentrate vape, or crushed on top of a bowl or joint |
| Common styles | Large THCA diamonds, sugar diamonds (small crystals), and diamonds in terpene sauce |
| Who they are for | Experienced concentrate users |
What is a THC diamond?
Living cannabis does not contain much THC. It contains THCA, an acid that turns into THC when you heat it. This change is called decarboxylation, and it is why raw cannabis does not get you high but smoked or vaporised cannabis does.
A THC diamond is a crystal made of THCA. The name “THC diamonds” is really shorthand; “THCA diamonds” is the more accurate term. Because the crystals are almost pure THCA, diamonds on their own have very little smell or taste. The flavour in a diamond product comes from the terpene-rich sauce or terpenes that come with it.
How THCA diamonds are made
Makers start with a cannabis extract that is very rich in THCA and terpenes, usually made with a hydrocarbon solvent. Instead of purging it straight into shatter or wax, they leave the extract to sit under controlled temperature and pressure for days or weeks. Over that time the THCA slowly separates out of the liquid and builds into crystals, a process often called “diamond mining”.
What is left behind is a runny, flavourful liquid usually called terpene sauce, or high-terpene extract. The maker then either keeps the crystals and sauce together (sold as “sauce and diamonds”), separates out the crystals to sell as THCA diamonds, or breaks the crystals smaller and mixes them back with sauce to make sugar diamonds. Finished diamonds are purged so that leftover solvent is removed before they are packed.
Sugar diamonds vs THCA diamonds vs liquid diamonds
- THCA diamonds are larger, clear crystals. They are the most concentrated option and are usually sold for dabbing or for topping other concentrates.
- Sugar diamonds are much smaller crystals mixed with terpene-rich sauce. The texture is grainy and sugary, they are easier to scoop and handle, and they carry more flavour because of the sauce.
- “Liquid diamonds” is a marketing name you will see on some vape carts. It usually means melted-down diamonds or very refined oil in a cartridge. It is a different product from the solid diamonds sold in jars.
If flavour matters to you, sugar diamonds are usually the better pick. If you want maximum strength, or you want to add a kick to another concentrate, plain THCA diamonds are the stronger choice.
Terpenes and flavour in diamond products
Pure THCA crystal is almost flavourless, so the terpenes are where the character comes from. The sauce in sauce-and-diamond and sugar-diamond products is packed with the plant’s own aromatic compounds, which is why a sugar diamond can taste distinctly of gas, fruit or candy depending on the strain. Common cannabis terpenes you will meet in sauce include myrcene (earthy, musky), limonene (citrus), caryophyllene (peppery) and pinene (pine). If you want to taste those terpenes at their best, dab at a lower temperature; very hot dabs burn off flavour quickly.
How strong are THC diamonds?
Very. For comparison, good flower commonly tests around 18% to 28% THC, and shatter or budder often sits somewhere in the 60% to 80% range. Pure THCA diamonds are commonly reported at 90% or more. That makes them several times more concentrated than the strongest bud.
In practice that means a dab of diamonds the size of a grain of rice is a full serving for most experienced users. If you have never dabbed before, diamonds are not the place to start; a milder concentrate or flower is a better first step.
Will THC diamonds get you high?
Yes, but only once they are heated. Raw THCA is not intoxicating, which is why you cannot just eat a diamond and expect much to happen. Dabbing, vaporising or smoking diamonds turns the THCA into THC almost instantly, and the effect comes on within seconds. If you want to use diamonds in homemade edibles, they need to be decarboxylated (gently heated) first, the same way you would treat flower or kief.
How to use THC diamonds
Dab rig or e-rig
This is the most common way. Heat the banger or use an e-rig at a lower temperature, drop in a small piece, and inhale slowly. Lower temperatures keep more flavour from the sauce and are easier on your throat.
Concentrate vape
Portable dab pens and concentrate vaporisers with a ceramic or quartz chamber work well with diamonds. Load a very small amount, since these devices are efficient.
On top of a bowl or joint
You can crush diamonds and sprinkle them over flower in a bowl, or roll them into a joint. It works, but a lot of the crystal can melt and run before you inhale it, so you waste some of the strength. If you go this route, keep the diamond in the centre of the joint so it does not run down the outside.
Topping other concentrates
Plenty of people add a small diamond to a dab of live resin or wax. You get the flavour of the resin with an extra boost from the THCA.
Diamonds we carry, compared
We stock both styles, all in 1 gram jars. Here is how a few current picks compare, based on their product pages:
| Product | Style | Texture | Listed notes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THCA Diamonds: Blackberry Octane | THCA diamonds | Clear crystals | One of the strongest concentrates on our menu | Maximum strength dabs |
| THCA Diamonds: UBC Chemo | THCA diamonds | Clear crystals | An indica pick; pairs well with wax or live resin | Topping other concentrates |
| Sugar Diamonds: 91 Octane | Sugar diamonds | Grainy, sugar-like crystals in sauce | An indica pick; softer and easier to handle | Flavour plus strength |
The full range, including Motor Milk, Alien Cookies, Red Velvet, Popscotti, Garlic Mints, Hollywood Mac and Rocket Candy, is in our diamonds section. Jar styles can change from batch to batch.
Similar concentrates we carry
If diamonds are more than you need, or you want more flavour than strength, these are good neighbours on the concentrate shelf:
- Live resin keeps more of the plant’s original terpenes because it is made from fresh-frozen flower. Browse our live resin and rosin section, or read our guide to what live resin is.
- Budder and shatter are strong, affordable and easy to find. They are a sensible step up from flower before you try diamonds.
Buying in larger amounts? Our older post on buying diamond concentrates in bulk covers what to look for.
Do THC diamonds show up on a drug test?
Yes. Once heated and consumed, THCA becomes THC, and THC breaks down into the same metabolites that standard drug tests look for, whether it came from flower or from diamonds. Because diamonds are so concentrated, there is no reason to expect them to be any easier to pass.
How to store diamonds
Keep diamonds in their sealed glass jar, in a cool, dark place. Warmth and light break down terpenes and can make sauce runny. For longer storage, the fridge works well; let the jar come back to room temperature before opening it so moisture does not condense inside. Use a clean dab tool each time so you do not introduce lint or ash into the jar.
Ordering diamonds by mail
Leafville ships across Canada by Canada Post with tracking. Orders are vacuum sealed and sent in plain packaging, and you pay by Interac e-Transfer. We sell only to adults of legal age in their province.
FAQ
What is a THC diamond?
A crystal of THCA, the raw form of THC, separated out of a cannabis extract. Diamonds are among the most concentrated cannabis products available.
Will THC diamonds get you high?
Yes, once heated. Dabbing, vaping or smoking turns THCA into THC. Eaten raw without heating, diamonds have little effect.
Can I smoke THC diamonds in a joint?
You can crush them into a joint or sprinkle them on a bowl, but some of the crystal melts and runs before you inhale it. A dab rig or concentrate vape is more efficient.
How strong are THC diamonds?
Pure THCA diamonds are commonly reported at around 90% THCA or more, several times stronger than flower. A very small amount is a full serving.
What is the difference between sugar diamonds and THCA diamonds?
Sugar diamonds are tiny crystals mixed with terpene sauce, so they are easier to handle and more flavourful. THCA diamonds are larger, purer crystals that hit harder.
How should a beginner start with diamonds?
Ideally, get comfortable with flower and a milder concentrate first. When you do try diamonds, use a piece no bigger than a grain of rice at a low dab temperature and wait before having more.