THC Diamonds Vs. Shatter: How Do They Compare?

5 Differences Between THC Diamonds Vs. Shatter

If you have been to a cannabis dispensary recently, you may have noticed a variety of concentrates on the shelves, from wax, shatter, diamonds to live rosin. Despite the wide range of products available, the debate to decide the best concentrate is always around THC diamonds vs. shatter. 

In this article, we look at the differences between dab diamonds, shatter, live resin, and other cannabis concentrates, how they are made and which one produces the best high. Read on to find out which is the best for you!

What Are THC Diamonds?

THC diamonds are solid, semi-transparent crystalline cannabis concentrates. Testing at 99%+ THC, diamonds are way more potent than other concentrates such as wax and shatter, and they are also unique in composition and how they are made.

Although they are typically referred to as THC diamonds, they contain THCA or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid in raw cannabis.

Diamonds containing THCA, an inactive compound, doesn’t mean it won’t get you high. THCA is the precursor to the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. THCA is instantly converted to THC when heated in a joint, dab rig, or vaporizer.

THC diamonds form in sauce, a runny cannabis concentrate known for high terpene levels. Now that you know what cannabis diamonds are, how are they made?

How Diamond Dabs Made?

Dab diamonds can be made in two ways, using a closed-loop system or through the crystalline method that utilizes heat and pressure – just like the real diamonds.

In the closed-loop system, a liquid solvent is used to separate desired compounds from cannabis plant materials. Then, the solvent is purged from the solution, leaving behind a consumable cannabis concentrate. 

But instead of purging all the solvent in the system and the residuals using a vacuum oven, the solution is purged slowly without using a vacuum, leaving behind a supersaturated THC solution with 10-15% solvent left. 

The solution is then left to sit for two to three weeks. This allows crystals to start forming at the bottom as terpenes create a liquefied layer on top. The liquid layer and the crystals are separated and go through an extra solvent purging process to purify them.

After the remaining solvents are purged, the resulting THCA diamonds and terpene sauce are either recombined or packaged separately before they are delivered to your favourite dispensary that you buy weed online from.

The other method of making THC is the crystalline method. This process takes a highly refined THC concentrate stripped of all terpenes and other plant compounds and mixes it with a solvent to create a supersaturated solution.

Then just like how diamonds form after years of pressure and heat, heat and pressure are applied to the supersaturated solution to evaporate the solvent slowly. Under the right environment, THCA molecules will bond to form crystalline structures at the bottom.

The process of making THC diamonds is called diamond mining. Ideally, it should result in THCA diamonds and sauce concentrate.

What Is Shatter?

Shatter is a popular form of cannabis concentrate with a brittle consistency that ‘shatters’ when handled. Unlike diamonds that are usually in crystal form, shatter is ‘sheet-like.’ 

Shatter is typically translucent, but it can range from honey-like amber to darker yellow shades. Its physical texture varies from extremely brittle to a taffy-like pull-and-snap property. Shatter high in THC will have a sappy or oily texture, while shatter with more THCA will be more brittle and glass-like.

How Is Shatter Made?

The process of making shatter is the same as other cannabis concentrates. Although it can be made with a range of solvents, the most common solvent used to produce shatter is butane, producing butane hash oil (BHO). 

Shatter is made by forcing a pressurized solvent, usually butane, through a chamber filled with plant material. The solvent dissolves the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, separating them from the plant matter. The solvent is then purged, leaving behind a concentrated substance.

This is the same process used to make BHO wax. The only difference is that the oil isn’t agitated during the process, which would turn it into an opaque wax instead of clear shatter.

THC Diamonds Vs. Shatter, What’s The Difference

What are the differences between shatter and diamond extracts? Are they the same?

How Dab Diamonds Compare To Shatter And Other Concentrates

1. Physical Appearance

Diamond dabs are semi-translucent crystalline structures, while shatter is a sheet-like cannabis concentrate with a brittle to ‘pull-n-snap’ consistency. Shatter can range from a translucent honey-like amber to a darker yellow appearance.

2. Constituents

THC diamonds contain almost pure THCA, the cannabinoid most abundant in raw weed, and that turns into the psychoactive THC when exposed to heat in a joint or during dabbing. Shatter, wax, and other cannabis concentrates contain THCA alongside cannabinoids and terpenes.

3. Potency

Cannabis diamonds can contain up to 99%+ THC, while shatter, live resin, and wax typically contain 60-90% THC. However, don’t underestimate the potency of shatter; it is still 4 to 5 times as potent as regular flower, but diamonds are way potent.

4. Effects. What Produces The Best High?

What concentrate yields the highest high between live resin vs. diamonds vs. shatter? Diamonds have more than 99% THC, so they may produce an immediate, hard-hitting high. However, the ‘high’ effect is also affected by other cannabinoids and cannabis compounds.

As a result, live resin and shatter may have a more balanced high because of the presence of terpenes and cannabinoids. On the other hand, diamonds may yield a stronger, more immediate high.

5. Consumption Methods

Most cannabis concentrates, including shatter, live resin, diamonds, crumble, and BHO wax, can be dabbed or added to joints, bongs, and blunts. Check out our guide on using a dab rig if you are new to dabbing. Concentrates such as distillate can be eaten as they are already decarboxylated.

To eat shatter, THC diamonds, or wax, you must decarboxylate them to convert the THCA to THC.

2 Of The Best THC Diamonds And Shatter Products You Can Buy Online

1. Next Level Farms Diamonds

Looking for extra potent, extra flavorful THC diamonds? Get this Next Level Farms premium diamonds that come in 1g per jar. These concentrates come in 7 flavour options, including Skywalker OG, Tom Ford, Death Bubba, Platinum Kush, Fire OG, King Louis and Frooty Pebbles OG. 

Get these premium THC diamonds from West Coast Cannabis, Canada’s best online dispensary and have them delivered anywhere in the country. 

2. So High Extracts Premium Shatter – Alaskan Thunder Fuck

This shatter from So High Extracts is made using a legendary sativa dominant strain – Alaskan Thunder Fuck. This shatter delivers strong odours of pine, lemon, menthol and skunk and delivers a relaxing yet intensely euphoric high. Buy this So High Extracts premium ATF shatter online at West Coast Cannabis.

Shatter Vs Live Resin Vs Diamonds, Which Is Better?

THC diamonds are the most potent cannabis concentrate containing up to 99% plus THC. This means it’s a more concentrated product than shatter, live resin and wax, which typically have 60-90% THC.

However, shatter may have other compounds, including other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, which may aid in getting a more balanced high. Terpenes can also be added back to diamonds to improve flavour and effects.

If you are interested in buying weed diamonds online, check out our wide range of products from THC diamonds, shatter, live resin, smokable flowers to mushrooms. Order weed shatter and THC diamonds online today, and we’ll deliver anywhere in Canada.