Forget engagement rings—synthetic diamonds are becoming critical technology infrastructure. The unique properties of lab-grown diamonds are enabling breakthroughs in semiconductors, quantum computing, and thermal management that natural diamonds could never supply.
Credit: Financial Times
Carbon in diamond crystalline structure has properties no other material matches: highest thermal conductivity, extreme hardness, wide bandgap, and quantum spin properties useful for sensors. Previously, these properties were scientifically interesting but practically inaccessible due to natural diamond scarcity and cost.
Synthetic diamond enables: semiconductor substrates that handle power densities silicon cannot tolerate; heat spreaders for high-performance computing that outperform all alternatives; quantum sensors with sensitivity approaching fundamental limits; and eventually quantum computing qubits.
Each application represents potential technological disruption. Diamond semiconductors could extend Moore’s Law past silicon’s limits. Diamond quantum sensors could revolutionize medical imaging and navigation.
The Supply Transformation
Lab-grown diamonds have plummeted in cost—down 90%+ over the past decade for gem-quality stones. Industrial and technological grades have fallen even further. This cost curve unlocks applications that were theoretically promising but economically impossible.
The learning curve continues. Each doubling of production drives further cost reduction, enabling new applications that drive more production.
Gennaro is the creator of FourWeekMBA, which reached about four million business people, comprising C-level executives, investors, analysts, product managers, and aspiring digital entrepreneurs in 2022 alone | He is also Director of Sales for a high-tech scaleup in the AI Industry | In 2012, Gennaro earned an International MBA with emphasis on Corporate Finance and Business Strategy.
