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Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for making diamonds. In one form, a plurality of shock waves are generated and are directed or focused against carbon particles retained in a cavity of a die such that the heat and pressure of the shock waves will heat and compress the particles of carbon to form one or more diamonds thereof. In another form, diamonds or particles of diamond dust are disposed in a cavity containing carbon particles and serve as substrates or nuclei on which carbon is converted to diamond forming larger diamonds thereof. Each of the diamonds disposed in the mold or die cavity is completely surrounded by carbon. A magnetic jack hammer of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,242 having a focusing horn attached thereto is employed to generate and transmit the trains of intermittent shock waves to the diamonds and carbon disposed in the mold. In another form, intense heat and pressure are generated by one or more laser beams which are directed at carbon particles per se or against diamond particles which are packed with carbon particles in a mold so as to form diamonds and/or increase the sizes of the diamonds disposed in the mold cavity with the carbon particles.

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First Claim