In Belarus make artificial diamonds

• How to make artificial diamonds in Belarus

The phrase "the Belarusian diamonds" to our ears sounds the same as "Belarusian shrimps". But do not hurry up with jokes. Few people know that in the nineties in Belarus built one of the first factories in the world for diamond synthesis, that of Belarusian scientists in this field are ready to chase world promgiganty and crystal quality was rated at the international level.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

The world's first synthesized diamond has received the General Electric company back in 1950 with a special press. Small dirty stone on the properties indistinguishable from natural diamonds. There was only one problem: money for its synthesis had to be much more than the extraction of nature. On this matter, and it is given up to the 1980s, about the growing diamond safely forgotten.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

One of the first attempts to get the diamonds using an electric arc furnace.

In the late 1980s, scientists from the Novosibirsk Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences created bespressovy apparatus "split-sphere" (BARS), whereby for the first time in the world to synthesize diamond, ready to compete with nature, not only in quality but also in cost. In the first synthetic diamonds Novosibirsk it was much lower.

The retired general, seven scientists and $ 5 million

After successful testing in the 1990s, seven well-known Soviet scientists (two of them - Belarusians) hit on the idea to create the world's first diamond synthesis plant. Platform thanks to the good geographical position of Belarus have chosen.

Scientists became the founders of the company "Adamas". They took in "ICB" Soviet credit for 51 million Soviet rubles, and began construction in the village Atolino, near Minsk.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

Washer BARS.

The plant had to be fairly large: three-storey building, 220 employees. But money is not enough, so the later one of the founders included the then "Belpromstroibank", which highlighted the company a credit line of $ 5 million, as well as two well-known in Soviet times, businessmen who have made another $ 2, 5 million. Investors only managed to complete the building, put 120 machines BARS and little to develop technology, as here businessmen-founders started having problems - they left the factory without money.

Suddenly four luring scientists in the United States retired General Carter Clarke. It turns out that in 1995 it for $ 60 thousand. Bought a synthetic diamond production technology and founded Gemesis Diamond. By the way, it was formalized as Russia at that time urgently needed the money, and it sold out its research and development. Scientists left "Adamas" and went to Clark.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

One of the biggest manufacturers of synthetic diamond in the world.

Once in a difficult situation, the founders tried to return the money to the bank loan, but in vain. In 1999, against the leadership of "Adamas" opened a criminal case. The trial went on for five years, the amount of damage was estimated at $ 7 million. The businessmen and the lawyer went abroad. However, the four still planted.

After his release, one of the former leaders of the "Adamas" in Atolino not returned. We went to St. Petersburg and Moscow, and the remaining three scientists, and with them - and the technology of diamond synthesis.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

The first synthetic diamonds.

So there are three in the world's largest center of synthesized diamonds: Moscow, St. Petersburg and the US state of Florida. There are a few small companies, but they say that all the strings are all in the same seven.

That all this time was going to plant himself? It was transferred to the balance of the Belarusian State University. In one of the parts of the building functioned enterprise RUE "Adamas BSU": scientists have conducted research, we studied the production of industrial diamonds, improve it. However, setting operation is very expensive and the financial issues become more acute.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

The Belarusian diamonds "When the Chinese, Arabs and Israelis began to persuade to sell production, it became clear: the demand is there"

At the edge of Atolino worth the same three-storey factory building, which is so dreamed of Soviet scientists - a common production with painted walls and fresh renovated inside. At the entrance there - a policeman and strict access control.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

A few years ago the company "Adamas BSU" turned into the Office of the President of the structure. A little over a year ago, pro-rector of the Academy of Management under the President Maximus Borda asked to evaluate the situation in Atolino: it makes sense to build it in production or in cell phones easier to pass the scrap?

- admit at once: I am a lawyer by training and production of diamonds theme for me was new, - Maxim N. lead us into the shop. - I began to study literature, watch foreign experience. Honestly, he did not believe that our crystals are really good and they can be sold. But the train of exhibitions, showing diamonds, polished diamonds that are grown in our shop - experts admired the quality. And when they began to call the Armenians, Chinese, Israelis persuasion to sell the equipment, I have finally realized that the prospects are.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

So there was Ltd. "AdamasInvest" in November of 2016 (previous company is now on the process of liquidation). It also submits to the President of the administration and is working on a special project "Restoration of manufacturing synthetic diamond and jewelry manufacturing development with inlays of diamonds produced." It is working here 45 people.

- Under this project, we have received a loan. Money return, there is a clear timetable, - emphasizes Maxim N.. - We have developed a detailed business plan for six months, put in order the building, restored the shop and launched the production of jewelry. In fact, it is now and we are concentrating.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

In the market of industrial diamonds, according to Maxim Naumovicha, meaning to go there: all players laid on China blades. Nine years ago, the Kiev Toolmaker sold China a sample special press. China to stamp their 40 thousand pcs., In 2014 it entered the market of industrial diamonds and the collapse of his 20 times. Therefore, despite the fact that the Belarusian industrial diamonds of higher quality than the Chinese, they are five times more expensive.

- In China jewelry market does not go. I think he will not let the two major players: the United States controlled by De Beers and Russia's "Alrossa". Therefore, in the synthesis of diamond jewelery we have a good chance, - concludes Maxim Bord.

The temperature may rise to two thousand degrees, pressure -. 20 thousand atmospheres.

The huge hall with dozens of cylinders and a minimum working - so looks department with the most Barca, of which there are 120 pieces. Serve all devices for a change can be fitter and engineer. All in all, the shop employs 10 people.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- They were designed in the 1970s, but in the production of diamonds for jewelry purposes and better Barca have not yet found - shows the open hemisphere Maxim N.. - In general, there are currently two techniques of diamond in the world: HTHP (high temperature, high pressure - high temperature, high pressure) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition - chemical vapor deposition). The latter is good for the production of industrial diamonds, but not very suitable for jewelry. The fact is that in a gas medium stone grows even layers, and in nature - unevenly, as in HTHP technology that we use.

Maxim N. shows the remote control cylinders. It is the special equipment, which is controlled manually. At the slightest deviations from the adjusted setpoint workers indicators.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- It would seem, let the computer watched as diamonds grow. And I, frankly, have been thought to automate this process - says the director. - But when I saw our technology, it realized that it makes no sense. First, expensive investments will not pay off. Second, the diamond growth is dependent on a dozen nuances for example, by temperature changes in the external environment at different stages. Can the computer take into account all the nuances and react like a man? We think that yet.

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Barca arranged themselves quite simple: 3, 5 tons of metal, oil supply hose, which creates pressure, and contacts, enabling current and temperature. Inside the machine - two areas: a large and a smaller one. Each sphere is made up of six parts - the punches, made from a special alloy doped. Large weigh 16 kilograms, a little - a little less than one kilogram. Small punches - it's actually consumable. They cost $ 200 and come down after an average of five syntheses.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- Temperature at the inlet of the machine - 1500 ° C, pressure - 1800 atmospheres, - the director explains. - Inside temperature may rise to two thousand degrees and the pressure -. 10-20 thousand temperature and pressure changes throughout the diamond growth.. It is three days, not centuries, as in nature.

In the center of the sphere is a special porcelain cube. It is said Maxim N., is "the whole of science." Before cube sent to BARS, it "stuffed": laying special compressed tablet consisting of individual components, usually metal, here and a little piece of almazik, which then grows into a large stone and graphite rod (graphite - is the environment, which gives an opportunity to grow the diamond). Then the dice are dried in the oven, impregnated with certain materials, and only after all of these procedures can be lay.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds

Grow a diamond or not depends on the heat even workers hands

- The technology is very "capricious" - adds N. Maxim. - A diamond can grow large, it may - small, good or bad, if not growing. It all depends on dozens of factors, from the hands of the engineer, who collects the dice, how he dried out, whether infiltrate right - up to a temperature in the shop and the quality graphite. Once also tried to set up production in the Baltic States. Purchased equipment, and diamonds are not growing. It turned out to grow a diamond - it does not just turn the switch.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

Three days later, the cube is removed from the Barca break and pulled out a small bolvanochku, which can be seen on the edge of the crystal. Ingot is thrown into the flask and fill "aqua regia" (three portions of hydrochloric acid and nitric one). The flasks were placed in a special cupboard and heated to reaction went faster.

- Under normal circumstances, two hours later, the metals dissolve and only the diamond - say in the laboratory. - Then we remove the diamond, wash it and bring it down to the chromium mixture.

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So clean graphite and diamond are already clean. It weighed, packed and outsource - for cutting in Russian companies (specialists in free cutting in Belarus is not, and to teach new yet expensive).

- From the initial weight of the diamond can lose 30-60%. It all depends on the presence of inclusions and stone of purity, - added in manufacturing. - In addition, half of all syntheses are guaranteed to receive high-quality stones cut and installed in the product - a 220 stones per month. Another 20% of the stones are obtained by slightly lower quality.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- For long enough, but this is not enough for development. Here are fighting over this task - Maxim N. shows diamond samples. - We have certified our stones at the International Gemological Institute in Antwerp. Expert opinion is that our stones are indistinguishable from natural on all of its chemical and physical characteristics. Here are the exact same indicators of strength, lack of response to radiation and so on.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

In general enterprise grows colorless diamonds up to 1 carat yield diamonds 0, 2-0, 3 carats. These stones are mostly on earrings and rings. The crystals can be ennobling and: give lemon, black, red and other colors. But the company said that the Belarusians prefer the classics.

"The Indians have asked to do ritual diamonds from the ashes of the dead"

When I heard about low by world standards, prices for Belarusian stones in the company called the Indians with an unusual request: to do the ritual stones.

- They want to keep the memory of their relatives cremated in this form. Compared with the British company, which is closely involved in this production, our diamonds come out five times cheaper, - the director explains.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- Work with the ashes of the dead, we do not dare, but the technology for producing diamond from hair worked. Yes, diamonds can be obtained from the hair. We get them from carbon, and further work along the same lines. Technology we have tested, have already issued 12 such stones. However, while the large-scale introduction of this topic - the next stage of the work for us. And this theme is great potential for science.

Yet the emphasis the company makes on its own jewelry production. Jewelry shop, though small (9 people), but potentially it can produce up to 5 thousand. Units per month. On a large batch of Belarusian diamonds arrived in stores last week.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- Our products cost 20-30% cheaper products with natural stones and synthetic diamonds themselves are altogether twice cheaper than natural. For example, the selling price for the finished product with diamond in 0, 15 carat is 300 rubles, with stone in 0, 25 carat will cost 600 rubles - director shows samples of products.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

This is mainly engagement rings. Maxim N. says that the plans include earrings, and cufflinks and silver with diamonds, and even art in a series of ecological style.

In Belarus make artificial diamonds

- In Europe, the synthetic diamonds are gaining popularity. It is believed that they are more environmentally friendly than mined from the earth. And it is true. The more that they are not inferior to the natural properties - says he shares his plans: to become stronger in the jewelry market, open brand shop with up to 40% below market prices, and more.

- There is a purpose to make our diamonds available to Belarusian brand. A global challenge - with the profits obtained to further develop scientific technologies in this area - adds Maksim Bord.