In the 1950s, new methods of diamond formation were discovered on Earth’s surface. Scientists were able to create the temperature and pressure conditions needed to create diamonds in a lab. Most of the early diamonds were not gem quality, but they were perfect for use as abrasive granules in drill bits, cutting tools, and grinding wheels. Soon larger lab-grown diamonds were being manufactured for use as wear-resistant bearings, heat sinks for computer processors, and high-temperature windows.

Today almost all of the diamonds used in industrial processes are lab-created diamonds. They are also being made in high enough qualities to earn colorless and very very slightly included grades from diamond grading labs. They are made in a spectrum of colors by adding nitrogen (yellow) or boron (blue) to the diamond-forming environment. Green, pink, orange and other colors are possible with post-growth treatment processes. Lab-created diamonds are being made in the United States and several other countries. China is the leading country producing lab-created diamonds.

All lab-grown diamonds are made using equipment that consumes an enormous amount of electricity, which is needed to create the temperature and pressure conditions necessary to grow diamonds. Some of that electricity is likely to be generated from burning coal. These might be the best examples of diamonds being made using coal.