Liquid Diamonds vs. Live Resin: What's the Difference?

Liquid diamonds, also known as THCA diamonds or sauce, are a potent cannabis extraction that consists of two components: pure THCA crystals and liquid terpenes. In case you needed the reminder, terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis and other plants that give strains their distinct smell, taste, and even effects.

The “diamonds” refer to the THCA crystals, while the “sauce” is the terpene-rich liquid they form in. These crystals are nearly pure THCA, giving liquid diamonds incredible potency when heated.

Liquid diamonds can be dabbed, vaped, or even infused into pre-rolls, delivering a powerful and flavorful experience. Just check out the Hometown Hero Pink Panther THCA Liquid Diamond Live Resin Disposable or a White Rhino THCA Liquid Diamond Live Resin Disposable to try liquid diamonds for yourself.

But where do liquid diamonds come from? Here is the kicker — they’re actually created from live resin. 

Live resin is a highly flavorful extract made exclusively from freshly harvested, flash-frozen cannabis flower. Cutting and freezing the flower within an hour of harvest preserves a richer flavor and aroma profile than cannabis concentrates made from traditionally cured and dried flower. This is always why it’s called "live" resin.

Not to be confused with another concentrate called live rosin, live resin results from a solvent-based extraction. This process captures delicate terpenes and sensitive cannabinoids that would otherwise degrade during the drying process.

With a thick, sticky consistency and a burnt orange to golden hue, live resin often boasts a full-spectrum flavor profile, packed with the unique terpenes captured at the plant’s peak of maturity.

Just like liquid diamonds, live resin is typically dapped, dabbed, or infused into a pre-roll.

Confused yet? It's not surprising. There are a lot of confusing layers of cannabis extractions happening here. Let's go through the similarities and differences between live resin vs. liquid diamonds.

Because liquid diamonds technically originate from live resin, it’s accurate to say that both extractions come from the same source: freshly harvested, flash-frozen flower.

From the moment of harvest, the flower is kept at subzero temperatures. This includes during storage and extraction. The temperatures ensure all those super-volatile but extremely aromatic terpenes don't begin to evaporate.

As mentioned, live resin comes from a solvent-based extraction process. Although the specific solvent varies depending on the producer, it’s always a hydrocarbon and frequently a hydrocarbon mix.

Following a closed-loop extraction and a purging process that concentrates the desirable compounds and safely removes all the solvent, the final result is live resin.

So, where do liquid diamonds come into play? Liquid diamonds result from letting live resin sit undisturbed in a carefully controlled environment. This often takes weeks, as THCA crystals naturally start to separate from the terpenes contained within the live resin. Liquid diamonds are a fancy name for a natural separation process that produces a more potent extraction.

In a side-by-side comparison, the texture is the easiest way to distinguish live resin from liquid diamonds. Live resin has a thick, viscous, honey-like texture, with colors ranging from dark amber to bright gold.

Liquid diamonds, on the other hand, have both solid and liquid elements. The THCA crystals stand out visually, suspended in a shimmering golden pool of terpenes. It’s often a more complex blend of solid and liquid textures that starkly contrasts the smooth consistency of live resin.

Both live resin and liquid diamonds are highly potent and flavorful extractions. But, generally speaking, liquid diamonds are noticeably more potent and have more intense effects than live resin. This is because liquid diamonds are essentially pure THCA crystals, whereas live resin is a more full-spectrum blend. In this regard, live resin delivers a more balanced experience thanks to the entourage effect, while liquid diamonds are most intensely euphoric.

Within the legal marijuana industry, liquid diamonds can hit more than 90 percent THC while live resin is somewhere between 60 and 90. 

For extracts sourced from federally legal hemp, live resin is added separately to hemp-derived THC for a synergistic effect and products containing liquid diamonds do not exceed a dry weight concentration of 0.3% Delta-9.  Just keep in mind that the exact potency and effects will depend on the original plant material and the producer.

Among extracts, live resin offers greater diversity in both cannabinoids and terpenes, preserving the full spectrum of compounds from the plant right from the time of harvest.

In contrast, when liquid diamonds form, the extraction shifts toward a purer THCA concentration, resulting in a less diverse terpene and cannabinoid profile but with significantly higher potency.

Cannabis extractions offer a world of possibilities, from the potent, crystal-clear liquid diamonds to the flavorful, well-balanced live resin—and plenty more in between. With so many facets to explore, cannabis never gets old.

So, the question is: Where will your next cannabis adventure take you? Why not explore a blend of both THCA liquid diamonds and strain-specific live resin in our best-selling 5-gram Disposable Vapes? These devices are USB-rechargeable, contain no carrier liquids, and offer approximately 3,000 potent puffs. With Indica and Sativa varieties to choose from, there will be a product suitable for every taste and every adventure.

Until next time, Mind Your Mind.