Methods of synthesizing superabrasive particles such as diamonds and cubic boron nitride are disclosed and described. One procedure includes providing a superabrasive precursor including a source material in a metal matrix. The carbon source can contain a majority of carbon atoms oriented in a rhombohedral polytype configuration. A shock wave can be passed through the carbon source that is sufficient to convert the diamond to graphite. The superabrasive precursor can be formed by dissolving hexagonal carbon in a suitable molten metal or by mixing particulate components. Similarly, hexagonal boron nitride can be used in a metal matrix which is subjected to a shock wave having sufficient energy to form cubic boron nitride. The superabrasive particles produced using these methods can be provided at relatively high yields with reduced costs.