Cremation continues to grow in popularity as a way to handle the remains of a loved one . People like the simplicity and finality cremation offers, but they are often left wondering how to deal with the remaining ashes. Some sprinkle the ashes over special places and many others will choose to keep a beautiful urn as a memorial to their loved one. Recently, a trend for cremation diamonds has given people another way to keep and value their loved one’s cremains.
Are Cremation Diamonds Really Made from Ashes?
Yes. Reputable companies that are producing cremation diamonds are very clear that these diamonds are made directly from the ashes of your loved one. The process takes just over one pound of ash to create a diamond up to a carat in size. The ash is placed under considerable pressure for days until the diamond forms. The diamonds will vary in size and color, which is partially controlled by the compression process and duration. The ashes are refined using the carbon in the body to first change into graphite and then into crystal. It takes up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit and an intense pressure of around 880,000 pounds per square inch. The amount of heat and pressure combined shifts the crystal core into a full diamond ready to be cut.
Video Credit: The David Pakman Show
Are Cremation Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Not only are cremation diamonds real, they are eco-friendly, cost effective and bloodless diamonds. They typically cost 30-35% less than organic or natural diamonds. Synthetic diamonds allow us to enjoy the beauty of stone and story without digging into the ground and leaving toxic scars on the earth. Diamonds grown in a lab are made with scientific development and not mined by children and paid for with blood. Rarely do people ask if a diamond is natural or synthetic, instead they ask about the story behind it. Diamonds allow us to share stories and show the impact of a loved one with a physical representation of value.
What Types of Cremation Diamonds Are Available?
With the increasing demand for cremation jewelry, the options have grown to provide a larger range of selection for those who want to invest in this kind of memory keeping. As with traditional diamonds, the decision comes down to the C's (color, cut, clarity and carats)
The color and clarity of a cremation diamond can vary
Color - Using the boron in ashes and the hair, companies are able to replicate different diamond hues. Colors available include yellow, orange, pink, red, violet, blue, gray, green and clear. It can be hard to determine the exact color of the diamond, since it will be impacted by the ashes of the distinct individual. Each diamond is a unique color, though the color family can be decided. Yellow takes the least amount of time to produce (35-70 days), while grey or clear takes the longest to create (70-150 days).
Cut - There are a variety of cuts that can be chosen and the diamond will be grown accordingly. First the diamond is grown in approximately the right dimensions and then it is cut and polished to the right shape. The cut might be round, brilliant, heart, princess, teardrop, radiant or more.
Carats - You have some choice in the size. While large diamonds of multiple carats are rare, most go for one carat or less. The larger the diamond, the more time it takes to make and the higher the price. The majority of diamonds range from 0.03 carats to as high as two carats.
The clarity of a diamond is measured by how visible the flaws within the diamond are
Clarity - As with natural diamonds, the stones resulting from cremation diamonds have flaws. These inclusions vary from clearly visible (I1-I3) to flawless (F-IF). Using magnifications of 10x what the natural eye can see, tools help conclude whether or not the diamond has too many or too few imperfections.
Creating Jewelry from Cremation Diamonds
After the cremation diamond is made it can then be created into a beautiful piece of jewelry
The establishment creating the diamond will likely have a wide variety of jewelry types to choose from. However, you can also take your diamond to a separate jeweler to get it turned into the style and design you want for your keepsake. Metals might include gold, sterling silver, platinum and more. The setting or style might be modern or vintage. The type of jewelry could be a pendant, earrings, rings and more. A pendant setting on a chain is popular for keeping a loved one close to your heart. Ring settings may be the most popular choice. A ring allows the memorial to be worn at all times of the day and throughout most activities.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Cremation Diamond Made?
The growth process itself only takes about one week depending on the size of the diamond. Color can take additional time, including processing times of up to five months for some colors. However, most diamonds only take about 5-6 weeks to be processed, cut and set. Unless you are going after a very rare cut, color and clarity, you will likely have your cremation diamond within two months of ordering it.
How Much Will a Cremation Diamond Cost?
Everything from color and cut to setting will impact the price of your diamond. A small, heart-shaped diamond (.03 carat) will start around $750, while a large one carat blue diamond will cost around $20,000. The setting will cost an additional $200-$2,000 varying by material and design.
Each diamond is carefully examined to determine the level of imperfections
Cremation diamonds are very expensive because of the amount of time, equipment and level of expertise required to create them. There are very few professionals in the world that make them and even fewer labs that grow them. While the cost is high, people like getting cremation diamonds because they have a way to carry their loved one with them through life’s experiences. Cremation diamonds can be a very healing and soothing tool during a time of grief.
Can My Pet’s Ashes Be Turned Into a Diamond?
Yes, any kind of ash created from bone can be turned into a cremation diamond due to the carbon found in bones. The process for pets is the same as it is for humans. Many pet owners choose to also have their pet’s name engraved onto the side for personalization.
Are There Other Ways to Use Cremated Ashes?
Not all of the ashes are used to create cremation diamonds. Even if you choose to use your loved one’s remains to create cremation jewelry, you will need to decide what you want to do with the rest of the ashes.
Internment
Some religious practices require the burying of the remains and sometimes it is just what people prefer to do with the ashes. This is called internment.
Scattering Ashes
A popular option is to scatter ashes at a site that is important or has meaning to the loved one. There are rules to where you can spread the ashes, so make sure you know those before choosing the location if you wish to scatter the ashes.
Cremation Art
There are ways to create different art pieces from the left over remains of a loved one. Like the diamonds, cremation art is a way to remember the loved one in a different way than is traditional.
Urns
Of course, the most popular way to keep ashes after cremation is in a beautiful urn that keeps the ashes contained and in place. People often select an urn that best describes their loved one and then keep it in a place where they can go for memorializing their loved one, finding closure and showing respect.
