Yes, ashes can be turned into diamonds. Genuine diamonds can be made from the ashes of a loved one, creating a unique keepsake unlike any other in the world. The process used to make diamonds from ashes is an exact imitation of the one used by the Earth. As a result, diamonds made from ashes are 100% legitimate diamonds with the same chemical makeup and visual appearance of mined diamonds.
How it’s possible to turn ashes into diamonds
As the human body is 18% carbon and each diamond is a piece of crystallised carbon, it’s relatively simple to turn human ashes into diamonds. The amount of carbon present after cremation is significantly reduced, but there remains around 1-4% of carbon in cremated ashes, which is still enough to grow a genuine diamond.
In nature, diamonds are created deep within the Earth’s mantle. It takes billions of years for the environment to apply extreme pressure and high temperatures to create each individual diamond.
At Heart In Diamond, we recreate these conditions using a HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature) machine to produce every diamond. While it takes an inordinate amount of time for the Earth to create a diamond, our advanced technology speeds up the process, meaning we can create each unique gemstone in around 90 days from receipt of suitable material.
This is how the process works
- Prepare approximately 100 g of cremated ashes from the cremains of your family member, friend or pet and send them to Heart In Diamond’s memorial diamond lab.
- After we receive your sample, we analyse it and issue you with a unique diamond tracking ID number. You can use this information to monitor your diamond’s progress from start to finish.
- Pure carbon is extracted from the ashes using a chemical process combined with intense heat.
- The extracted carbon is added to a tiny diamond-growing foundation, both of which are placed inside a HPHT machine. This specialist piece of equipment creates extreme temperatures of more than 2000℃ and applies pressure in excess of 60,000 atmospheres
- The sample remains inside the HPHT machine for around 90 days, after which a rough diamond is created.
- Following the diamond growth phase, the gemstone is cut and polished according to your specifications.
- The diamond is then graded following the 4Cs (cut, colour, carat and clarity) before it’s issued with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming that it’s a real, genuine diamond.
- If you chose to have your diamond engraved or placed within a jewellery setting, the engraving or placement is completed at this stage.
- Finally, your one-of-a-kind diamond is delivered to you in person by a Heart In Diamond representative or a certified courier, depending on your location.
Creating unique diamonds from ashes
Unlike mined diamonds available on the high street which are typically transparent and similar looking, diamonds made from the ashes of loved ones can be as unique as the person you want to remember.
Cremation diamonds are naturally orange-yellow or yellow-green and get their colour from the life element Nitrogen. Blue diamonds have their unique appearance thanks to the presence of boron.
Current colours are orange-yellow, yellow-green, purple, blue, white, pink and black. Each coloured diamond develops its own tint within the chosen family; compare the examples in the diamond colour guide.
White diamonds (also known as transparent or colourless diamonds) are the purest form of diamond, free from other elements and impurities. Because of this, it perfectly reflects light and gives off no colour.
You can customise more than colour
As well as choosing the colour of your diamond made from ashes, you can also make it unique by picking your preferred carat and cut. The carat determines the size of your diamond and is also a major influencer of the price. The cut dictates the shape of your diamond.
You may keep the finished diamond loose or choose a compatible jewellery setting. The online shop is being prepared; contact the UK team for the current catalogue or to discuss a custom design.