Lab-produced diamonds are almost a new generation in the jewelry market. There is a tremendous revolution in diamond selection for people nowadays. They prefer to attach their eyes to a more sparkling, innovative, and customizable way to memorize their beloved ones who have passed away. Rapidly developing emotional needs cater to a desire for attachments, empathy, and individualism, so the lab-grown diamond popped up into people's lives. Let's make a few points clear so you can decide with 100% confidence which sparkle will make your eyes shine: the classic earth-made diamond or the cutting-edge lab-made diamond.
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Background Research
One of the significant innovations in cremation jewelry memorialization occurred in 2001 when a company began to turn ashes into diamonds. Considering how diamonds are made (no, not Superman crushing a lump of coal by hand), this represents a giant technological leap forward in the way diamonds are created and memorialized.
Traditionally, lab-grown diamonds are made from carbon, and a machine is called a carbon vapor deposition machine (or CVD for short). This allowed these companies to produce multiple lab-grown diamonds at the same time.
The Takeoff of the Cremation Diamond Industry
In order to contribute to the memorial diamond industry to take off, two things need to be done. First, you would like to know how to extract the remaining carbon from cremated remains to make diamonds. Second, you need a machine that grows diamonds one at a time to create a highly personalized diamond that contains the remains of someone's loved one.
In this case, the second point comes first. HPHT machines - short for High-Pressure, High-Temperature machines - already existed. Those machines allow you to grow one diamond at a time, which is economical for the average lab-grown diamond producer, but perfect for memorial diamond companies.
For Memorial Diamonds, the hardest part is extracting the carbon from the ashes. Cremated remains containing 1-4% carbon must undergo a further high-pressure, high-temperature, oxygen-free environment to separate the remaining carbon. Most memorial diamond companies need half a cup of ashes to extract enough carbon to grow diamonds.
Memorial diamonds were brought to market as this technology was built in the 1990s. However, the capital-intensive process of making diamonds from cremation ashes (the equipment alone costs about $1 million) means only a few companies offer this service.
Let's clarify a couple of points, so you'll decide with 100% confidence which sparkle will make your eyes shine: the classic earth-made diamond or the cutting-edge lab-made diamond.
What Is Cremation Diamond
Cremation diamonds are lab-created diamonds that are made of human cremation ashes. First, the carbon from the cremation ashes is purified. Then, it is pressed into cremation diamonds using a High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) machine.
How Cremation Diamonds Are Made
You may be wondering how exactly this magical transformation takes place. How can human remains be transformed into a shiny diamond pendant or a pair of earrings? As you might imagine, it's never an easy job. There is a lot of attention, thought, and precision that goes into making a cremation diamond. Here's how it works.
Carbon Purification and Isolation
After cremation, the bones and hair of your loved one still contain carbon. Carbon only makes up 1% to 4% of the remains because most of the carbon is burned off during cremation. The very first step in creating a diamond is to separate the carbon. This can take many weeks. At the end, you have a powdered carbon graphite substance, the starting material for diamonds.
Graphite Conversion
In another long process, graphite powder is refined and filtered until its carbon content reaches 99.9%. Then, it is heated and pressurized to form a graphite structure. We call this process "graphitization."
Diamond Growth
In its incredible phase, the machine reproduces the exact conditions deep within the Earth's surface. Under the supervision of skilled scientists, carbon is exposed to temperatures of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The pressure applied is about 850,000 pounds per square inch. Gradually, the diamond begins to grow. It begins to crystallize at the top of the carbon crystal species. Over time, this turns into an unworked diamond. The amazing thing is that each person's diamond is unique. Each individual requires a different hot-pressure mix to grow a diamond, so the results are highly individualized. No two cremation diamonds are equivalent.
Rough Diamond Removal and Cleaning
The diamond is left alone inside a growing cell until it reaches a specified size. The more time you wait, the larger the diamond grows. Once the diamond reaches the expected size, the cell is extracted from the environment which is created by the machine. The rough diamonds wrapped in the middle of the molten metal in the growing cell are then cleaned in an acid bath.
Carving
At this step, the diamond is ready to be cut. This process is crucial because the cut of the diamond determines its quality. You can choose from various cuts, such as emerald cut, radiant cut, or brilliant cut. You can even choose to keep the diamond in its raw, uncut form. The diamond will be polished until it shines, no matter what form it is.
Diamond Coloring
Diamonds can be kept in their original color or can be colored. This is another opportunity to customize the stone by choosing a color such as green, pink, red, or black. In this process, different natural elements combine with high energy to create a "color center." The length of time required for coloring varies depending on the color chosen. For example, it takes about three months to create a completely opaque shade of black.
Grading and Engraving
Experts must carefully inspect diamonds to ensure they are 100% genuine. They check the cut, clarity, and color to make sure it is a real diamond. Its authenticity is then certified from authorized institutions like GIA, IGI. Finally, the diamond is laser engraved with the order number, also any requested personal information. These engravings are only visible when using a microscope with 30x magnification. Therefore, there is no need to worry that they will diminish your beautiful diamond's unique and elegant sparkle.
Why Do We Choose Cremation Diamonds to Memorize Our Beloved Ones
Diamonds symbolize eternity, loyalty, and invincibility, as we have uncovered throughout history. That is why cremation diamonds naturally come out of people's minds when it comes to choosing a way to memorize or honor a loved one. They help keep the spirits of those we have lost alive and allow us to share the unique memories they connected with the world.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Cremation Diamond?
Usually, it takes anywhere from 6-12 months from start to finish. This includes the purification process, diamond growth, diamond cutting, and coloration.
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer Ashes into a Diamond?
The cost of turning ashes into diamonds varied based on the carat size and diamond color you requested. Like a Swiss company, 'LONITÉ™ offers a 0.25-carat Naturally Amber™ diamond for $1400. The price goes up as the carat goes up, and also depends on the color and jewelry you choose.
How Much Human Ashes Do You Need to Make a Diamond?
It takes about 200 grams (8 ounces) of ashes or about 10 grams (0.4 ounces) of human hair to make a diamond. Some companies offer grieving families in the afterlife. It is a chance to remember the twinkle in the eyes of a lost loved one by gazing at the sparkle of a diamond growing out of their cremated remains. That's why we choose this way to memorize our loved ones by creating unique diamonds from their ashes or hair to eternally pass down the memories and spirits from generation to generation.