To begin, I have to start by saying that this is not a joke. There are actually a select few companies around the world that claim to be able to create “memorial diamonds.” These jewels are called such because they are created by using the carbon that can be extracted from cremation ashes or hair.
When you think about it, the idea of manufacturing diamonds isn’t that far fetched. Since the 1950’s, scientists have been able to “grow” diamonds within a controlled laboratory setting. In nature, diamonds begin as carbon, which is compressed by the earth and heated to extremely high temperatures. Instead of waiting millions of years for nature to take its course, scientists have perfected the HPHT technique, or High Heat and High Pressure over Time, within a laboratory.
According to an article on TheHorse.com, a three-day event rider named Ronald Zabala-Goetschel is planning to have a diamond made from the hair of his horse, Che Mr. Wiseguy. The pair will be representing Ecuador at the World Equestrian Games next year. To read the remainder of the article please visit http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15124
Phoenix Diamonds, located in the United Kingdom, is a company on the forefront of new technology and research concerning laboratory-made diamonds. In fact, last year they created the world’s first diamond to be produced from carbon in the umbilical cord of a baby.
Phoenix insists that these man-made diamonds are not fake, but have all of the same properties as traditional mined diamonds. On the company’s website they even offer diamond certification by the UK Assay office to ensure that the diamond you receive is real and not cubic zirconium or moissanite.
They say the process itself takes about 12-14 weeks, which can vary depending on the size and color of the diamond being created. The most common color is canary, but they can also make diamonds in shades of blue, white, amber, green and red. The size ranges from .25 to 2 carats depending on the amount of original material provided.
Approximately 100 grams of cremation ash or 35-40 grams of hair is required to produce a canary diamond and 500 grams of ash or 100 grams of hair is needed for a blue diamond.
And now, comes the question of cost. To my surprise, Phoenix’s memorial diamonds do not cost as much as one might think. While specific rates may vary, the base-rate cost of a brilliant cut canary is 5950 UK pounds per carat, or approximately 10,950 USD. The base-rate for a blue diamond is 10,950 UK pounds per carat, or 18,179 USD.
For more information you can visit Phoenix Diamond’s website at phoenix-diamonds.com or their blog at phoenix-diamonds.blogspot.com.
