Frequently Asked Questions About Ashes to Diamonds

Our service starts at £2,040 for a 0.30 ct rough diamond. The price is determined by the carbon source, selected size and cut of your chosen cremation diamond.

No – the size of the diamond depends on the duration of the process. The longer the diamond stays in the growing phase, the larger it becomes.

If you do not desire an inhumation the entire ash volume would be leaved in the production process until the entire cremation ash is completely transformed. Otherwise, we send back the remaining ashes to the funeral home in order to entomb them at the native place or we scatter the remains in our forest cemetery in Switzerland or picked-up individually in Domat/Ems.

In special situations, such as cremation of small children or cremations with significant excess of oxygen, it can happen that the carbon in the cremation ashes given to us is insufficient to successfully grow one or more memory diamonds. In these cases, after the carbon analysis, we contact the funeral home and/or the bereaved and find a common solution, such as Two Sources / Origin.

During the cremation process of the corpse and coffin, the carbon goes through a metamorphosis. E.g. the German law stipulates a minimum temperature of 650 °C in the main combustion chamber in which the coffin is located. In the following downstream chamber, the significantly raised temperature of >850 °C prevents the emission of harmful gaseous emissions. During cremation, a large part of the carbon escapes as gaseous carbon dioxide. The proportion by weight of the carbon remaining in the main combustion chamber is generally between 0.5% and 2.5% of the dry cremation ash. This can be demonstrated technologically by appropriately equipped laboratories. The carbon is isolated from the ash by a wet-chemical process or pyrolysis and serves as the basis for the later diamond synthesis.

Due to technical and legal reasons, a cremation always takes place in a coffin. Therefore, the cremation ashes will contain minor components of the coffin, clothing, as well as potential implants. It is technically impossible to separate and divide this cremation ashes and the carbon also. As a result, the diamond lattice of the memorial diamond can contain some carbon atoms from the coffin or the clothing.

The synthesis takes about 4-8 months beginning from the date of reception of the Carbon source and the receipt of the payment. Nevertheless, the synthesis of a diamond is a highly complex process. In some cases, it can take more time. We assure you that quality and precision are our first priority.

The coloration depends on the element boron within the diamond. The more boron is bound to the carbon grid the more intense is blue coloration. We do not affect the coloring of the diamond. The unique blueish coloration emphasizes the uniqueness of your personal Memorial Diamond. In case of low boron density, the diamond will occur in light shade or white. The environment we use for the diamond growth prevents the incorporation of nitrogen atoms of the atmosphere into the diamond crystal lattice, which would result in a yellowish color of the memorial diamond.

Our top priority is the respectful treatment of the cremated remains in the process of cultivation of the memorial diamond. Obtaining the carbon from the cremated remains is the basis for the growth of the memorial diamond. Many steps of purification and graphitization are done between the ashes and the carbon extracted from it. Sometimes, in addition to the carbon, some very small trace elements of the cremains enter into the crystal lattice and appear in the diamond as inclusions. We regard this as a special proof and feature of the individual origin and the personal character of our unique memorial diamonds and not as a downside. More than 80% of Algordanza diamonds are VS1 or better, however we cannot guarantee a certain quality level due to the special origin of the carbon.