Memorial Diamonds – Questions & Answers
Prices start from £3250 which is for a half carat yellow canary diamond. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
Yes, each diamond we produce is a genuine diamond with the exact same properties and characteristics of a natural mined diamond but is termed a ‘created diamond’ or ‘laboratory grown diamond’. They are extremely difficult to tell from their natural counterparts which in nature are called ‘fancies’.
How do you make Memorial Diamonds?
All diamonds whether natural (mined) or man-made (laboratory grown) are made from carbon. Natural diamonds come from carbon which has been molten and compressed deep within the earth and formed over millions of years.
We make REAL Diamonds in a unique process which emulates almost exactly those conditions. We use carbon derived from cremation ashes, hair or even an umbilical cord, we compress it and heat it in a HPHT process (High Heat, High Temperature) but it only takes a few months rather than millions of years.
In our special process, a genuine raw diamond crystal is grown under extremely scientific conditions. After reaching a certain size, the raw diamond is then cut and polished just like a mined natural diamond.
No, if burial has been chosen over cremation then, it is possible to use both hair and nails but in this instance we need to liaise with your funeral director.
Can you make the diamond from my pet?
Yes, either using their hair or fur or their ashes once cremated. If you would like to discuss having a memorial diamond created from you pet please contact us.
How do I know you have used my donation?
Orders are uniquely identified throughout the whole process, from the original order form, to collection, processing, manufacturing, cutting & polishing to final delivery.
We offer Canary Yellow, Blue, White or Pink (the most common colour is yellow). Please click for details of our colours, sizes and prices.
We aim for VS1 or better but, just as in nature, many diamonds have tiny flaws and what are termed ‘inclusions’. The material you donate is as unique as the resultant diamond. We do not know the outcome until the raw crystal is complete, but we have many years of experience and we have consistent results.
The grown raw diamond can have various shades and flecks of carbon just as they are found in nature, but the experienced cutter avoids any such inclusions and flaws as much as possible whilst polishing to the size of finished diamond requested. 90% of the world’s gems are cut round, so the 58 facet ‘brilliant cut’ diamond will have the best flashes of fire and scintillation of the rainbow colours.
What sizes and cuts are available?
90% of the whole world’s diamonds are cut ‘Brilliant’ (round cut) with 58 facets which produces the best scintillation with flashes of fire and colours of the rainbow. We only recommend this cut – though we can cut & polish to different cuts including ‘Princess’ and ‘Radiant’ depending on the quality of the carbon and size of the raw diamond created.
Brilliant cut canary yellow diamonds are best from 0.25carat and our minimum order for a canary diamond is 0.5 carat (5mm) or 2 x 0.25 carat. The largest canary yellow diamond we offer is 2.00 carat and is simply beautiful for rings and pendants.
Free-range blue diamonds are cut from 0.25 carat upwards to around 0.8 carat (6.1mm). White and Pink from 0.25 carat to around 0.75 carat (6mm).
The size of the resultant diamond can depend on the amount of material being used. Hair, nail and umbilical cord diamonds need careful calculations and we can advise on what size is attainable.
Are they more expensive than natural diamonds?
No, natural blue and pink diamonds can range from £80,000 to £200,000per carat. Yellow diamonds from £8,000 – £45,000 so they are in fact less expensive than natural diamonds.
Once you place your order we will send you a sale pack which contains a donation bag, if you are sending cremation ashes we require a minimum of 100g. If you are donating hair then it should be cleaned and sent sealed in the supplied bag, approximately 15g is needed for a canary diamond and 50g for the blue.
The official order form must also be completed and signed, sent along with the deposit payment.
If you would prefer not to handle cremation ashes or would like to ask about providing something else such as an umbilical cord please contact us.
Please send us an e-mail or telephone us to arrange your order and we will send out a sale pack to you with full instructions. Our ‘Order Form’ is easy to complete and our ‘Terms and conditions’ are in plain English.
If you would prefer to have contact with us in person we can collect the material from you and can assist in filling in forms and take payment face to face.
We prefer payment of both the deposit and final payment by cheque or a bank transfer we can also accept credit cards and do not accept cash.
How long will my my diamond take?
The normal turn-around for Canary diamonds is 13-16 weeks. Blue diamonds take considerably longer, up to 6 months depending on the weight/size ordered.
Yes, we will write to you giving you your own copy of the order and if you gave us e-mail and/or a mobile number we will text or e-mail to confirm your donation arrived safely. If, before we deliver, you have any questions please call us. Once the cutter has polished the diamond, it will be almost ready to deliver. We will contact you to arrange personal delivery of your finished diamond.
From the date you signed the order form we offer a courtesy 14 days ‘cooling off’ period.
In this time you may cancel your order and receive a full refund of your deposit. After this time, once your diamond has gone into production cancellation charges will depend on the work already carried out.
Our sales and the supply are subject to mutual ‘Terms & Conditions’ detailed on the order form.
Can you make my diamond into a ring?
No, we provide a polished cut diamond, if you would like to have it set into a ring or other jewellery item you will need to make arrangements with your chosen jeweller directly.
Why are your diamonds both dearer / less expensive than ones I have seen?
On TV shopping channels and in adverts, you may see Diamondette, Diamondique, DiamondAura, Moissanite etc, if their description is not pure or real diamond they are not the same as our real and genuine diamonds. If a (so-called) ‘Diamond’ of 1 carat is offered at just a few thousand pounds, it is probably not a real diamond.
Our Canary Yellow diamonds are less expensive than the other colours we supply because one process is well tried and tested and relatively easy for us to replicate consistently. Blue diamonds and particularly White and Pink are very difficult to make and consequently cost more.
Can we have the off-cuts from our own diamond crystal?
We are unable to supply raw or bits of raw diamond as these are usually useless chips or simply diamond dust mixed with cutting and coolant fluids.
Can we come and see the process?
We are very sorry but we are unable to allow viewing of the process due to insurance and health and safety regulations imposed upon us.
