Clear Memorial Diamonds Made From Ashes

Memorial Diamonds: A Lasting Tribute to Cherished Memories**

Memorial diamonds, also known as cremation diamonds or remembrance diamonds, offer a unique and profoundly personal way to memorialize a loved one – be it a human family member or a cherished pet.  These diamonds are not merely symbolic; they are genuine, lab-created diamonds crafted from the very essence of the departed: their cremated remains (ashes) or hair.  This process transforms the carbon extracted from these remains into a beautiful, enduring gemstone, offering a tangible connection to the past and a lasting legacy for the future.

**The Science Behind Memorial Diamonds: From Ashes to Gemstone**

The creation of a memorial diamond is a sophisticated scientific process that mirrors, albeit in an accelerated timeframe, the natural geological forces that create diamonds deep within the Earth. The process involves several key stages:

1. **Carbon Extraction:** The first step involves carefully extracting the carbon from the cremated remains or hair.  Cremated remains primarily consist of bone fragments and inorganic residues, with a small percentage of carbon. Hair, on the other hand, is rich in carbon.  The extraction process involves specialized techniques to isolate and purify the carbon, ensuring its purity for the subsequent diamond creation.

2. **Purification and Preparation:** The extracted carbon undergoes a rigorous purification process to remove any impurities. This is crucial as the purity of the carbon directly affects the quality and clarity of the final diamond.  The purified carbon is then prepared for the high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) environment required for diamond synthesis.

3. **Diamond Synthesis (HPHT Method):** The core of the memorial diamond creation process lies in the use of High Pressure/High Temperature (HPHT) technology.  This method simulates the extreme conditions found deep within the Earth's mantle, where natural diamonds are formed over millions of years.  The purified carbon is placed within a specialized HPHT press, where it is subjected to immense pressure (typically around 5-6 GPa, equivalent to 50,000-60,000 atmospheres) and high temperature (around 1300-1600 degrees Celsius).  These extreme conditions cause the carbon atoms to rearrange and bond together, forming the crystalline structure of a diamond.

4. **Crystal Growth:** Within the HPHT press, a small "seed" crystal of diamond is typically used as a starting point for the new diamond's growth. The carbon atoms from the purified sample gradually deposit onto this seed crystal, layer by layer, causing the diamond to grow in size.  The growth process can take several weeks or even months, depending on the desired size and characteristics of the diamond.

5. **Cutting and Polishing:** Once the diamond crystal has reached the desired size, it is carefully removed from the HPHT press.  The rough diamond is then sent to expert gem cutters who meticulously shape and polish it, bringing out its brilliance and fire.  The cutting and polishing process is a delicate art, requiring precision and skill to maximize the diamond's beauty.  Various cuts are possible, including brilliant, princess, emerald, and others, each offering a unique aesthetic appeal.

6. **Certification and Grading:**  Just like natural diamonds, memorial diamonds can be certified and graded by reputable gemological laboratories.  These certifications verify the diamond's authenticity, origin (lab-created), and characteristics, such as color, clarity, cut, and carat weight (the "4Cs" of diamond quality).  While memorial diamonds are not mined from the earth, they possess the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, making them indistinguishable from their natural counterparts to the naked eye.