Good morning collectors of minerals and precious stones, this time we bring you a very interesting post that explains about diamonds that are made with the ashes of people or pets. If you want to have a beautiful and unique memory of that loved and special person who was part of your life, we invite you to learn how this method works. Here you will learn advantages, step by step, how it works and much more.
Introduction to diamonds made from ashes
In recent decades, the practice of acquiring synthetic diamonds that are created in the laboratory has become popular. These types of diamonds have many advantages, for example, they are environmentally friendly, they are cheaper and of better quality than natural diamonds, and they are ethically sourced.
Taking into account the practices used to create beautiful synthetic diamonds In 2001, a company called LifeGem had the idea of creating a diamond from the ashes of a deceased person with the aim of having a beautiful memory and preserving the essence of that special person for life.
Literally a part of that person will last even millions of years, in my opinion it is a spectacular idea! Also, keep in mind that even you can make a beautiful diamond with the ashes of a pet, not just a person.
The science behind diamonds made from ashes
To understand how a diamond can be created from the ashes of a person or a pet, it is necessary to understand how natural diamonds are formed and what their physical and chemical properties are. Let us remember that these precious stones are made up of 100% carbon (C) and thanks to this they belong to the group of minerals or native elements.
The natural diamonds crystallize in the upper mantle of the earth about 200 kilometers below the surface, that is, they need extreme pressures and temperatures that allow carbon to crystallize into a diamond. Scientists believe that the carbon comes from dissolved gases in the rocks and magma found in the mantle. High pressure, extreme temperature, and radiation cause carbon atoms to break away from these gases and accumulate to form diamond crystals.
Taking these principles into account, scientists have created machines that simulate the extreme conditions that occur in the earth’s mantle and that are capable of creating artificial diamonds from a mixture of small diamond seeds, carbon-enriched gases and the ashes of the deceased or pets. Keep in mind that these ashes also provide carbon for the crystallization of the new diamond. It is thus in a general way that a part of that loved one will be embodied in a precious stone that will last even millions of years.
Why make diamonds with the ashes of the deceased?
There are many reasons why a person would like to have a diamond made from ashes since it can be a precious memory of a loved one, a pet or even ourselves In general, I could summarize the following advantages and benefits.
- You can have a beautiful memory of that person or pet that was very important to you.
- A diamond made with ashes has the same resistance as a natural diamond, therefore, it can last even millions of years or forever on this planet. A small part of your loved one will always live.
- A diamond made from ashes will be equal to or more beautiful than a natural diamond with the peculiarity that it preserves the essence of that special being.
- It is a unique and incomparable memory. Why would someone not want to have a diamond made with a small part of that being that has left a mark on their life?
Steps to make diamonds with ashes
It should be mentioned that the process of making a diamond from ashes of the deceased is very similar to what is done with any type of synthetic or artificial diamond. The technique is based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD), consisting of encasing small diamonds that function as seeds + carbon-enriched gases + the ashes of the deceased, pet or loved one in a special machine that simulates the geological conditions of formation of natural diamonds. The point is to separate the carbon in the entire mixture so that it crystallizes as a new diamond along with the diamond crystals that function as the seed. The step by step is summarized below.
- First, the interested person is asked to provide at least a half cup of the ashes of the person or pet. The ashes come from the cremation of the body or hair. These ashes are the raw material that provides the carbon (C) necessary to create the diamond.
- The second step is to chemically analyze the ashes to find out how much carbon it contains and thus know how much must be processed to create the new precious stone.
- The third step is to process the ashes; what is done is to dissolve the chemical impurities and subject the material to high pressure and temperature to obtain graphite in an oxygen-free environment.
- Then the chemical vapor deposition technique is carried out, where small diamonds (they are called seeds) + carbon-rich gases + the chemically processed ash are mixed in a completely sealed chamber. Here the mixture is subjected to extreme pressure, temperature, radiation and waves similar to microwaves that are capable of separating carbon from gases and ashes.
- The separated carbon then begins to crystallize around the diamond seeds to form a new crystal after several days.
- Subsequently, the new diamond is polished and a jewel such as a ring or necklace can also be created.
- Finally, the diamond made from ashes is delivered to the person who placed the order.
Frequently asked questions about diamonds made with ashes
Can pet ashes be used to make the diamond?
Of course, all living beings are composed of carbon, which is the raw material to make a diamond, therefore, the ashes of people and animals can be used.
Can I make a diamond of myself?
Hell yeah, to make a diamond out of yourself you could use ashes from your hair. Hair also has carbon, and it also retains all the essence of a person.
Do diamonds made from ashes last less than a natural diamond?
NO, diamonds with ashes have the same properties and characteristics as a natural diamond, therefore, they will be just as beautiful and just as resistant, in fact, they could last millions of years until the earth dies out.
Can you make diamonds with ashes that have various colors?
Yes, the colors in diamonds will depend on the trace elements that are added to the mix while the gemstones are being made, for example, nitrogen gives a yellow hue, boron a blue hue, radiation a green hue, etc. So you can have a diamond with ashes of any color.
Are cremated diamonds less valuable than natural diamonds?
On the contrary, these types of diamonds are purer and have better quality than natural diamonds. This is because the manufacturing process is carefully controlled in such a way that a gemstone that is almost perfect in terms of chemistry and physical properties is obtained.