In an era where people seek unique and enduring ways to remember their loved ones, both human and furry companions, the trend of transforming cremation ashes into diamonds has gained significant popularity in Australia and New Zealand. This innovative form of memorialization allows individuals to hold onto the essence of their departed in a tangible, precious gem. However, one of the most pressing questions for those considering this option is about the cost. This comprehensive blog post aims to explore the various elements that contribute to the pricing of turning ashes into diamonds in Australia and New Zealand, share real - life case studies, and answer frequently asked questions.
Before delving into the cost aspects, it is crucial to understand the science behind turning ashes into diamonds. The fundamental principle involves extracting carbon from the cremation ashes. In the human body and in animals, carbon is a significant component, and during cremation, a certain amount of carbon remains in the ashes.
- Process: The HPHT method replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds are formed deep within the Earth. Once the carbon is extracted from the ashes, it is placed in a specialized chamber. Here, it is subjected to extremely high pressures, typically around 5 - 7 gigapascals, and high temperatures ranging from 1,400 - 1,600 °C. Under these intense conditions, the carbon atoms gradually rearrange themselves into the characteristic diamond lattice structure.
- Cost Implications: The HPHT process requires sophisticated and expensive equipment to generate and maintain the high - pressure and high - temperature environment. Additionally, the process is time - consuming, which adds to the overall cost. The energy consumption during the HPHT process is also significant, contributing to the final price of the ashes - to - diamond.
- Process: In the CVD method, a gas mixture containing carbon, such as methane, is introduced into a chamber. A heated substrate is placed inside the chamber, and a plasma is created. The plasma breaks down the gas molecules, and the carbon atoms are then deposited onto the substrate, layer by layer, gradually forming a diamond. This method allows for more precise control over the growth of the diamond and can be used to create diamonds with specific characteristics.
- Cost Implications: Although CVD does not require the same high - pressure equipment as HPHT, it still demands advanced machinery for plasma generation and precise control of the deposition process. The cost of the gases used in the CVD process, along with the need for highly skilled technicians to operate the equipment, impacts the final cost of the diamond made from ashes.
- Explanation: The carat weight of the diamond is one of the most significant factors affecting the cost. Larger diamonds require more carbon for their creation. Since the amount of carbon available in the ashes is limited, creating a larger diamond may involve more complex extraction and growth processes. For example, a 0.1 - carat diamond will generally be much less expensive than a 1 - carat diamond. As the size increases, not only does the amount of raw material (carbon) needed increase, but the time and energy required for the diamond - growing process also rise substantially.
- Case Study in Australia: In Sydney, Emma decided to turn her grandmother's ashes into a diamond. She chose a 0.3 - carat diamond, which cost her AUD 5,000. Her friend, Lily, who wanted a more prominent diamond of 0.8 carats for her father's ashes, paid AUD 12,000. The difference in price was directly related to the size of the diamonds, with the larger diamond requiring more resources and time to produce.
- Explanation: The color of the ashes - to - diamond can vary widely. Natural - white diamonds are often in high demand and can be more expensive to produce as they require a very pure carbon source and a precise manufacturing process to achieve the desired color. Fancy - colored diamonds, such as blue, pink, or yellow, can also be created, either through the presence of certain trace elements in the ashes or through additional treatment processes. These colored diamonds may have different price points depending on their rarity and the complexity of the color - creation process.
- Case Study in New Zealand: In Wellington, Tom wanted to create a unique memorial for his pet dog by turning its ashes into a diamond. He opted for a blue - colored diamond, inspired by his dog's bright eyes. The cost of the 0.2 - carat blue diamond was NZD 4,500. In contrast, a 0.2 - carat white diamond from the same service provider would have cost NZD 3,800. The extra cost for the blue diamond was due to the specialized process required to introduce the color - creating elements during the diamond - growing process.
- Explanation: Clarity refers to the presence or absence of inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (surface imperfections) in the diamond. Diamonds with higher clarity grades are more difficult to produce from ashes. The extraction process needs to be extremely precise to avoid introducing any impurities that could form inclusions. Additionally, during the diamond - growing process, careful control is required to ensure a flawless crystal structure. As a result, diamonds with higher clarity ratings command a higher price.
- Case Study in Australia: In Melbourne, Rachel wanted a high - quality diamond from her husband's ashes. She chose a diamond with a very high clarity grade (VVS1) and a carat weight of 0.5. The cost of this diamond was AUD 9,000. Another customer, David, who was on a tighter budget, opted for a diamond with a lower clarity grade (SI1) of the same carat weight. His diamond cost AUD 6,500. The difference in price reflected the higher quality and rarity of the higher - clarity diamond.
- Explanation: Different service providers in Australia and New Zealand have varying cost structures. Well - established and renowned companies may charge higher prices due to their brand reputation, advanced technology, and experienced staff. These companies may also offer additional services, such as personalized customer support, detailed documentation, and a wider range of customization options. Smaller, local service providers may offer more competitive prices, but their services and the quality of the diamonds may vary.
- Case Study in New Zealand: In Auckland, a well - known national service provider that had a reputation for using state - of - the - art technology and providing excellent customer service charged NZD 15,000 for a 1 - carat white diamond made from human ashes. A smaller, local company in Christchurch, on the other hand, offered a 1 - carat white diamond at NZD 12,000. The difference in price was partly due to the brand value and the additional services offered by the larger company.
- Explanation: Many customers choose to customize their ashes - to - diamonds by adding features such as custom jewelry settings, engravings, or special presentation boxes. A simple solitaire setting for the diamond will cost less than an elaborate, hand - crafted setting with additional gemstones. Engraving a name, date, or a special message on the diamond or the jewelry setting also incurs an additional cost. Some service providers offer premium presentation boxes that can add to the overall expense.
- Case Study in Australia: In Brisbane, Sarah wanted to create a unique piece of jewelry with the diamond made from her mother's ashes. She chose a custom - designed gold pendant with intricate filigree work. The cost of the 0.4 - carat diamond was AUD 6,000, and the additional cost for the custom - designed pendant was AUD 3,000, bringing the total cost to AUD 9,000.
- Carbon Extraction Process: The initial step of extracting carbon from both human and pet ashes is similar. The same scientific principles and techniques are used to isolate the carbon from the ashes, regardless of the source. This process forms the foundation of the ashes - to - diamond creation and incurs similar costs in terms of labor and equipment for both human and pet ashes.
- Diamond - Making Methods: Both human and pet ashes can be transformed into diamonds using the HPHT or CVD methods. The costs associated with these methods, including equipment, energy, and the expertise of technicians, are applicable in both cases. Whether it is a diamond created from a human loved one's ashes or a beloved pet's ashes, the underlying diamond - growing process remains the same, contributing to comparable cost factors.
- Volume of Ashes: Human ashes generally come in larger volumes compared to pet ashes. This can sometimes make it easier to extract sufficient carbon for a larger - sized diamond. In the case of small pets, such as cats or small dogs, the amount of ashes may be limited, which can pose challenges in creating a large diamond. Some service providers may need to use additional carbon sources (although they may claim to use only the pet's ashes), which can affect the cost.
- Market Demand and Perception: There may be differences in market demand and perception between human and pet ashes - to - diamonds. Some people may be willing to pay a premium for a diamond made from human ashes, considering it a more significant and personal form of memorialization. However, the pet - loving community in Australia and New Zealand is also strong, and there is a growing demand for pet ashes - to - diamonds, leading to a competitive market in this segment.
- Client Profile: Michael, a 40 - year - old man from Perth, lost his father after a long - term illness. His father was a significant influence in his life, and Michael wanted a lasting memorial.
- Decision - Making Process: Michael spent several weeks researching different service providers in Australia. He read online reviews, compared prices, and looked at the quality of the diamonds showcased on each company's website. He also considered the customization options available, as he wanted to have a special message engraved on the diamond.
- Cost and Outcome: Michael chose a 0.6 - carat white diamond with a high clarity grade. The cost of the diamond was AUD 8,500. He also opted for a custom engraving of his father's name and birth and death dates, which added AUD 500 to the cost. The total cost was AUD 9,000. When Michael received the diamond, he was extremely satisfied with its quality and the precision of the engraving. He had the diamond set in a simple gold ring and wears it as a constant reminder of his father.
- Client Profile: Jessica, a 28 - year - old woman from Hamilton, had a cherished cat named Luna. Luna was with Jessica through many life changes, and when she passed away, Jessica was heartbroken.
- Decision - Making Process: Jessica asked her friends who had previously used pet ashes - to - diamond services for recommendations. She also visited local pet stores and funeral homes to gather information. She was looking for a service provider that offered a range of diamond colors and had a good reputation for customer service.
- Cost and Outcome: Jessica decided on a 0.2 - carat pink diamond for Luna's ashes. The cost of the diamond was NZD 3,800. She also purchased a small, velvet - lined presentation box for an additional NZD 200. The total cost was NZD 4,000. Jessica was overjoyed with the final product. The pink diamond was a beautiful representation of Luna's gentle and loving nature, and the presentation box added an extra touch of elegance.
- Client Profile: The Brown family from Adelaide lost their mother. The three siblings, Emily, David, and Claire, decided to combine their mother's ashes to create three diamonds, one for each of them.
- Decision - Making Process: The siblings searched for a service provider that offered family packages. They wanted a company that could ensure the quality of the diamonds and provide a good discount for multiple diamonds. They also considered the turnaround time, as they were eager to have their memorial diamonds as soon as possible.
- Cost and Outcome: Each sibling received a 0.3 - carat white diamond. The regular cost for each diamond was AUD 5,500, but with the family discount, the total cost for the three diamonds was AUD 14,000. The service provider also provided a set of matching presentation boxes at no additional cost. The Brown siblings were very happy with the cost - effectiveness and the quality of the diamonds. They felt that the diamonds were a beautiful way to keep their mother's memory alive within the family.
- Client Profile: Tom, a 35 - year - old farmer from a small town in Southland, New Zealand, lost his loyal sheepdog, Max. Max had been by Tom's side for many years, helping him with the daily tasks on the farm.
- Decision - Making Process: Tom initially thought that turning Max's ashes into a diamond would be too expensive. However, he discovered a local service provider that offered more affordable options for rural customers. He contacted the company and discussed his requirements and budget.
- Cost and Outcome: Tom received a 0.1 - carat clear diamond for NZD 1,800. The service provider also included a simple keychain attachment for the diamond, which Tom could use to attach it to his keys. Tom was very pleased with the diamond. It was a small but meaningful way for him to remember Max, and the cost was within his budget.
- Answer: The time required to transform ashes into a diamond can vary depending on several factors. On average, it takes between 8 - 12 weeks. Smaller diamonds (0.1 - 0.3 carats) may take around 8 weeks, especially when using the CVD method, which can be relatively faster. Larger diamonds (0.5 carats and above) or those with more complex requirements, such as specific colors or high - clarity grades, may take up to 12 weeks or even longer. Some service providers may offer expedited services for an additional fee, which can reduce the waiting time to as little as 6 weeks.
- Answer: Yes, the diamonds created from ashes are real diamonds. They have the same chemical composition (carbon) and physical properties as natural diamonds. The only difference lies in the source of the carbon. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over millions of years, while ashes - to - diamonds are created using carbon extracted from cremation ashes through advanced technological processes such as HPHT or CVD. These diamonds can be graded and certified in the same way as natural diamonds based on the 4Cs (carat weight, color, clarity, and cut).
- Answer: The amount of ash required depends on the size of the diamond you want to create. Generally, for a small diamond (0.1 - 0.3 carats), around 5 - 10 grams of ashes may be sufficient. For larger diamonds (0.5 carats and above), more ashes may be needed, typically in the range of 10 - 20 grams. However, service providers can work with the amount of ashes available and may use additional carbon sources if necessary to achieve the desired diamond size, although some companies pride themselves on using only the customer - provided ashes.
- Answer: Yes, most service providers offer a variety of diamond shapes for you to choose from. Common shapes include round, princess, emerald, cushion, oval, and pear. The choice of shape may not significantly affect the cost in most cases, but more complex shapes may require additional cutting and polishing, which could add a small amount to the overall price. You can select the shape that best suits your personal preference or the design of the jewelry you plan to set the diamond in.
- Answer: If you don't have enough ashes to create the diamond of your desired size, some service providers may offer the option to use a small amount of additional carbon from a neutral source. However, this is not the case for all companies, and some may only work with the customer - provided ashes. In such cases, you may need to consider a smaller - sized diamond or discuss alternative options with the service provider. Additionally, if you have multiple sets of ashes (e.g., from multiple family members or pets), you may be able to combine them to create a larger diamond.
- Answer: Reputable service providers offer quality guarantees. They will typically provide a certificate of authenticity for the diamond, which includes details about its carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. This certificate serves as proof of the diamond's quality. If there are any issues with the diamond's quality, such as significant inclusions that were not disclosed or a color that does not match the description, the service provider should offer options for resolution, such as replacement or refund, depending on their specific policies.
- Answer: Yes, most service providers offer jewelry - setting services. You can choose from a wide range of jewelry options, including rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. The cost of the jewelry setting will depend on the type of metal (e.g., gold, platinum, silver), the complexity of the design, and any additional gemstones or features. Some customers prefer to have the diamond set in a simple solitaire setting, while others opt for more elaborate and customized designs.
- Answer: Reputable service providers take the security and handling of ashes very seriously. They have strict protocols in place to ensure that your ashes are properly labeled, stored, and processed. The facilities are often climate - controlled and monitored to prevent any damage or loss of the ashes. Additionally, many companies use advanced tracking systems to ensure that your ashes are accounted for at every stage of the process, from receipt to the creation of the diamond.
