The process of transforming ashes or hair into a diamond typically takes between 6 and 12 months, depending on the selected color, cut, and any extra services chosen.
Colorless, blue, yellow, and black diamonds generally require less time because they don’t need any color enhancement. On the other hand, pink, red, and green diamonds take longer due to the additional color irradiation treatment involved.
The process of creating a diamond from ashes includes the following key stages:
We need just half a cup of ashes or hair to produce a memorial diamond, though smaller quantities are often adequate as well. You may supplement with additional carbon-rich items, such as cotton clothing, dried flowers, or handwritten letters. If you’re uncertain about the quantity you have, simply send whatever is available—we’ll check it and let you know if it’s sufficient.
The amount required for pet ashes or hair is identical to that needed for human cremated remains or hair.
Cremation diamonds are laboratory-created diamonds made from the carbon derived from a loved one’s ashes or hair. They provide a distinctive and timeless way to honor their memory, turning precious recollections into an exquisite, everlasting memento.
Yes, cremation diamonds are authentic diamonds. Like all lab-grown diamonds, they possess identical chemical, physical, and optical characteristics to mined diamonds. The difference can only be detected by a trained gemologist using specialized equipment.
We adhere to rigorous protocols throughout the entire process. Each order receives a unique personal ID to guarantee that the diamond is grown exclusively from your loved one’s ashes.
Every SAINT DIAMONDS cremation diamond comes with an official Certificate of Origin, verifying that your memorial diamond was truly created from the provided remains. This certificate can be independently re-verified by the certification institute at any time.
Yes, our cremation diamonds are capable of achieving the full range of ratings on the GIA scale. You may choose to have your memorial diamond independently certified by reputable third-party laboratories such as GIA or IGI.
Please keep in mind that every diamond is one-of-a-kind, influenced by the unique properties of the provided ashes, so the final grading can vary across the complete spectrum of GIA/IGI standards.
No, the hair’s type or color has no impact on the diamond’s clarity or final color. Hair pigmentation comes from melanin, not carbon, and we only extract the pure carbon from the sample.
The diamond’s clarity is determined by the effectiveness of our carbon purification process, whereas its color is influenced by trace elements like boron or nitrogen present in the ashes or hair. These elements can affect the color’s intensity but not the chosen hue itself.
Each person’s ashes or hair have a unique chemical makeup, which can lead to subtle differences in shade. At Saint Diamonds, we precisely control the color outcome by removing unwanted elements according to your selected specifications. That said, the resulting color remains inherently one-of-a-kind, shaped by the distinctive composition of your loved one’s remains.
The best cut for your diamond is ultimately a matter of personal taste, or it could reflect the personality of the loved one it commemorates. We offer a wide selection of styles, ranging from classic to distinctive.
Our signature Round cut is the most sought-after choice, celebrated for its clean lines and timeless sophistication, which enhances the diamond’s brilliance and optimizes light return. That said, we also provide many other shapes, such as Radiant, Princess, Emerald, Asscher, Heart, Pear, Marquise, Cushion, and Oval, along with the option of Rough, uncut diamonds.
We additionally offer uncut diamonds starting at 0.75 carats with a 20% discount.
Yes, certain cuts come with an additional fee. Smaller diamonds and more complex shapes, such as marquise or heart cuts, demand greater skill and precision during crafting, resulting in extra costs.
Diamond sizes are available from 0.25 to 3.00 carats.
Based on our experience, the most sought-after colors for cremation diamonds are colorless, blue, and yellow. Many customers choose colorless diamonds for their classic, timeless sophistication and traditional charm.
Yellow diamonds are popular thanks to their warm, natural tone and more affordable pricing relative to other colored options. Blue diamonds, meanwhile, carry deep symbolic meaning, representing profound emotion, peace, and everlasting love.
Yes, you can certainly order just the loose diamond. The diamond is the heart of this meaningful experience, and any additional services are completely optional.
With extensive experience in crafting memorial diamonds, we offer exceptional expertise at every stage, guaranteeing superior quality and meticulous artistry. We recognize that each diamond embodies a one-of-a-kind and deeply treasured person.
That’s why we deliver dedicated, personalized guidance and support throughout the entire journey—helping you make informed choices, from selecting the ideal diamond to designing bespoke jewelry.
Opting for Saint Diamonds means embracing a lasting legacy of love, remembrance, and timeless beauty.
We understand that many of our customers like to read about other people’s experiences with us. You’re welcome to explore client stories and testimonials on our Instagram page, where we share journeys with Saint Diamonds. You can also find reviews on platforms like Google and Trustpilot.
Here’s one heartfelt review from our customer:
“I found out about the option of ashes to diamonds a few years prior when doing research for an article I was writing. The day I received my Saint Diamonds package felt like the day I got my college acceptance letter. Five years later, my heart still trembled, just as it did when I saw Rocky for the first time and I knew I had made the right choice. He may be gone, but I can continue to take him with me everywhere I go. Thank you, Saint Diamonds. Thank you for giving me closure and hope.” – Amy
Saint Diamonds cultivates its diamonds in Europe. Our cutting-edge laboratory guarantees exceptional quality and environmentally responsible methods in diamond production. As lab-grown diamond technology was pioneered in Europe, we employ some of the world’s leading experts right here on the continent.
We suggest ordering our Submission Kit, an invaluable tool that greatly simplifies the carbon submission process. Should you require any help with returning the kit to us, feel free to reach out to our customer service team for assistance.
We require approximately eight tablespoons of cremated ashes or half a cup of hair to produce a diamond. We can accept carbon from multiple sources (for instance, 50% from hair and the remaining 50% from ashes). Chemically, pet ashes and fur are very similar to those from humans, so the required quantity remains the same in all cases. It is perfectly safe to combine the ashes of two loved ones. Please note that creating a memorial diamond from two or more different sources (such as hair combined with ashes) will involve an extra fee; however, there is no additional charge when combining the same type of material (hair with hair or ashes with ashes).
Hair contains roughly 45-50% carbon, while cremated ashes usually have only 1-5% carbon. Although hair is much richer in carbon, the exact amount needed is harder to estimate because hair texture and density vary greatly from person to person. That’s why we recommend weighing hair precisely in grams for accurate submission. With ashes, on the other hand, we can easily convert the required weight into tablespoons, making it simpler to measure.
Certainly! Following cremation, the remains consist mainly of minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus. Carbon is still present, however, in the form of leftover organic material. Although much of the carbon is oxidized and lost during the high-temperature cremation process, a small amount survives as charred fragments. It is these remnants that provide the carbon content in cremated ashes. The carbon percentage in ashes typically ranges from 1-5%, and can vary based on factors like the age of the deceased, their diet, and other individual circumstances.
No, it doesn’t. From as little as half a cup of ashes or hair, we can extract several grams of carbon—yet only about one gram is required to grow a single diamond.
No, you don’t need to wash or clean the hair before sending it to us. Our laboratory team will take care of the thorough cleaning and sterilization process.
Yes, you’re welcome to provide a smaller amount of ashes. We’re flexible and will collaborate with you to find a solution that best fits your family’s needs. You may also choose to send only a portion of the remains for personal reasons. If there aren’t enough ashes or hair to meet the required quantity for production, family members can contribute additional hair to make up the difference.
Yes! Ashes from aquamation may have a slightly different composition than those from traditional flame cremation, but they still contain sufficient carbon that can be used to create memorial diamonds.
Saint Diamonds meticulously purifies and processes all received remains (whether hair or ashes) in the initial phases of memorial diamond production. The carbon obtained through this purification is then used to grow an authentic diamond. Any excess carbon, which takes the form of graphite powder, is securely stored in our laboratory. Ultimately, this remaining carbon is incinerated in a specialized small-scale furnace.
The carbon present in hair and ashes does not expire or degrade over time. As long as we receive the required amount of ashes or hair, we can successfully create a memorial diamond, no matter how much time has passed since the loved one’s passing.
Not at all! We’re truly happy to create a diamond that celebrates the unique bond you share with your partner, pet, family members—or even a combination of them all. Many of our clients have provided hair to produce heartfelt diamonds for wedding ceremonies, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
Any carbon-containing materials can be used to grow diamonds. You’re free to combine different sources of carbon, such as ashes and hair, or include contributions from multiple individuals or pets within the same category—for example, hair from your entire family, including your pet. You’re not restricted to just ashes or hair; you can choose whatever meaningful items you prefer for creating your diamond. The required base material is equivalent to about half a cup in volume and can come from a variety of personal objects, such as pieces of a favorite T-shirt, blanket, pillow, stuffed animal, dried flowers, a handwritten note on cardstock, or even a lock of your own hair—or a mix of hair from family members. Please note, however, that submitting diverse types of carbon sources will incur an additional charge due to the extra laboratory processing steps involved.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to mix the ashes.
We keep our customers informed throughout the various stages of the process, including sharing photos along the way. We understand that transforming ashes into a diamond is a significant and emotional decision, and it’s important for you to stay updated on what’s happening and when.
All our jewelry mounts are handcrafted from 14k yellow, white, or rose gold.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate that request, as ensuring a flawless result involves many detailed considerations. We only set diamonds into the jewelry pieces featured on our website or into custom designs we create together with you. However, you’re welcome to purchase loose diamonds from us and have them set into your existing jewelry by a local jeweler or another professional of your choice.
If you’re still unsure about the setting, choosing the ideal jewelry piece can often be one of the last steps in the journey. Many of our clients take several months to decide—or even to refine their preferences—giving them plenty of time to feel completely confident that the final design matches their vision perfectly.
Yes, we provide both laser inscription on the diamond and engraving on the jewelry. Laser inscription involves adding text to the girdle (the edge) of the diamond itself, while jewelry engraving might include lettering inside a ring band, for example. We can send your memorial diamond to the IGI for certification, which includes laser engraving. You’re free to select up to 30 characters (including spaces) for the inscription—it can be anything meaningful to you, from a simple word like “Mom” to a favorite quote or personal message. Please keep in mind that these laser inscriptions are microscopic and can only be viewed under magnification.
IGI certification, which includes laser engraving, has a standard fee of $500.
With your permission, we safely extract and store any excess carbon from the ashes. This enables us to grow additional diamonds in the future or replace one if it’s ever lost. We strongly recommend insuring your diamond to prevent any unexpected replacement expenses.
Yes, we offer dedicated diamond insurance. For an annual premium of just 5% of the diamond’s value, you’ll have coverage against breakage or cracking. This policy protects the diamond itself only (not the jewelry setting). Should damage occur, we’ll manage the regrowth process to ensure your precious memories remain perfectly preserved.
Yes, we can ship to your country of residence.
To guarantee safe delivery, we collaborate with trusted shipping carriers and include full insurance coverage for every shipment. To date, we have had no reported incidents of loss. We fully recognize the immense financial and emotional value of your cremation diamond. In the rare event that it becomes lost in transit, we will either provide a complete refund or regrow the diamond for you at no extra charge.
This varies depending on the country from which you’re sending the ashes or hair. If you’re in the USA, you’ll typically return the kit using FedEx or UPS. Please refer to the prepaid shipping label included in the package, and you’ll also find a detailed submission guide inside the kit.
The cost to ship your finished diamond to you is $49.
We’re unable to foresee exactly how customs authorities in your country will process the diamond shipment. That said, we have successfully delivered to numerous international destinations, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, and China.
You can find our full pricing details on our website, where prices start from £1,200.
Yes! We provide a 5% discount on each additional diamond you order.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, memorial diamonds and mined natural diamonds are both authentic, real diamonds. However, they are distinctly different products, so their values cannot be directly compared. While both can be worn as beautiful jewelry, we believe the true significance of a memorial diamond lies in its ability to capture the essence of your loved one, giving it an irreplaceable emotional value.
Purchasing the diamond alone does not come with a jewelry piece included. That said, we provide complimentary standard settings for diamonds of 0.75 carat and above, and free premium settings for diamonds starting at 1.5 carat. Our collection features a broad range of jewelry options, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. If you have a particular design in mind, we’re also happy to craft custom jewelry tailored to your exact preferences.
Real support from real people. We’re available by phone and email to help you.
