Diamonds are unique in their chemical composition and crystal structure, making them unique members of the mineral kingdom. Diamonds are the only gems made up of a single element (carbon): they contain 99.95% carbon. Another 0.05% may be one or more trace elements, i.e., atoms that are not part of the basic chemical structure of a diamond. Some trace elements affect their color or crystal shape. In recent years, the rise of artificial diamonds, synthetic diamonds, or laboratory-grown diamonds has given new options for purchasing diamonds. Also, extracting carbon from the ashes of deceased relatives and friends to make a unique artificial diamond has become increasingly popular. The "diamonds last forever" indeed.
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Artificial Diamonds
Artificial diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds or laboratory-grown diamonds, are made via technology, compared to diamonds naturally formed in the geological process. Synthetic diamonds are also divided into HPHT diamonds and CVD diamonds, representing their processing methods and processes: High-Pressure, High-Temperature, and Chemical Vapor Deposition.
The Differences between Artificial Diamonds and Natural Diamonds
The most significant difference between synthetic natural diamonds is their formation. Natural diamonds are products formed by nature over long periods, under extremely high temperatures and pressures deep down in the Earth, while synthetic diamonds are produced by artificial means by which carbon is polymerized into crystals for about days or weeks. Although formed in different ways, natural diamonds are the same as man-made diamonds in chemical compositions, crystal structures, optical properties, and physical properties.
Manufacturing of Synthetic Diamonds
According to manufacturing technology, the synthesis of artificial diamonds can be divided into HPHT (high temperature and high pressure) diamonds and CVD (chemical vapor precipitation method) diamonds. Diamonds produced through HPHT or CVD are almost identical to natural diamonds, with the only difference in the atomic structure, which is why a magnifying glass or microscope can't distinguish synthetic diamonds! You have to give the diamonds to a professional appraiser to identify them.
Substitute Gemstones of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Moissanite is the most difficult to identify and differentiate from natural diamonds among synthetic stones. Because its physical, chemical and optical properties are pretty close to the natural diamond, the hardness is relatively high; logically, it has replaced the CZ (Cubic Zirconia), which used to be the best replacement for natural diamonds. CZ is also known as "synthetic zircon,” which misleads many people to think that zircon is also a synthetic diamond. Jewelers are using "zircon" instead for diamond decoration, but zircon is not a synthetic diamond, it is also a natural gem, but it is not a diamond.
How to Identify an Artificial Diamond
We generally start by distinguishing by weight or hardness to identify synthetic diamonds. Before the advent of moissanite, it was more common for people to use diamond probes to identify genuine and counterfeit diamonds using thermal conductivity. However, due to the moissanite's excellent thermal conductivity and thermal dispersion, even diamond probes will show the same reaction as natural diamonds. Fortunately, later we had the carbon silica detector, which can be specified to identify the moissanite.
Turn Ashes into a Diamond
Making the ashes of a loved one or pet into diamonds is a lengthy process, with customers deciding on the diamond's size, color, cut, and commemorative text, which can then take about 8 to 10 months. During this time, vendors report progress to customers at least twice a month in various ways that give the clients peace of mind and show them videos and pictures of the process. Many customers feel that this process has given them hope from the grief of losing a loved one. The twice-monthly updates are a highlight to look forward to in their lives, and they feel hope in the process. When 8 to 10 months are up, the manufacturer arranges to ship or deliver the diamond in person to the customer's home. Clients know that they will always be with the diamonds that symbolize their loved ones. For clients, this is a comforting experience.
The Process of Manufacturing Cremation Diamonds
Making ashes into diamonds is a long and magical process: the ashes are purified in a 5,400-degree high-temperature vacuum induction furnace and then fed into high-temperature, high-pressure instruments for crystallization in a crustal-like simulated environment. This temperature and pressure are equivalent to the condition under which a natural diamond is formed.
Ashes Collection
It takes about 200 grams to make a "cremation diamond".
Carbon Purification
The ashes are heated under very high temperatures to extract carbon from various laboratory processes.
HPHT Crystallization
Carbon extracted from ash is converted into graphite in specific HPHT devices.
Pressurization
Graphite will be placed in a unique diamond compressor that simulates the forces of the nature of heating and pressurization.
Cutting
Diamond craftsmen will cut the diamond according to the client's requirements and engrave their laser code on the diamond's waist.
The Prices for Cremation Diamonds
Cremation diamonds are also artificial diamonds in nature, and the prices also vary depending on diamond size, color, cut, clarity, etc. Pure white natural diamonds are more common and cheaper than colored natural diamonds. Cremation diamonds are not the same: pure white ones are more expensive than colored ash diamonds. Relatively, ashes diamonds are more memorable than natural diamonds.
Cremation Diamonds from LONITÉ™ in Zurich, Switzerland
For LONITÉ™ cremation diamonds, the price of amber and blue ash diamonds is close to that of natural yellow diamonds. Pure white cremation diamonds cost more than natural colorless diamonds because of their higher technical requirements.
Lower Price for Ash Diamonds
The prices for making the ashes of your loved ones or loved pets into beautiful diamonds depend on the complexity of the entire production process.
We want to offer families worldwide the lowest price possible and a wide range of options for memorial diamond jewelry, including cremation diamond rings, diamond necklaces, and earrings. So you can wear a piece of cremation jewelry made from the ashes of a loved one or loved pet, and the memorial is significant. That's why we recommend LONITÉ™ instead of getting other memorial diamonds.