Ashes to Diamonds

An ashes-to-diamond memorial is a diamond grown in a laboratory from the carbon in a person's or pet's cremated remains, or from hair. It can be set in a ring or pendant and worn every day, or kept as a family heirloom.

Families choose it because a diamond is small, lasting and easy to pass down. Most companies use only a portion of the ashes, so a diamond can sit alongside an urn rather than replace it.

Diamonds are made from ashes by extracting the carbon from the remains, purifying it into graphite, and growing a diamond from it under very high pressure and heat. Every major provider follows the same five steps:

1. Send a portion of the ashes or hair- Most companies send a secure collection kit. You keep the rest of the ashes.
2. Carbon extraction- The lab separates carbon from the other minerals in the ashes and purifies it into graphite.
3. Diamond growth- The graphite goes into a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) press that recreates the conditions deep in the earth where natural diamonds form.
4. Cutting and polishing- A gem cutter shapes the rough stone into the cut you choose, such as round brilliant, princess or heart.
5. Certification and delivery- The diamond arrives with a certificate, and often an option to set it in jewelry.

Turning ashes into a diamond costs from about $1,400 to $3,499 for the smallest stones, and about $6,000 to $14,450 for a stone of around 1 carat. Price depends mainly on carat size and color. Colorless and blue stones usually cost more than yellow tones, and jewelry settings are extra.

Prices are in US dollars as published on November 3, 2026, and exclude jewelry settings. Some companies offer payment plans:

• Eterneva: 0% interest for up to 12 months.
• Algordanza: a prepaid plan spread over 36 or 60 months.
• LifeGem: a lower per-stone price when a family orders two or more small diamonds ($1,799 each).

Making a diamond from ashes takes about 6 to 12 months from the day the lab receives the remains. LifeGem says its process typically takes about 6 months, and LONITÉ says about 12 months. Growing a diamond slowly gives a better stone, so this is not a fast memorial. If you need something for a service, a keepsake urn or cremation jewelry can bridge the gap.

Most companies need between 100 grams (about 4 ounces) and 500 grams (about 1 pound) of ashes. An adult cremation produces far more than that, so there is plenty left for an urn.

Choose a company based on where the diamond is grown, whether only your loved one's carbon is used, how the diamond is certified, and the full price including the setting. Ask each provider these five questions:

• Where is the lab? Some families want the diamond grown in the US, others prefer Swiss labs.
• Is any outside carbon added? Ask for the answer in writing.
• How is it certified? Look for a certificate of authenticity and, ideally, an independent grading report.
• What does the price include? Confirm cutting, certification, shipping and the jewelry setting.
• How will you keep us updated? A 6 to 12 month process needs regular updates.

A memorial diamond holds the carbon from a small amount of ashes, while urns and cremation jewelry hold the ashes themselves. Many families combine them.

A diamond uses only a small share of the ashes, so most families still need a home for the rest. Common choices:

• A full-size cremation urn to keep at home
• Keepsake urns so several family members can each keep a portion
• Cremation jewelry to wear a small amount while the diamond is being made

Not sure what size you need? See our cremation urn size guide.