The Whole Process to Create Brilliant Diamonds from Ashes
Memorial diamonds can be described as diamonds made from ashes. They are classified under synthetic diamonds or lab-grown diamonds since they are produced inside laboratories. Scientists and researchers have tried many processes of making lab-grown diamonds, and with the help of technological advancements, are also able to create diamonds from ashes.
However, just because diamonds from ashes and hair were not mined on the Earth’s surface like natural diamonds does not mean they are of lower quality. In fact, they share the same properties as natural diamonds, and are even superior in some aspects which make them useful in industrial applications as well.
Discussing the different characteristics of diamonds from ashes and hair, along with the processes needed to develop them is important so that people will become more knowledgeable on this aspect. This also allows people to have more options on diamonds, and on how they want to celebrate the memories of their departed loved ones.
CONTENT
THE START OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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Ever since it was discovered by Smithson Tennant in 1797 that diamonds are made of highly organized carbon, there have been countless attempts to replicate these strong and valuable stones.
In 1879, James Ballantyne Hannay’s attempt to create synthetic diamonds was a success. The English chemist did it by mixing bone oil, lithium, and paraffin. He poured the mixture onto iron tubes, sealed them, and placed them in a furnace with a temperature of 3,500 degrees Celsius.
It was followed by the French chemist Ferdinand Frédéric Henri Moissan in 1893. His process of replicating synthetic diamonds was done by mixing pure carbon and iron. He placed the mixture in a crucible and stored it in his electric arc furnace with a temperature of about 4,000 degrees Celsius. After heating the mixture, he cooled it through a water bath. The mixture was exposed to great pressure which led to its contraction.
There were scientists who used Hannay’s and Moissan’s instructions to produce synthetic diamonds. Some of them reported making synthetic diamonds while other scientists think their methods were quite dubious. They do not believe that Hannay and Moissan were able to produce entirely synthetic diamonds.
In fact, the Anglo-Irish engineer Sir Charles Algernon Parsons (most popularly known for inventing the compound steam turbine) spent forty years making experiments and research on synthetic diamonds. In 1928, Dr. C. H. Desch published an article, with Parson saying that no synthetic diamonds were made up to that date. He believes that those “synthetic diamonds” are most likely another type of gemstone called synthetic spinel.
THE ORIGIN OF LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
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Synthetic diamonds may also be referred to as lab-grown diamonds or artificial diamonds because they are not formed in a natural environment. These synthetic diamonds may be made either through HPHT (high pressure and high temperature) or CVD (chemical vapor deposition), although HPHT is more commonly used because of lower production costs.
There were experiments concerning lab-grown diamonds in the 1940s, but these were interrupted because of the Second World War. Studies were resumed in the 1950s, and the first diamond synthesis production was done in 1953.
The process of creating detonation nanodiamonds started in the 1990s, followed by the high-power ultrasound process. However, the high-power ultrasound is not done for commercial purposes.
Lab-grown diamonds cost approximately thirty percent less than natural diamonds.
SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS PROCESSES
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These synthetic diamonds processes include the following:
HPHT (high pressure and high temperature)
CVD (chemical vapor deposition
Detonation of carbon-containing explosives
High-power ultrasound
PRODUCING SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS THROUGH HPHT
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There are three press designs in this process: the belt press, the cubic press, and the split-sphere press. A diamond seed is placed at the bottom of the presses and will be heated to more than 1,400 degrees Celsius. The solvent metal will be melted and dissolve the carbon source. It will be transported to the diamond seed and will lead to the formation of a synthetic diamond.
PRODUCING SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS THROUGH CVD
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Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is another method used to make memorial diamonds. This process forms a carbon plasma over a layer and is where carbon atoms deposit to create diamonds. Type IIa diamonds are made out of CVD. These diamonds have very little to no impurities and are one of the rarest types of diamonds.
PRODUCING SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS THROUGH DETONATION OF EXPLOSIVES
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In this method, explosives filled with carbon are detonated to make synthetic diamonds. Since these diamonds have a diameter of about 5 nanometers, they are called detonation nanodiamonds. This kind of synthetic diamond is mostly used for polishing purposes.
PRODUCING SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS THROUGH HIGH-POWER ULTRASOUND
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This method is done by suspending graphite in organic liquid at atmospheric pressure and room temperature through ultrasound cavitation (forming of vapor cavities). The cost is using high-power ultrasound is similar to HPHT, but the synthetic diamonds produced are of poorer crystalline quality.
SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS PROPERTIES
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Synthetic diamonds possess properties that make them even more valuable. These include the following:
Crystallinity
Electrochemical properties
Electronic properties
Hardness
Impurities and inclusions
Optical dispersion
Thermal conductivity
CRYSTALLINITY OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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Synthetic diamonds are either made up of many smaller crystals called polycrystals or a single, continuous crystal. Large, single-crystal diamonds with high clarity and transparency are often used to make gemstones. Polycrystalline diamonds (PCD) are not used in making gemstones because their small grains can be seen by the naked eye. Instead, these diamonds are used in industrial work like cutting and mining tools. The grain size of the crystals describes the type of synthetic diamonds. These grain sizes range from of microcrystals (microcrystalline diamonds) up to the smallest nanocrystals (nanocrystalline diamonds).
ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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The electrochemical properties of synthetic diamonds make them advisable to be used for industrial and household applications. These diamonds can survive in harsh physical, chemical, and radioactive environments. Efficient oxidation of organic and inorganic compounds takes place die to the electrochemical properties of synthetic diamonds.
ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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The electronic properties of synthetic diamonds have made them helpful in advanced medical care purposes. These include therapy for eye cancer patients, laser treatments, surgical operations, and radiotherapy dosimetry detectors. These diamonds enable a shorter operating time and lower cost on the part of the patient. Synthetic diamonds also possess high electrical carrier mobility and wide electronic band gap which make them excellent semiconductors.
HARDNESS OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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Diamonds are known as the hardest mineral because it ranks a perfect ten in the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This means that diamonds cannot be visibly scratched by any other mineral with a rank below ten on the Mohs scale. However, the hardness of synthetic diamonds largely depends on crystalline perfection, orientation, and purity. Purer synthetic diamonds are harder than other diamonds.
IMPURITIES AND INCLUSIONS OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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Synthetic diamonds have atoms other than carbon, and these can are often known as inclusions. In gemstones, diamonds with fewer inclusions and other impurities are preferred since they are considered more valuable. These can be checked through magnification and other analytical processes.
Some manufacturers of synthetic diamonds purposely add inclusions to manipulate certain properties. For example, pure diamonds are good electrical insulators, but adding boron to these diamonds can turn them into electrical semiconductors. Nitrogen impurities can limit the movement of defects within the crystal structure of a diamond, thereby leading to increased hardness.
OPTICAL DISPERSION OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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Synthetic diamonds are known to have the widest spectral band ranging from ultraviolet to far-infrared. Because of their optical properties, they are used in defense, laser applications, and research and development. They are often applied in laser optics and automotive cutting purposes.
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS
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The thermal conductivity of synthetic diamonds is four times higher than copper. The single-crystal synthetic diamond composing of just one isotope of carbon is known to have the highest thermal conductivity They were first successfully used in the telecommunications industry as a ‘heat sink’ for microelectronic devices and other sensitive components.
HOW TO MAKE DIAMONDS FROM ASHES AND HAIR
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After the technological breakthroughs in a synthetic diamond formation, the concept of making diamonds from ashes and hair (memorial diamonds) started in the 2000s. Here at EverDear & Co., we use three main steps in creating diamonds from human ashes. These are:
Carbon extraction and refinement
Diamonds from ashes formation
Cutting and polishing the diamonds from ashes
If you prefer, you can also have diamonds made from hair. The same process will take place to create a memorial diamond.
CARBON EXTRACTION TO MAKE DIAMONDS FROM ASHES
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To make diamonds out of ashes, carbon must first be extracted from the ashes and/or hair. At least 100 grams of ashes are needed to make diamonds from ashes. On the other hand, 2 grams are needed to make diamonds from hair. Both ashes and hair can be used to make memorial diamonds.
The ashes and hair are exposed to heat in a vacuum environment and are purified by hand. The colour of the diamonds from ashes is also decided upon in this stage depending on the type of purification process. It must be noted that the colour of the diamonds from human ashes will also be affected by the unique chemical composition of the ashes.
Yellow is the natural colour when making diamonds from ashes or hair because of the nitrogen content. If you prefer to have the diamonds out of ashes in a different colour, the nitrogen can be removed and will leave boron in the composition. This will result in blue diamonds from human ashes. Last but not the least, the diamonds made from ashes can go through an extensive purification process if you would like to have colourless diamonds from ashes.
EXPOSING THE DIAMONDS FROM ASHES TO HPHT
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Informing natural diamonds underground, the carbon is subjected to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). The same thing is done to create diamonds made from human ashes. But instead of geological processes, a special press is used to simulate the environment in which natural diamonds are produced. A diamond seed will be placed in the bottom of the press’s inner core cube. The temperature is set to over 2,000 degrees Celsius and melts the catalyst metal. This molten catalyst metal dissolves the carbon source, is transported to the diamond seed, and crystallized. A raw diamond from ashes is formed.
CUTTING, POLISHING, AND PERSONALIZING THE DIAMONDS FROM ASHES
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A diamond out of ashes is still uncut and raw once brought out of the press. To bring out its true beauty, the diamond from ashes has to be cut and polished. EverDear & Co.’s artisans will place the main facets on the diamonds from ashes and are also known as designing the crosswork. This is necessary to show its best angles, high clarity, and maximum weight.
The facets will be polished after the initial crosswork process. Once the main facets are smoothed, this will be followed by the polishing of the final facets. EverDear & Co. uses advanced techniques and the latest tools to ensure precision and perfection in making diamonds from ashes.
DIAMONDS FROM ASHES AND HAIR ARE THE SAME AS NATURAL DIAMONDS
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Diamonds made from human ashes and hair are just as beautiful and stunning as natural diamonds. Let us take a look at their physical and chemical characteristics.
PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF DIAMONDS FROM ASHES
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The quality of diamonds is determined through 4Cs – colour, carat, cut, and clarity.
DIAMONDS MADE FROM ASHES – COLOURS
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Natural diamond colours are available in blue, green, yellow, red, purple, pink, colourless, gray, brown, and black. The differing colours in these diamonds are due to imperfections or other defects in the crystal structure. Most of these impurities are due to the nitrogen content, but it still depends on the type of diamond to determine whether the nitrogen content has affected the diamond’s colour.
Grading colours are either in the normal colour range or the fancy colour range. Diamonds in the normal colour range include brown to pale yellow diamonds, while vibrant diamond colours are graded in the fancy colour range.
EverDear & Co. offers three colours to choose from. These are yellow (Golden Star), blue (Azure Serenity), and Colourless (Immaculate Soul). The diamonds from ashes cost differs from natural diamonds based on the colour. Colourless natural diamonds are cheaper because they are more common compared to coloured natural diamonds. On the other hand, colourless diamonds from ashes prices are more expensive because of their more intense purifying treatments.
We can assure you that we do not include any additional chemicals in the production process to change the colour of your diamonds from ashes. In this way, you get to own purer and more unique diamonds made from human ashes.
DIAMONDS MADE FROM ASHES – CARAT WEIGHT
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A carat is a unit of measurement for the mass of a gemstone. In the case of diamonds (both natural and diamonds made from human ashes), the greater the amount of carats, the higher the diamonds from ashes cost becomes.
Diamonds from ashes are different in the sense that exact sizes cannot be given. The sizes of diamonds made from ashes or diamonds made from hair depend on the allotted time frame for production.
EverDear& Co.’s carat offerings range from 0.03 carats up to 0.69 carats. For more information, you can browse our website to see the EverDear & Co. carat weight classifications and diamonds made from ashes and hair prices.
DIAMONDS MADE FROM ASHES – TYPE OF CUT
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Cut grading has the following classifications:
Poor/Fair Cut – This cut grading represents the top 35% of the diamonds from ashes cut quality. Diamonds from hair or ashes look dull with this cut grading.
Good Cut – This cut grading represents the top 25% of the diamonds from ashes cut quality. Diamonds from hair or ashes are of good quality although there is not much light reflected in this cut grading.
Very Good Cut – This cut grading represents the top 15% of the diamonds from ashes cut quality. Diamonds from hair or ashes quality is better because it reflects more light than the good cut.
Ideal Cut – This cut grading represents the top 3% of the diamonds from ashes cut quality. This is rare and reflects the lightest among the different cut grading classifications.
Apart from the cut grading, there are also different types of cuts available. These are:
Round Brilliant Cut – This is the most popular and timeless type of cut for diamonds from ashes. This cut with 58 facets reflects the most light. As a result, your diamonds from hair or ashes still retain their brilliance and fire even with the lower carat weight and less vibrant colour. If you are looking for a type of cut that will showcase the brilliance of diamonds made from human ashes or hair, this is the perfect type of cut for you.
Asscher Cut – This type of became popular in the 1920s, the Art Deco era. This is often mistaken as the emerald cut because both have the same large facets and high crown. The difference lies in the shape since asscher cut diamonds have square shapes. Upon closer inspection, these are octagonal because all four sides are cropped. Still, these cropped corners are not easily noticeable.
Cushion Cut – This is also called the pillow cut, and can be either rectangular or square shaped. This type of cut is known for its rounded corners and large facets. Cushion cut is often seen in vintage jewellery.
Emerald Cut – This is one of the most sophisticated types of cuts currently available in the market. The emerald cut has a rectangular shape and makes diamonds larger than they really are. Inclusions are more clearly seen in this type of cut due to its large step facets, so this would be advisable if the diamonds from ashes you have are of high clarity.
Heart Cut – This type of cut is connected with love, and is one of the most challenging cuts to make on a diamond. The heart cut has two rounded edges with a single cleft in the middle. This is preferred on larger diamonds since the shape may not be clearly seen on smaller diamonds.
Marquise Cut – The marquise is the French word for “little boat” since the shape is similar to the hull of a sailboat. Like the emerald cut, the marquise cut can visually enhance the size of diamonds from ashes and makes the fingers look more slender. This type of cut is popular with vintage jewellery, and was even rumored to be specially made for King Louis XIV of France.
Oval Cut – The oval cut was made in the late 1950s, and is a variation on the round brilliant cut. Its elongated shape looks more flattering on the fingers. This cut is often employed in engagement rings. Like the emerald cut, the oval cut enhances the visual size of the diamond.
Pear Cut – This is also referred to as the teardrop diamond or the drop cut because of its single point and rounded end. The pear cut is variation on the round brilliant cut and the marquise cut. Symmetry is an important characteristic if you want your diamonds out of ashes to have this type of cut. This is more commonly used in diamond earrings and rings.
Princess Cut – This cut is known for its square shape with 90-degree corners. This became one of the favorite types of cuts in the United States during the 1980s. Inclusions are not clearly seen in the princess cut because of its special cutting techniques. This type of cut is also more affordable because there is less diamond lost in the cutting stage.
Radiant Cut – This type of cut emerged during the 1970s. It has trimmed corners, and combines the style of a round brilliant cut and an emerald cut. It can be in a square, rectangular shape, or a cross between the two. The radiant cut is prone to intensifying the colour of your diamonds from ashes, and allows you to retain a huge amount of the diamond during the cutting process.
EverDear & Co. offers the round brilliant cut, and our experts advise it because it showcases the best facets of your diamonds from ashes.
DIAMONDS MADE FROM ASHES – CLARITY
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The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) follows a diamond grading scale in six clarity categories. These categories are:
Flawless (FL) – This classification means that inclusions, blemishes, and other imperfections are not visible under 10x magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF) – This classification means that only small blemishes on the diamonds made from hair and ashes are visible under 10x magnification. Inclusions are not visible.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS) – Diamonds from ashes and hair with this classification only contain extremely small inclusions and blemishes that are difficult to see under 10x magnification. This is further divided into two grades – VVS1 and VVS2. VVS1 has higher clarity compared to VVS2.
Very Slightly Included (VS) – Diamonds from hair and ashes with this grade possess minor inclusions which can be either difficult or somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification. Again, this is divided into two grades – VS1 and VS2. VS1 has higher clarity than VS2.
Slightly Included (SI) – The inclusions in diamonds from ashes and hair are easy to see under this classification. This classification is also divided into two categories – SI1 and SI2. SI1 possesses higher clarity than SI2.
Included (I) – Diamonds from ashes and hair in this classification have visible inclusions under the 10x magnification. This classification is divided into three grades – I1, I2, and I3. I1 has the highest clarity among the three, followed by I2. I3 diamonds have large inclusions which can negatively affect the brilliance, scintillation, and durability of the diamonds made from hair and ashes.
EverDear & Co. is known to offer diamonds from hair and ashes with a grade of Very Slightly Included (VS) and Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS). This means that your memorial diamonds have higher clarity compared to other diamonds made from human ashes and hair.
CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF DIAMONDS FROM ASHES
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Carbon content in human ashes is at approximately 18%, and this is the main element present in diamonds made from ashes and hair. Natural diamonds are also made up of carbon on the Earth’s surface, except that natural diamonds are formed through geological processes. This process takes billions of years whereas diamonds from ashes are formed in only a span of months.
DIAMONDS FROM ASHES IN USA AND CANADA
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It must be noted that the diamonds from hair cost is no different from the diamonds from ashes cost. What greatly affects the diamonds from ashes cost in the USA and Canada are the 4Cs in gemstone grading. These are the colour, carat weight, type of cut, and clarity of diamonds made from ashes.
Diamonds from ashes in Canada and the USA are slowly being more accepted due to the rise of memorial services and lack of burial spaces in these respective countries.
CAN WE MAKE JEWELLERY FROM CREMATED ASHES OF LOVED ONES?
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Making jewellery from the ashes of loved ones is possible through EverDear & Co. Jewellery made out of ashes possesses sentimental value unlike the usual pieces of jewellery you see in boutiques.
Wearing jewellery from the ashes of loved ones can bring you comfort and happiness because you know that your loved one is always with you. It helps you cope with the grief you are experiencing upon losing a loved one. This type of jewellery was worn during ancient times, most especially during the time of Queen Victoria. They are also referred to as mourning jewellery.
Rings made from memorial ashes are the most common type of jewellery made from ashes. The round shape of rings made from ashes symbolizes the eternal love and affection we have for our departed loved ones. However, rings made from memorial ashes are not the only type of jewellery made from ashes you can own. You can also opt to have a pair of earrings made from ashes or bracelets made from memorial ashes. We also have pendants and necklaces made from ashes you can choose from.
PEOPLE ARE MORE OPEN TO THE IDEA OF DIAMONDS MADE FROM HUMAN ASHES AND HAIR.
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The idea of making diamonds from ashes started from experiments made by scientists. These diamonds made from human ashes exhibit the same properties, physical characteristics, and chemical aspects just like any natural diamond.
The practice of making diamonds from ashes and hair is also becoming more acceptable in different cultures due to evolving beliefs and other practical reasons.
Diamonds from ashes and hair are accepted by legitimate organizations such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These pieces of information would be exceedingly useful to people who are reluctant to try diamonds from ashes because of their authenticity.
Hopefully, people would see this not only as a way to show our love for jewellery and other precious gemstones but also as a special manner of commemorating the life of our departed loved ones. Now that you are sure of the authenticity of diamonds from ashes and the sentimental value these diamonds have (since they are made from your loved ones’ ashes) you can order from EverDear & Co. to ensure that those special memories will live on.
