Questions and answers about ALGORDANZA Memorial Diamonds

Yes, the ALGORDANZA memorial diamond is a real diamond. It has the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamond. In our manufactory in Domat/Ems we simulate the natural development conditions. This is how your ALGORDANZA memorial diamond always grows in an individual and unique way.

According to the ISO International Standard 18323 (2015), the memorial diamond grown at ALGORDANZA corresponds to a “laboratory-grown diamond”.

We believe that losing a beloved animal companion can be just as heartbreaking as losing a family member. Therefore we have partnered with Semper Fides who are animal lovers like us, but have more experience with the loss of a precious pet.

Semper Fides specializes in the production of memorial diamonds made from animal ashes or hair, fur and feathers and works closely with ALGORDANZA in the field of research and development.

Algordanza is happy to take your inquiries about having pet cremation diamonds made, we will connect you with our friends at Semper Fides.

Our service starts at 3,500 CHF in Switzerland for a 0.30 ct rough diamond. The price is determined by the carbon source, size and cut of your memorial diamond.

When an adult is cremated, up to 4 kg of ashes can be produced. For diamond burial, it is not the volume of the ash that matters, but its carbon content. As a rule, 500 grams of ashes are sufficient to ensure the creation of a memorial diamond. For legal reasons, the ashes are divided in Switzerland.

If no burial site is desired, the entire ash volume can be left in the manufacturing process until the ash is completely transformed. Or the remaining ashes that are not to be used for production can either be returned to the funeral home in order to arrange an urn burial in the home town, buried in Switzerland or handed over personally in Domat/Ems.

In special situations, such as the cremation of small children or cremation with a significant excess of oxygen, there may be insufficient carbon in the cremation ashes to successfully grow one or more memorial diamonds. In these cases, after the carbon analysis, we contact the funeral home or the bereaved and find a mutual solution. In these cases, the “Two Sources” option is a good choice.

During the cremation process of the body and coffin, the carbon undergoes a metamorphosis.

The German law stipulates, among other things, a minimum temperature of 650°C in the main combustion chamber, in which the coffin is located. In the downstream chamber, in which the discharged gases are cleaned, a significantly higher temperature of > 850°C prevents the emission of harmful gases. During combustion, much of the carbon escapes as gaseous carbon dioxide. The weight fraction of carbon remaining in the main combustion chamber is generally between 0.5% and 2.5% of the dry incineration ash. This can be proven technologically in appropriately equipped laboratories. At the ALGORDANZA, this carbon is isolated from the ashes using wet chemical methods or pyrolysis and serves as the basis for the subsequent diamond synthesis.

Cremation ashes contain a large number of different chemical elements, metal compounds and also salts.

For both technical and legal reasons, cremation must always take place in a coffin. Therefore, the cremation ashes also contain parts of the coffin, the clothing, the coffin goods as well as any existing implants. A division of the cremation ashes and thus the carbon contained in them according to their origin is not technically possible. It is therefore possible that carbon atoms, for example from the coffin, build themselves into the diamond crystal lattice.

At least 5g of hair is required to transform one or more hair memorial diamonds.

Personal letters, diaries or photos can be used for the additional carbon source of an ALGORDANZA Origin. The personal item should be directly related to the deceased.

With our certificate we confirm the authenticity, size, cut and color of the diamond, as well as the guaranteed production of the diamond from the carbon source given to us.

Yes, multiple memorial diamonds can be made from a carbon source requested by us. Precise information about the possible number of pieces depends on the amount of ashes, hair or the personal item handed over to us and its carbon content. We will be happy to provide you with detailed information after the analysis in our laboratory.

The production takes about 4-8 months from receipt of the urn and receipt of payment. However, the creation of a diamond is a highly complicated process and in some cases, particularly larger memorial diamonds, can take longer. You can rest assured that quality and precision are our top priorities, even if the production time sometimes takes a little longer..

Each ALGORDANZA memorial diamond shines in an individual shade of blue. This reflects the uniqueness of the deceased. The blue color is caused by the element boron, which is found in the cremation ashes and is bound in the diamond lattice of the carbon. The more boron is included in the crystal lattice, the darker the shade of blue shines. When the boron content is low, the color of the diamond becomes light or white. The growth environment we use prevents the incorporation of atmospheric nitrogen atoms into the diamond crystal lattice, which would result in a yellowish tinge to the memorial diamond.

The respectful handling of the cremation ashes left to us and the memorial diamonds that have grown from them is our top priority. The carbon extracted from the cremation ashes is a very complex process and the basis for the growth of your memorial diamond. Many steps of purification and graphitization stand between the cremation ashes and the carbon extracted from them. Sometimes, in addition to the carbon, very small trace elements from the cremation ashes enter the crystal lattice and are therefore also found in the diamond as inclusions. We regard this as a special proof of the individual origin and the personal character of the individual memorial diamond. It’s by no means a flaw. The majority of Algordanza memorial diamonds are at least VS1 quality. However, we cannot guarantee a specific level of quality due to the special origin of the carbon.

Yes. The age of the ashes or hair is not critical to the manufacturing process.

No. Only the carbon source is different, but this does not affect the characteristics or quality of your memorial diamond.