What Is Pet Ashes Jewelry Diamond and How Is It Made?

Losing a pet isn’t just losing an animal, it’s losing a family member, a best friend, and a constant source of unconditional love. Pets become part of our daily routines, our emotional support systems, and our happiest moments. When they’re gone, the emptiness they leave behind can feel overwhelming.

For many pet parents, the biggest question after saying goodbye is how to honor that bond in a way that feels lasting and meaningful. This is where pet ashes jewelry diamonds offer a deeply comforting option. By transforming your pet’s ashes into a real, lab-grown diamond, you can preserve their memory in a form that’s timeless, beautiful, and close to your heart.

What Exactly Is a Pet Ashes Jewelry Diamond?

A pet ashes jewelry diamond (also called a memorial diamond or cremation diamond) is a real, certified diamond created from the carbon found in your pet’s cremated remains or fur. We’re not talking about synthetic stones or glass with ashes sealed inside; this is an actual diamond with the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as diamonds formed naturally in the Earth’s mantle.

The key difference? Instead of taking millions of years and extreme geological conditions, scientists have perfected methods to create these diamonds in specialized laboratories in just a few months.

Why Carbon Matters

Here’s the science made simple: all living beings humans, dogs, cats, birds, even fish, are carbon-based life forms. When your pet is cremated, most carbon escapes as carbon dioxide, but approximately 1-5% remains in the ashes. This precious carbon becomes the foundation for your memorial diamond.

Think of it this way: every cell in your pet’s body, every wag of their tail, every purr, every bark, all of it was built on carbon molecules. By extracting and transforming that carbon into a diamond, you’re creating something that literally came from your pet’s physical essence.

How Are Pet Memorial Diamonds Actually Made? 

Step 1: Carbon Isolation and Purification (2-6 Weeks)

When your pet’s ashes arrive at the laboratory, technicians begin the meticulous process of isolating carbon from all the other elements present in cremated remains things like calcium, phosphates, and various minerals.

This isn’t a simple task. The lab uses advanced chemical processes to:

• Separate carbon from non-carbon elements

• Purify the carbon to extremely high levels (99.99% purity)

• Convert the carbon into graphite, which is the starting material for diamond growth

Pro tip: You typically need about 200 grams (roughly 1 cup) of cremated ashes to create a diamond. If you’re using fur instead of ashes, about 10 grams (a small handful) is usually sufficient because fur contains a higher carbon concentration.

Step 2: The HPHT Process - Where Magic Meets Science (3-9 Months)

Once the carbon is purified, it enters the heart of the operation: HPHT machines (High Pressure High Temperature).

These aren’t your average laboratory equipment. HPHT chambers recreate the same extreme conditions found 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, where natural diamonds form:

• Temperature: 2,100-2,600°F (1,150-1,425°C) hotter than molten lava

• Pressure: 870,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), equivalent to the weight of the Eiffel Tower pressing down on your palm

Inside this chamber, a small diamond “seed crystal” is placed with your pet’s purified carbon. The intense heat and pressure cause carbon atoms to crystallize around this seed, growing layer by layer into a diamond.

The size determines the timeline:

• 0.25 carat diamond: ~3-4 months

• 0.50 carat diamond: ~5-6 months

• 1.00 carat diamond: ~7-9 months

Step 3: Cutting and Polishing (2-4 Weeks)

When the rough diamond emerges from the HPHT machine, it doesn’t look like the sparkling gem you see in jewelry stores. It’s cloudy, irregularly shaped, and needs expert craftsmanship.

Master diamond cutters analyze each stone’s unique characteristics to determine the optimal cut that will maximize brilliance and minimize waste. Popular cuts include:

• Brilliant round - The classic, most sparkly option (57 facets)

• Princess - Modern square shape with incredible fire

• Emerald - Elegant step-cut with vintage appeal

• Heart - Romantic and symbolic

• Asscher - Art deco square with mesmerizing depth

• Uncut/Raw - Natural, organic appearance preserving the diamond’s authentic form

Each facet is precisely cut and polished to exacting standards, transforming the rough stone into a breathtaking gem.

Step 4: Certification and Setting (1-2 Weeks)

Reputable memorial diamond companies provide third-party certification from organizations like:

• GIA (Gemological Institute of America) - The gold standard in diamond grading

• IGI (International Gemological Institute) - Widely recognized certification

• In-house certification – Detailed documentation from the lab

Your diamond can then be set in jewelry of your choice, rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets or kept as a loose stone.

Color Options

Yellow Diamonds (Most Common, Naturally Occurring)

Yellow is the most natural color for memorial diamonds because it’s the default result of the HPHT process. The presence of nitrogen (which naturally occurs in all living beings) creates this warm, golden hue reminiscent of sunshine.

When to choose yellow: If your pet had a bright, cheerful personality, golden fur, or brought warmth and light into your life.

Blue Diamonds (Added Boron)

To create blue diamonds, technicians add trace amounts of boron during the growth process. The result is a stunning sky blue to deep sapphire color.

When to choose blue: For pets who loved water, had blue eyes, or possessed a calm, serene demeanour.

White/Colorless Diamonds (Most Processing)

Creating a colorless diamond requires removing virtually all nitrogen and other trace elements the most technically challenging and expensive option.

When to choose colorless: For elegant, classic memorial pieces or when you want the diamond to match seamlessly with traditional jewelry designs.

Red and Pink Diamonds (Nitrogen + Pressure Treatment)

These rare fancy colors require specific nitrogen concentrations and additional processing steps.

When to choose red/pink: For pets with pink noses, reddish fur, or passionate, loving personalities.

Green Diamonds (Irradiation Treatment)

Green diamonds undergo careful exposure to radiation (completely safe) that alters their crystal structure to create verdant hues.

When to choose green: For pets who loved nature, had green eyes, or brought growth and renewal to your life.

Black Diamonds (Graphite Inclusions)

Black diamonds contain numerous graphite inclusions that give them an opaque, mysterious appearance.

When to choose black: For pets with black coats, strong protective instincts, or sleek, sophisticated personalities.

The Investment: What Does a Pet Memorial Diamond Actually Cost?

Price Ranges by Carat Weight (2026 Average Prices)

Top Pet Memorial Diamond Companies

Blackjack Jewelry – Best for Custom Memorial & Personalized Diamonds

Starting price: $1,200+ (0.10ct, varies by customization)
Timeline: 6–10 months
Certifications: IGI, In-house
Standout feature: Deep customization options for memorial diamonds, including pet ashes and human cremation, with a strong focus on emotional value and craftsmanship

EverDear – Best for Budget-Conscious Families

Starting price: $695 (0.10ct yellow)
Timeline: 4-8 months
Certifications: GIA, IGI, In-house
Standout feature: Lowest pricing in the industry with comprehensive color options

Eterneva – Best Customer Experience

Starting price: $2,999 (0.25ct)
Timeline: 7-11 months
Certifications: IGI
Standout feature: Exceptional communication with video updates and welcome kits

LONITÉ – Premium Swiss Quality

Starting price: $1,400
Timeline: 5-9 months
Certifications: GIA, IGI
Standout feature: Swiss-made prestige with competitive pricing

Heart in Diamond – Fastest Production

Starting price: $2,000
Timeline: 70-120 days (industry fastest!)
Certifications: GIA
Standout feature: Record turnaround time without compromising quality

Conclusion

A memorial diamond is more than just a piece of jewelry—it’s a meaningful way to keep your pet’s love close to you. While grief may soften with time, the bond you shared never fades. Transforming pet ashes into a diamond allows those memories to live on in a form that’s timeless, personal, and enduring. It’s not about holding onto loss, but about honoring love that will always remain.