How does one market this product and service without sounding insane or insensitive? Well, with sentiments like: “Make sure their life is unforgettable”, “Everyday, everywhere, keep their memories alive forever”, “ For a brilliant memory; a brilliant gem.”
There are people who are bought in by this and have turned a part of their loved one into a sparkling man-made jewel. These “Remembrance Diamonds” are growing in popularity in Hong Kong and Canada.
Mother turns deceased son into a gem
A devastated mother, Eva Wu, had kept her boy’s room the same since he passed on early 2011. Her son, Cornald, battled a rare form of cancer but did not make it.
Eva reminisced about her son’s strength in his last days: “He always comforted me. He said ‘Mummy, I know what’s going on. I’m not afraid of dying. I know where I’m going to. I have Jesus in my heart so don’t worry about me’.”
Now, the ashes from the remains of her son has been transformed into a diamond that is set into a cross that she wears around her neck. She shares: “I feel peace. I feel he’s near me. And it’s 100% him. Nothing else but him. And I can recall his smiling face and I can recall his gentle character.”
What is needed for the process?
In order to create this diamond, all is needed is the cremated ashes of your loved one and it can range from USD 3,000 to USD 37,000 depending on the size of the diamond.
In case you’re wondering how much ash is needed, according to Algordanza’s website: “On cremation of an adult human being there will be developed about 2kg of ashes on average. We require at least 500gr of the ashes for the synthesis.”
Some people are interested in knowing how many diamonds can be created from one deceased person’s ashes and how big the diamond can go. Wonder no more—“Out of 1lb ashes, a total of 3 carats can be generated. But accurate specifics can only be made after a detailed analysis of the ashes in our laboratory…we can offer you for the time being a maximum size (weight) of 1.0 carat.”
Sentiments from our readers
One of the messages on Algordanza’s website reads: “Don’t hold on to just your memories, move on together, create new experiences and keep your loved one presently close to your heart.” We think that is an “interesting” concept for a grieving person—to be able to keep their loved one close as a precious gem.
We asked our readers how they felt about this idea and here’s what they said:
Pat: I personally think when someone passed on, we should let them go peacefully, plus we have to let go of them in order to move on. We can hold back other things for memories (necklace, rings, pictures, etc…) but not make them into jewels (after they die) and wear them as ‘memory’.
Nadia: I think it’s creepy, there’s so many other way to worship your love towards them when they’re gone.
El: I would never ever do that. It’s disrespect to the dead. I believe in proper burial and funeral ceremonies
Nic: No, but this seems to have been around for a long time, 8 years or so.
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