How to Transform Cremated Ashes to Diamonds?
Cremation and its history
There are many different ways in which we can handle the ashes of our loved ones, and one of these is to transform their cremated ashes to diamonds.
But before you can turn the cremains of your loved one into a diamond, cremation has to take place first. In that case, where did the practice of cremation originate? How was it viewed in different places and what are the main reasons for using this type of funeral service? Are there any rules and guidelines to follow on cremation?
Cremation definition and etymology
Cremation is known as the disposal of a dead body through burning, usually done after a funeral.
The word cremation came from the Latin cremationem, and means “to burn” or “consume by fire.” It is an extended form of the root word ker, meaning “heat” or “fire.” The word was first used in the 1620s.
The history of cremation
The earliest record of cremation was in China during the year 8000 BC. A few parts in Greece also applied cremation as a way of disposing of the corpses of their loved ones, although it did not become widespread, and disappeared by 480 BC. Cremation was also the main option after funerals for the Swedish during the Iron Age and Viking Age, but this stopped when Christianity reached their country in 1050 AD.
During the reign of the Roman Empire, cremation was linked to military honors until 1 AD. Because Christian teachings advocate burial is a means of disposing dead bodies, the practice of cremating loved ones was looked down on and disappeared in Europe. It was only used during wars and epidemics. Freemasons and anarchists advocated cremation in the funeral process during the French revolution because of it diminishes the role of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cremation was popular in Asian countries under Buddhist influence such as China and Korea until the year 1300 AD. This was stopped due to the rise of Neo-Confucianism in the 14th century. As a result, burials were brought back.
Modern cremation practices
In the late 1800s, Professor Brunetti of Italy invented the cremation chamber. He presented it at the 1873 World Exposition in Vienna, Austria. This was supported because of hygienic and health concerns. This led to people cremating their loved ones not only in Europe, but also in other continents.
Even Sir Henry Thompson, Queen Victoria’s surgeon, supported cremation. This led to people cremating their loved ones not only in Europe, but also in other continents. He and his colleagues led the Cremation Society of England in 1874. The first two European crematories were opened in Woking, England and Gotha, Germany in 1878. In America, the first modern crematory was built in Pennsylvania by Dr. Julius LeMoyne in 1876.
After that, crematories were consequently built in New York, Cincinatti, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Twenty crematories were opened in 1900, and Dr. Huge Erichsen founded the Cremation Association of America in 1913. It was eventually renamed to the Cremation Association of North America in 1975, and was mainly composed of crematories in the United States of America and Canada.
The US cremation rate has a 50.2% cremation rate in 2016, and is projected to rise up to 51.6% in 2018
In 1999, more than 1,400 crematories exist and almost 600,000 cremations took place in the United States. Last 2016, it was reported that cremation rates have surpassed burial rates in the country with 50.2%.
What is a cremation process like?
The process of cremation is becoming the preferred choice for disposing of a loved one’s remains because it is more affordable and convenient for family members.
Cremation involves the burning of the corpse at high temperature (estimated to be 1,400 up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit) inside large furnaces or cremators in a crematory. The body is placed inside a casket, and kept inside the cremator where it will be burned. The flames are first directed at the torso and will cause the combustion of the casket. The fire will dry up the body, and will tighten, burn, and vaporize tissues. The skin will become waxy, and will lead to discoloration and splitting. The muscles will tighten, and are lastly followed by the calcification of bones.
The average time for cremating a body is about one to three hours. The length of time will depend on corpse’s weight, size, and percentage of body fat. Other factors such as the performance of the cremator, the set temperature, and the casket material can either lengthen or shorten the length of cremation time.
What are cremated ashes made of?
Dry calcium phosphates, along with minor minerals like salts of sodium and potassium, are the main components of ashes from cremation. Elements such as sulfur and carbon are driven off during the cremation process, although there are still traces of carbon that remain in the ashes. The color of human ashes ranges from a light gray to dark gray.
How many ashes do they get after cremation?
The average weight of the cremated ashes of an adult male is six pounds, while the average weight for an adult female would be four pounds of cremated ashes. These cremated ashes represent an estimated 3.5% of a person’s original body mass. On the other hand, it represents 2.5% of the original body mass for children.
The height of the deceased person (not the weight) is the main factor in determining the amount of ashes left after cremation. The gender of the deceased also affects the amount of cremated ashes. The skeletal frames of males are often larger than females, so they tend to leave more cremains behind.
It should be noted that cremains are not only made up of ashes, but also have pulverized bone fragments and some metal objects that may not have been removed before cremating the corpse.
Cremation laws in California, New York, Florida, and Texas
Cremation laws in California
It is not required to have a casket for cremation, although federal law states that the funeral home or crematory should inform you that alternative containers are allowed and that they should make those containers available for you to choose from. These alternative containers may be made of unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or cardboard.
The deceased’s next of kin must sign the “Declaration for Disposition of Cremated Remains.” This is often a part of the services funeral homes in California offer. There is a mandatory waiting time of 24 hours up to 48 hours before the funeral home can proceed with the cremation, but a County Medical Examiner or a Justice of the Peace can waive this.
When dealing with ashes after cremation, California is considered one of the states with the strictest laws in the matter. This state allows the following practices regarding the disposal of cremated human ashes:
Placing the cremated ashes in a mausoleum or columbarium
Burying the cremated ashes in a cemetery
Keeping the cremated ashes at home – In this case, you need to sign a permit stating that the ashes will not be removed from the cremation urn or any other type of container.
Keeping the cremated ashes inside a church or in any other religious establishments, if allowed by local zoning laws
Scattering the cremated ashes in a cemetery, a garden, or any other space allotted for that purpose
Scattering the cremated ashes in any area of the state where it is not prohibited – If you have received permission from a person of authority, the cremation ashes must be removed from the container and scattered so they would not be visible to the public.
Scattering the cremated ashes at sea or any other inland navigable bodies of water, except for lakes and streams – The cremation ashes must be scattered at least 500 miles away from the shore.
Cremation laws in New York
In the case of requiring caskets for cremation, the state laws in New York are similar to the state laws in California. Caskets are not required for cremation, and the bereaved may choose any other suitable container for the purpose.
Cremation will not take place unless the “Cremation Authorization Form” signed by the legal next of kin and a cremation permit issued by the medical examiner will be submitted. The mandatory waiting period of 24 hours before cremation is not applied in this state.
In New York, there are no specific state laws on what you should do or where you should keep cremation ashes. You can keep them at home or in a columbarium, or have them buried. You can scatter your loved one’s cremated ashes in a garden or a private property with the owner’s permission. You can also refer to federal laws to be sure. Avoid scattering the ashes in places such as trails, roads, facilities, and waterways.
Cremation laws in Florida
A casket for cremation is not a requirement in the state of Florida. Any rigid container is accepted to hold the corpse. The funeral home or crematory is required to inform you of other available options on the container for the dead body. These containers may be made of unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or cardboard.
A “Cremation Authorization Form” signed by the next of kin and a cremation permit from the coroner are needed to proceed with the cremation process. There is a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours before cremation can take place. Nevertheless, it often takes three days to finish the paperwork and other arrangements needed. However, the process can be expedited if expressly wished by the bereaved party.
The state of Florida has no specific state laws on what you should do or where you should keep the cremated ashes of your loved one. You can keep them at home or in a columbarium, or have them buried. You can scatter your loved one’s cremated ashes in a garden or a private property with the owner’s permission. You can also refer to federal laws to be sure. Avoid scattering the ashes in places such as trails, roads, facilities, and waterways.
Cremation laws in Texas
Caskets are not mandatory when cremating a corpse. The state laws in Texas are similar to other state laws. Caskets are not required for cremation, and the bereaved may choose any other suitable container for the purpose. However, this may also depend on the crematory or mausoleum. They may follow certain restrictions on the container to be used for cremation.
Cremation is prohibited within 48 hours after death in Texas law. The corpse cannot be cremated immediately without a waiver, and this can only be obtained from the County Medical Examiner or a Justice of Peace. After this waiting period, the next of kin may sign the “Cremation Authorization Form” and the medical examiner can issue the cremation permit so the dead body may be cremated.
The cremated remains of your loved one can be placed in a mausoleum
Texas has no specific state laws on what you should do or where you should keep the cremated ashes of your loved one. You can bury the cremated ashes in a cemetery or keep them at home or in a columbarium or mausoleum. You can scatter your loved one’s cremated ashes in a garden or a private property with the owner’s permission. You can also refer to federal laws to be sure. Avoid scattering the ashes in places such as trails, roads, facilities, and waterways.
What can you do with your ashes?
Storage of cremated ashes
The basic way would be to store the cremated ashes in containers.
Bury the cremated ashes. The cremains of your loved one can be kept inside a cremation urn or any container. This can be buried in a cemetery or in any other preferred location by family members.
Keep the cremated ashes at home or in a columbarium. Your loved one’s cremains can be stored inside a cremation urn and brought to a columbarium. The religious beliefs and practices of the family may affect this decision. Still, there are some families who keep the urn containing the cremated ashes in their own homes. They are more comfortable with having the cremated remains of their departed family members close to them, both for personal and practical reasons.
Scattering of cremated ashes
Your loved one’s ashes may also be scattered in different places. Here are the following:
a garden
a picnic hang-out
a place near the home
a favorite or sacred place
bodies of water
from an airplane
to outer space
Do you need a permit to scatter cremated ashes?
If the cremated ashes will be scattered in a private property, the permission of the land owner/s are required. On the other hand, consent from the local government in that particular area is necessary if you will scatter the ashes in a public property.
The permission of the local authorities is necessary because there are some public places (like beaches, parks, and other natural landmarks) where scattering of cremated ashes is prohibited. Some only allow it upon securing a permit that will allow the scattering of ashes. There are times when you may need the approval of the following agencies:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), and
Your state or County Health Department
It is important to secure the permit of the EPA before scattering the ashes in bodies of water
If you plan to scatter the cremated ashes in bodies of water, the Clean Water Act mandates that these must be scattered at least three nautical miles from land. If the container holding the ashes will not be disposed of easily, it must be disposed of separately. The EPA does not allow the scattering of cremated ashes at beaches and wading pools. The EPA must be notified 30 days before the ashes of your loved one will be scattered.
Creative things to do with cremated ashes
If you want to do something out-of-the-box, here are some suggestions:
Include the cremated ashes in a painting. The cremains can be transformed into a work of art by mixing the ashes with paint. It can be a portrait of the deceased, a beautiful scenery, or abstract art. Family members are given the choice on this matter.
Mix the cremated ashes with tattoo ink. The cremains of your loved one can be mixed with ink and tattooed on you. To avoid unsanitary practices and health complications, make sure that the tattoo artist is qualified to do this type of procedure.
Press the cremated ashes in a vinyl record. For music lovers, pressing the cremains into a vinyl record is another option. You have the opportunity to either choose the songs that will be included in the record, write your own songs (or ask someone to write for you), or make voice messages dedicated to the deceased. The artwork inserted in the vinyl record can be customized as well.
Place the cremated ashes in an hourglass. There are people who have been taken to storing their loved ones’ cremains inside an hourglass. This may not be a reliable way of telling time, but this can mean that you treasure every single moment with that person and that you will always remember the times you spent together.
Ashes into diamond
Infuse the cremated ashes into glass. Your loved one’s cremains can be turned into a glass paperweight, a glass vase, or a piece of stained glass. These works of art will remind you that your loved one has been transformed into something beautiful.
Place the cremated ashes inside a teddy bear. You can get some comfort by hugging your loved one through this option. The cremains are kept in a small container and placed inside a teddy bear of your choice.
Place the cremated ashes in helium balloons. This is a special way of saying goodbye to a departed loved one. The cremains of your loved one will be placed inside helium balloons that will float up into the sky. It will reach a height of five miles where it will crystallize and burst.
Turn the cremated ashes into fireworks. Your loved one’s cremains can become a stunning fireworks display. This will be a memorable experience for families and friends.
Transform the cremated ashes into a tree. The cremated ashes can be transformed into a tree by putting them in biodegradable cremation urns. The soil will be placed above the ashes, and the seed of choice will be planted in there.
Transform the cremated ashes into a reef. The cremated remains can be transformed into a reef. This can be extremely helpful to sea animals since it provides them a habitat that is often destroyed by illegal fishing practices. The cremains will be mixed with concrete and can be personalized by family members and friends left behind.
Place the cremated ashes inside jewelry. The cremated remains of your loved one can be kept inside gemstones. Pendants and rings are most often used to store the cremains.
Turn the cremated ashes to diamonds. Another touching way of celebrating the life of our loved ones is by transforming their cremation ashes to diamonds. These are also known as cremation diamonds or memorial diamonds. Turning your loved one’s cremated ashes to diamonds is a unique way of honoring them. These cremation diamonds can be passed on to children and other relatives. Changing cremation ashes to diamonds can effectively combine style and sentimental value.
From ashes to diamonds: How can you turn cremated human ashes into diamonds?
We are EverDear™, a USA company that transforms cremated ashes to diamonds. We can turn cremation ashes into diamonds in three steps. There are:
Carbon extraction and refinement
Cutting and polishing the diamond from human ashes
Carbon extraction and refinement is the first step in the process of changing cremated ashes to diamonds. The ashes and/or hair of your loved one are exposed to extreme heat in a vacuum environment. Afterwards, another purification process is done by hand to extract the carbon. This is the main element used to make diamonds from cremation ashes and hair.
Placing a diamond seed in the inner core cube of the belt press is the second step in turning cremation ashes to diamonds. This belt press simulates the environment where natural diamonds are created. The cremated ashes are subjected to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). A raw diamond from cremated ashes is formed.
The third and last step in transforming cremated human ashes to diamonds is the cutting and polishing stage. EverDear™’s artisans will place the main facets on our diamonds from cremated ashes after being removed from the belt press. This is also known as the designing of the crosswork. This is necessary to bring out the most beautiful characteristics of diamonds from human ashes. The brilliance and fire of these cremation diamonds are prized by anyone who loves gemstones. We use advanced technology that will make diamonds from cremated ashes extremely similar to natural diamonds.
How many ashes and/or hair do we need to make diamonds?
We normally need 100 grams of cremated ashes to make one diamond. On the other hand, you can send us 2 grams of hair if you prefer to turn hair to diamonds. If you want a combination of ashes and hair to make diamonds, we will require 50 grams of cremated ashes and 1 gram of hair. If you want to order more than one cremation diamond, you have to send more cremated ashes and/or hair.
How much do turn cremated human ashes into diamonds cost?
The cost of turning cremated ashes to diamonds may depend on several factors, mainly your chosen color and carat weight. Most of the time, companies that turn ashes to diamonds price them at ten thousand dollars or more. The cost of ashes to diamonds in the USA and Canada is often lower than their European counterparts. This is because most European cremation diamond producers highlight the luxurious value you get for their products, whereas USA companies that turn cremated ashes to diamonds focus on affordability.
EverDear™’s prices of diamonds from ashes are the cheapest in the market, starting at only $895! We are able to do this because of our cutting-edge technology and direct sales. We do not have any tie-ups with third-party agents and distributors, ensuring you that you do not have to pay commission.
Changing cremated pet ashes to diamonds is possible too
Human family members and friends are not the only ones whose lives we treasure. Our beloved pet animals bring happiness to us too!
With this in mind, EverDear™ can transform pet ashes to diamonds because we want you to remember your pets in the best way possible. We offer three colors that will remind you of your pet – yellow (Golden Star), blue (Azure Serenity), and colorless (Immaculate Soul).
Wearing cremated ashes to diamonds jewelry
There are lots of ways to commemorate the life of your loved one, but making cremation jewelry from ashes is one of the most special. EverDear™ has an array of cremation jewelry designs to choose from that will allow them to be transformed into precious works of art. The designs of our jewelry from ashes are crafted from either platinum or gold.
You can have a precious ring made from the cremated ashes of your loved one
You can also customize the jewelry setting of these cremation diamonds. The bezel setting is often used in lockets and necklaces from ashes, while the pave setting is the go-to for bracelets from cremation ashes. Still, the prong setting is the most popular among all jewelry settings and is frequently used in cremation earrings and rings from cremation ashes. We also have the tension setting which gives an illusion of a floating diamond from cremated ashes, and the halo setting which can make your cremation diamonds look bigger.
The transformation of ashes to diamonds is possible through cremation
The practice of cremation dates back to thousands of years ago, and slowly lessened in number due to changing religious and cultural beliefs. However, the growing health concerns, the invention of the cremation chamber, and an endorsement from a royal surgeon changed the public’s view on this method.
People have come up with numerous ways to honor their loved ones. Apart from the usual burial and storage of cremains, ashes have been turned into trees, paintings, vinyl records, and most especially, diamonds.
Transforming cremated ashes and hair to diamonds brings satisfaction because you have the chance to be with your loved ones whenever you wish. At the same time, they are encapsulated in gemstones that will last forever, just like the love you have for them. You can even have these diamonds from ashes mounted on cremation jewelry of your choice.
To experience this, order from EverDear™ or contact us for more information.
