Tomorrows Traditions finally bite the dust, but Bio-Diamonds spring up?

A BBC '3 Counties Radio' program was brought to my attention on Wednesday 22nd February. This was Jonathon Vernon-Smith's mid-day consumer help feature. Apparently he had been investigating a very serious allegation from a lady in France that Tomorrows Traditions had stopped answering 'phones and e-mails and that she (the lady) wanted a refund of monies paid up-front, but most importantly she wanted her husbands ashes back. Over the days, Jonathon had tracked Lisa Barker (the owner of TT) to both a working e-mail and a private 'phone line. So the poo is most definitely flying from the fanned flames.

Now this is all on top of a bizarre e-mail from one of the 'partners' which stated that they (TT) had supplied Memorial Diamonds with NO carbon from a deceased donor. What also became clear was - their supplier was a Russian company, who are now trying to take over from where 'TT' left off.  Bio-Diamonds

In a very specialist niche industry of only 5 memorial diamond lab's in the world, this kind of situation offers more fuel to the existing worries we have gleaned from enquirers over the years. (These are mentioned in our FAQ section) : Are the diamonds REAL : Do we actually use ashes supplied : How much does it cost?.

With over 150 memorial diamonds made, we don't have one customer unhappy with their diamond we made.
As members of the NAFD and also SAIF, we work to an ethical code of practice. We ONLY make memorial diamonds - from carbon extracted from ashes and hair (and umbilical cords).

Some of our diamonds are less and some are more expensive than our competitors, but - honestly - we are NOT profit driven. John Ruskin once reflected -Value v Prices - http://bit.ly/vZst5d

Later on, we will explain about why you cannot make diamonds from DNA or make them cheaply.

Why are Pink Memorial Diamonds our 'Holy Grail'?

So you see, laboratory diamonds in Pink are very expensive (and these are trade prices). $120,000 for 1.37 carat is around £60,000/crt.

We have made Pink diamonds and if we could make them consistantly, we would be still only be charging around £17,500 per carat AND they would be made from carbon extracted from hair or ashes.

The 'Natural' Fancy Intense Pink is around  £28,000

A bizarre confession from a Ex partner of Tomorrows Traditions

I'm going to cut and paste this e-mail unadulterated [dated 14th Jan. 2012]
 Allegedly from [Vincent Neale, Ex partner, Tomorrows Traditions] Checked True.

"Dear Phoenix Diamonds,

For your information I have contacted the Police and a solicitor for advice regarding Tomorrows Traditions.

Please be aware I will be reporting Tomorrows Traditions to the British Jewellers Association and trading standards for mis-selling practices. I will also be reporting them to the Government fraud department for selling a stone which held no personal carbon whatsoever.

I thought this may be very useful information to any future potential customers if they mention the Tomorrows Traditions company.

Kind regards

Vincent"

And they have the audacity to complain about us "Ripping one of their domain names off" 

Kettle, Black comes to mind.

Eternity Crystal - friends we would recommend

we understand just how much you treasure the memory of your loved ones and scattering of their ashes is such a final farewell. Using a patented process of fusing a small amount of the ash into crystal glass, we have developed a unique range of memorial products by which to remember them

When is a "Pink" diamond - not actually 'Pink'???

All is not what it seems (allegedly) .... along with the many bizarre named synthetic gems (which we have to admit SOME are brilliant), the public are now faced with a new phenomena - coated diamonds - these are natural or lower quality man-made diamonds which have been specially coated in ["diamond" (sic)] the colour required (ie Pink, Blue, Red, etc).

But what is the problem? Natural (mined) Pink and Blue diamonds are much more expensive than their white counterparts - in the region of $100,000 to $250,000 per carat. If the subject diamond is 'coated' in the colour, surely the real value is almost the same as its donor diamond, after-all it is simply a coating? OK it may be a "diamond" coating but not through and through - just on the surface.

Our natural colour diamonds are not interfered with in any way, canary yellow is bright yellow and the 'Blues' range between Aqua and Sapphire.

Tomorrows Traditions [TT] complain about our warnings

So, 'TT' have been busy again. Not only do we have to contend with them 'ripping-off' our website name "www. memorial-diamonds.com" by registering (months after us!!) memorialdiamonds.co.uk**.  and also using our name 'Phoenix' in one of their promo's - thereby capitalising on our Google collateral - we now hear they are crying about our warnings about "DiamondAura™". It gets better - We had suspicions years ago that 'Steel Rose' was trying to 'get-in' on our market but suddenly registering the same name** behind our backs, which then falls into the hands of our competition.  Now they are bellyaching about our warning to the public about 'DiamonAura™' - which as the advert shows are not 'diamonds'[sic] and are supplied by STAUER  for £145. They are real sparklers and very good, but not what we make - which are REAL DIAMONDS.  So, any company stupid enough to adopt a name synonymous with FAKE gems is asking for trouble. You can see the full advert at - http://bit.ly/iwrs2y - please be sure to do your research, look for 'Cognac' diamonds - they are usually Russian, then make sure you are buying REAL diamonds made from your ashes by a British company.

New blue memorial diamonds and their 'value'

Although Blue Memorial Diamonds are more expensive than the bright Canary yellow we usually make, 'Blues' have become very popular. Canary coloured diamonds are quite rare in nature and can command £7500 to £35,000 per carat. We make them for £5975 per carat. Natural 'blues' on the other hand can cost between £65,000 to above £150,000 per carat. We make 'blues' for £12,000/crt - so although the bereaved may not wish to sell their 'Memorial Diamonds' they are certainly getting a real bargain.

We were asked on Ch4 TV why we didn't simply make 'Blues' (non-memorial) but as we stated then, we only make 'Memorial Diamonds and there is more to life and death than profit, besides, if we charged what the 'Blues' were actually worth, no-one would be able to afford the last remnant of their loved-one.

Putting ashes into glass crystal

We have been fortunate to gain a license from the patent holder for the installation of ashes inside glass (as seen in our wind-chimes). Now we have our first crystal flower vase with ashes inside the orb at the base. Available in 6 colours the vases will be featured on their own website soon.

One of three fabulous Urns by John Ditchfield

We missed this fabulous urn when we were installing the photo's on the blog. If you wish to see the other two we have commissioned, please fly right down to the bottom of the blog.  This is for sale at £580

DiamondAura?

Now that price should tell you something - we don't make them....

Linking

Submit Express Inc.Search Engine Placement

Two fabulous new 'Blue's

The two lower photo's are off our latest laboratory grown 'Blue's. Each approx' 0.75carat, cut in 58 facet Brilliant. They represent a new stage of development using both ashes and hair as a carbon source from either living or dead 'loved-ones', be they human or pet.

The costs to the customers for these would be in the region of £9000 each. Delivery on 'Blue's is always slightly longer but would be around 5 months.

We realize its still not 'clear or white' but the Jessica is pretty well almost white with a blue hue. This colour can be valued at around $150, 000 in nature. The Jessica Diamond was made for £10,950 in 15 different processes (any of which could have failed).

Diamonds are carbon which is graphite from ashes

GRAPHITE

• Chemistry: C, Elemental Carbon
• Class: Native Elements
• Subclass: Non-metallics
• Group: Carbon
• Uses: for the lead in pencils, as a toughener of steel, in high-strength composites and as a lubricant.
• Specimens

Graphite is a polymorph of the element carbon. diamond is another polymorph. The two share the same chemistry, carbon, but have very different structures and very different properties.

• Diamond is the hardest mineral known to man, Graphite is one of the softest.
• Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.
• Diamond is the ultimate abrasive, Graphite is a very good lubricant.
• Diamond is usually transparent, Graphite is opaque.
• Diamond crystallizes in the Isometric system and graphite crystallizes in the hexagonal system.

Somewhat of a surprise is that at surface temperatures and pressures, Graphite is the stable form of carbon. In fact, all diamonds at or near the surface of the Earth are currently undergoing a transformation into Graphite. This reaction, fortunately, is extremely slow.

All of the differences between graphite and diamond are the result of the difference in their respective structures. Graphite has a sheet like structure where the atoms all lie in a plane and are only weakly bonded to the graphite sheets above and below. Diamond has a framework structure where the carbon atoms are bonded to other carbon atoms in three dimensions as opposed to two in graphite. The carbon-carbon bonds in both minerals are actually quite strong, but it is the application of those bonds that make the difference.

It may seem strange that one of the softest minerals (and a very slippery lubricant) is the high-strength component in composites used to build automobiles, aircraft, and of course golf club shafts. It is the weakly bonded sheets that slide by each other to yield the slipperiness or softness. Yet when those sheets are rolled up into fibers, and those fibers twisted into threads, the true strength of the bonds becomes apparent. The threads are molded into shape, and held in place by a binder (such as an epoxy resin). The resulting composites have some of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any materials (excluding, of course, diamond crystals and carbon nanotubes).

Graphite can only be confused with the mineral molybdenite which is metallic bluish silver in color. However, molybdenite is much denser and has a silver blue streak.

Most graphite is produced through the metamorphism of organic material in rocks. Even coal is occasionally metamorphosed into graphite. Some graphite is found in igneous rocks and also as nodules inside of iron meteorites.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Color is black silver.
• Luster is metallic to dull.
• Transparency crystals are opaque
• Crystal System is hexagonal; 6/m 2/m 2/m
• Crystal Habits include massive lamellar veins and earthy masses. also as scaly granules in metamorphic rocks.
• Hardness is 1 - 2
• Specific Gravity is 2.2 (well below average)
• Cleavage is perfect in one direction.

Dispelling the Myths

Phoenix-Diamonds.com is the only British private company making 'Memorial Diamonds', others are Russian, American & European.

Our head office is at Sunrise House, on the Macclesfield

Industrial Estate, in Cheshire,

We are not agents or connected to any other 'MD' maker

(other than our own Australian agent) - especially LifeGems..

We are supplier members of the NAFD, SAIF & APPCC

The genuine diamonds are laboratory grown using High

Pressure (10,000 tons/sq”) High Heat (1300c) over time

which was perfected in Russia in the 1950's.

Memorial Diamonds are usually made from 100gms ashes

(or 15 gms of hair), sometimes from 500 grams of ashes.

Phoenix made the first diamond in the world from the

umbilical cord of a (at risk) premature baby – Jessica.

Canary Yellow and Blue is a natural colour of 'MD's - not

white, green, pink, red which have to be irradiated.

Natural Blue and White/Blue are extremely difficult to make,

so are expensive and can take a lot longer to grow.

Phoenix genuine diamonds are the least expensive in the

world at £2950 for a ½ carat canary (minimum order). Our

size sales tolerance is +/- 0.05crt (5%) not 9% like 'others'.

'MD's are usually more expensive than mined diamonds.

Hardly any 'MD' is totally flawless and is as unique as the

ashes/hair used.

Phoenix 'MD's cannot be made from DNA (it dies at 300c)

or a few strands of hair (there is not enough carbon)

DiamondAura, diamonette, CZ, Moissanite, Silicon Carbide

are NOT diamonds. There are many fakes and names.

Genuine 'MD's have the exact same characteristics and spec's

as mined diamonds and can be certified (if required).

It takes 13 – 15 weeks to process the 15 stages for Canary

and about 8 months for Blues.

Our smallest diamond worthwhile is 0.25crt, the largest we

can make is around 2.00 carat. The most common 0.75crt.

We ask for only 50% upfront, the balance on delivery. We do

not have-to but prefer to offer 14 days 'cooling off'.

All orders are uniquely numbered and have a separate audit

trail right to the delivery of the diamonds in person.

It is not macabre, bizarre or insensitive to desire such a

lasting memento of a loved one, it is a unique opportunity.

The bereaved genuinely appreciate being informed about

'MD's as a choice – before burial or scattering of ashes.

Although we do not make the jewellery, 'MD's can be

mounted in rings, pendants or just kept safe, and - they will

last forever as an immortal memorial for generations.

Sunrise Diamonds plc and us.........

We would like to assure anyone misinterpreting the coicidences of a common address, that there is NO CONNECTION whatsoever between the Phoenix Group and Sunrise Diamonds plc at Sunrise House. We are a totally independent and privately owned UK company, specializing in the manufacture of 'Memorial Diamonds' (not natural mined diamonds).

Cryomation & Cryomation Diamonds

Today (Thursday 11th Feb) we discovered a new way of being sent into the next world - Cryomation - a greener alternative to Cremation and burial.
Using liquid nitrogen to freeze dry the body, all the water is removed and the remains are scientifically treated.
We are researching offering Cryomation diamonds and will update this post soon.
In the meantime don't hesitate to call us 0870 881 0612 or e-mail from our contacts page http://phoenix-diamonds.com/contact/

In the near future we will develop www.cryomation-diamonds.co.uk

How much are diamonds worth?

http://bit.ly/8xNWMd - will take you to 'Langerman Diamonds Encyclopedia', you may see many references to the different colours of NATURAL diamonds.

Two important colours to us are Yellow (we term them Canary) and Blue - various shades.

You will also see the Pink and Blue are the same 'value' at $100k - $250k per carat. The yellow are mentioned to be around $10,000 - $50,000 per carat.

Please don't compare the prices as our diamonds are made from cremation ashes and hair of the deceased....but it's interesting to see NATURAL colours have a huge colour spread from red to black

Digby the Digger Dog

One of our dog diamonds (there have been a few) a 1.00carat Canary brilliant mounted in a custom ring setting with diamond chips. The ring has been designed by our Ozzie agent - Sue and the diamond has been mae from the ashes of her own 'Digby'

A gentleman's memorial diamond ring

This is out latest 'Memorial Diamond' photo as supplied by a customer. The diamond is a 0.75 carat brilliant cut canary mounted in Welsh Gold - formed from an amalgamation of both wedding rings.

DNA2Diamonds

We honestly don't mind about 'competition', but when a website infers that its diamonds originate the carbon source from the DNA within a strand of hair - whether it be Michael Jackson or Beethoven - we have to comment.

We are reliably informed by the UK Gov. Pathology Dept; that "DNA dies at temperatures above 300c". As most HPHT diamond lab's use temperatures around 1300c (as we do) I fail to see how any DNA can be found. There may well be carbon remnants, but a strand of hair would not contain sufficient amounts as to say that a diamond is that of anyone. The ocean that MJ stepped in probably contains molucules of his carbon, so you may as well use a bucketfull of seawater.

Therefore, the website which calls itself "DNA2Diamonds" probably do make diamonds but not using anyones DNA for the unique carbon source.

The diamond above was made from a 25gms of hair from a horses tail 'The Reverand'

5 British Sterling Silver & Gold pendants.

We are always trying to help customers who may not be able to afford our 'Memorial Diamonds' and to this end we can no supply 'Memorial Jewellery' (hollow-ware) in Sterling Silver and 14crt Gold Vermeil. Our blog for the jewellery is at http://memorial-jewellery.blogspot.com/

This item is a heart pendant at around £150, measuring 19mm x 18mm with an 18" silver chain.

Other similar peices are - Cross, Terdrop, Round and a Cylinder. Also available in Solid 9crt Gold.

The future of memorials??

The picture shows a Japanese family scanninig a QR-Code 2D image installed inside a niche - which automatically loads a photo album, a video of the deceased and access to the family blog on his moble 'phone.

For those of you who can use this technology, the image above will take you to our new micro-site which is good for 'dial-up' modems and old PC's as well as the new iPhone.

Ashes to Diamonds

Well it would seem that we are 'on' for being included in a documatry on channel 4 TV, Friday the 24th of July. The 'First Cut' film by David Brindley shows what people are doing with the loved-one's ashes - including making diamonds [by us].

New Developments from phoenix-diamonds.com: Memorial Windchimes

New Developments from phoenix-diamonds.com: Memorial Windchimes

Memorial Windchimes

Just in time for the National Funeral Exhibition last week (12th June), we completed our trials and the final developments of my invention (back in 1998) for encapsulating ashes into crystal 'icicles' to make a fabulous windchime. Rather than 'rip-off' the patent (like 'ashes-into-glass' have) we asked the holder to issue us with the only license to use that part of the patent.

It took ages to perfect the 'icicles' - which also use waste crystal from 'Dartington' glass works - so we are being 'green').

The wind chimes will be avialable at a cost of £350 for four 'icicles'. The colours available are Violet, Turquoise, Blue, Green, Amber and Cranberry. The wind catcher can be engraved with 'loved-one's details. Delivery about 6 weeks from order.

In a Nutshell.......

We make genuine memorial diamonds using carbon extracted from 'Cremains' or hair. Recently we made the first diamond in the world using the umbilical cord of a baby. Our diamonds are NOT synthetic, faux, Aura, CZ, 'Moissanite' or made of DNA. They can (if required) be certified by the UK Assay Office [AnchorCert].


Diamond sizes range from 0.25 [1/4] carat up to 2.00 carat. Diamond colours : Mainly Canary yellow and 3 free-range shades of Blue. Diamond cuts : We strongly recommend round 'Brilliant' cut - 58 facets. Canary diamonds use 100gms of ashes per carat. The minimum order value for canary is 1x .5crt; or 2x .35crt; or 3x .25crt - this is because the processing is almost the same for any weight of diamond. Costs : Brilliant Canary 1.00crt = £5550, 0.75crt = £4312, 0.5 = £2975 Orders could consist of various sizes, we have made up to 10 at once. Blue's use a more technical process using 500 gms of ashes or 25 grams of hair/crt. Smallest Blue is 0.33carat (=£3625**) largest is 0.8 crt (possibly 1.00 crt). The calculating price for Blue's is £10,950** per carat. The Canary process takes around 13-15 weeks, Blue's can take much longer.
Terms and conditions apply, detailed in plain English on our order form.

HQ : Macclesfield, UK, we trade internationally.

Completely independent group of companies.

ceo : Mike Kelly, based in Manchester, UK.

Call : 0870 881 0612 [int +44 (0) 8708810612].

9.00am - 9.00pm GMT Mon -Sat].

e-mail : info@phoenix-diamonds.com

Website : www.phoenix-diamonds.com

new blog : Memorial Jewellery Blog address = http://memorial-jewellery.blogspot.com/

[**prices Sterling @ February 09 : e&oe]

Value versus Prices

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little.

When you pay too much, you lose a little money...that is all.

When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was supposed to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.....it cannot be done.

If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better”

John Ruskin – Philosopher 1819-1900

New products - Memorial Jewellery

We are pleased to announce that we can now supply Memorial Jewellery. These mementos are manufactured to the highest standards in Solid Silver, Silver with Vermeil (14crt gold heavy plating) and 14 crt solid gold.  A tiny amount of cremation ashes is inserted through an almost invisible filler hole so that a loved one or pet can be with you always.  You can also see our other blog at http://memorial-jewellery.blogspot.com/  where you will also find prices from £150

Memorial Fireworks

Heavens Above Fireworks celebrates the life of a partner, relative or friend. We arrange special fireworks displays amongst which will be a number of fireworks specially modified to incorporate the cremation ashes, allowing for a spectacular memorial event and happier farewell. Go to their website www.heavensabovefireworks.com

Memorial Jewellery (containing ashes)

We have found a new idea for memorial jewellery which some customers may find interesting. Perhaps a diamond made from Cremains is a little too much for some at £2750, but how about a small amount of your 'loved-one' within a gold or silver pendant??......as you can see from the photo, they look like ordinary necklace pendants but each is hollow with a tiny screw stopper. The ashes have to be inserted via a tiny funnel (by us) but we feel it may be interesting to have feed-back from you. Prices??? Please call us - 0870 881 0612, leave a comment or send an e-mail to "info@phoenix-diamonds.com"

Dog rises from the ashes......

Story from 'Your Dog Magazine'©

A dog owner from Essex has had her beloved dog Deefer, a Collie cross Labrador, made into a blue diamond, at a cost of £3,500.

Photographic agent Charlotte Bassett decided to have the keepsake made from his ashes by Phoenix Diamonds, a company that specialises in creating diamonds from the carbon content of ashes and hair.[That's us!!!]

When Phoenix Diamonds CEO Mike Kelly delivered the diamond he said he was sorry that she had lost her 'husband' at such a young age. She replied 'It wasn't my husband's ashes, it was my dog Deefer, as in 'D' for 'Dog'.

The dog, which died aged 14 and a half, was a much loved part of Bassett's family. "He was constantly by my side and was a peacemaker, pushing my children apart, to prevent a fight," she said.

After placing the order, Charlotte waited three months for the gem to arrive and now plans to have the gem mounted on a pendant. For her upcoming wedding the blue coloured stone will provide the colour for the wedding tradition of 'something borrowed, something blue.'

"The jeweller at Hatton Gardens, who is mounting the gem, was stunned that the diamond started out as dog!" she said.

What are coloured diamonds worth?

Bizarre as it may seem, RED diamonds seem to be exceedingly valuable - yet they may be confused with Rubies, Garnet and fake gems.

Our Blues at £10,950 seem good value???? and considering our diamonds are actually made of our a loved-one, partner or pet- very good value in deed.

This is an extraction from the website :- Color Diamond Encyclopedia

Diamond Aura.....give me a break!!!!!!

We have come across various websites purporting to offer "Diamonds"  some of which are also called 'DiamondAura' - we do not believe these are the same as real diamonds and the following comparison chart may help prove this.........
One website offers a "diamond" for about £650 (and offers a second for half that!!!!) and a magazine article offers a whole necklace of 2 carat weight for just £99.............
We rest our case

More about "DiamondAura" (whatever that is?)

We have to make it quite clear, we have nothing but contempt for anyone ripping off our website name simply to capitalise on our earned Google collateral, by using our trading name or suggesting we have anything to do with cheap imitation diamonds like these.
Whatever material they do sell - it is a published fact "DiamondAura" can be bought from STAUER in the UK and the US for peanuts. It should also be noted that these stones should not plunged into hot water for fear of cracking!!!! and jewellers cannot heat them above 300c - BIZARRE.
Even IF we could make this material - we would not, for we only make REAL DIAMONDS.
Watch this space.............

Diamond Comparison Table

We have been asked what is the difference between our REAL diamonds and 'simulants' or 'synthetic' diamonds, so here is a chart...........and we will also show you the chart for "DiamondAura" to prove it is not a diamond.....

How much do ashes and hair weigh?

We've been asked many times 'How much ashes weigh?' for sending and converting into a diamond.
Half an everyday cup would weigh approx' 100 grams.
A heaped tablespoon of ashes weighs around the 35 grams mark.
Half a cupful of hair in a firm ball weighs around 25 grams and is usually sufficient to make a 1 carat canary coloured diamond.

A wonderful welcome from the NAFD

© NAFD : Funeal Director Monthly : Sept. 08 Vol. 91 Issue 09 p45 - reprinted with kind permission.

Phoenix-Diamonds.com is part of a group of Internet trading companies established in 2000 in Macclesfield, Cheshire.
After working as an agent for a major US supplier of laboratory diamonds and becoming disillusioned by the huge prices involved, Mike Kelly began researching the specialist field of man-made memorial diamonds and set up Phoenix-Diamonds once his team could offer increased capacity and a greater range of colours.
The process of creating man-made diamonds has been around since the 1950s, when the Russians perfected the laboratory techniques and the published patent was then secured by GE of America, allegedly beating De Beers by just seven days. The Phoenix Group employs HPHT (high pressure with high heat over time) to create canary coloured diamonds, but adopts a slightly different process for its new blue range. It also manufactures blue/white, amber, green and red diamonds, although pink eludes it – for the time being.
Mike believes the UK’s funeral profession could become a bigger driving force behind the development of the memorial diamonds industry. He realises that funeral directors may not be looking to offer yet another fairly expensive service, but remains convinced that memorial diamonds are a perfect way to immortalise a loved one. Also, as valuable diamonds in their own right – they possess the same characteristics as mined diamonds and are cut and polished to be set as a pendant or ring – they can be passed down the generations.
“With so few genuine memorial diamond makers in the world, we feel sure that bereaved families would welcome information on the services available before they bury or scatter their relative’s ashes and the opportunity is lost forever,” he says.
“We wanted to join the NAFD to develop relationships with funeral directors, especially since they often play a key role. Even if the deceased is to be buried, creating a memorial diamond from the remains is still feasible because our technicians can use hair and nails, both of which are rich sources of carbon. However, they require very delicate handling and there is only a small window – between viewing and burial – in which to take the necessary action.”
Mike is keen to dispel any confusion regarding genuine memorial diamonds and fakes and says laboratories that offer certification (either by the GIA or the UK Assay Office) are sure to be creating real diamonds. He also suggests that, since DNA dies at a low temperature and there is unlikely to be sufficient carbon in a single hair strand, it would be difficult to create a true memorial diamond. Synthetics like CZ (cubic zirconium) and Moissanite (silicon carbide) are cheaper to manufacture but their quality and value simply does not compare.
Phoenix Group’s technicians have now perfected a means of extracting carbon from a baby’s umbilical cord, which has prompted Celebration-diamonds.com.
For further information visit www.phoenix-diamonds.com or contact Mike Kelly on 0870 881 0612 or email sales@phoenix-diamonds.com

Two very recent examples of memorial diamonds set in new rings, both of which were once original partners rings

The worlds first diamond from an umbilical cord

Having made dozens of 'Memorial Diamonds', I was chatting idly to my laboratory technicians about 'what else can we make diamonds out of'? Apart from the ashes and hair, the lads suggested both hoof and horn but surprisingly the umbilical cord of a baby, which apparently is rich in basic carbon and may be able to be used.
With this in mind, I spoke to the editor of Funeral Service Times who was willing to write a feature story mentioning this idea and a request for a potential donor.
Not only did I receive a call from a potential donor - a funeral director whose wife had suffered neo-natal deaths in the past and who was now pregnant again - it turned out that his practice had actually cremated all of my Aunties, Uncles and Grand Parents over the past years. We agreed to keep in touch.
Almost on the due date, he called to say his wife was possibly in labour and being cared for at Hope Hospital, in Manchester adding - "what should I do with the cord if I can get it"?. Being a first for all of us, I suggested he get the nurses to put it straight in their deep-freeze - ready for a collection once I had been in touch with our lab'. We all laugh now, but the best at the time was a 'TupperWare' box............
Jessica was delivered on the 27th of January 2008 at just 4 lbs 11ozs - thankfully alive and well - though the situation was very delicate to say the least!!!
We collected the frozen cord and kept it frozen for a while whilst taking advise from the lab'. It was eventually treated [sorry, can't disclose how] to become pure carbon. The lab' then used this carbon in our usual process when making blue diamonds - though with this 'world first' we all had to take extra special care.
The HHHP process we use, runs under a pressure around 10,000 tons per square inch at temperatures of 1300c for a calculated long period of weeks - almost under constant supervision. Eventually the raw crystal emerged and the cutter with many years experience chose the clearest section from which to cut the biggest clear diamond possible. After polishing we now have a 0.5 carat Aqua Blue brilliant cut diamond which was almost flawless, icy blue and very clear.
During this lengthy wait, we were all under 'tenter hooks' as so much could have gone wrong, but thankfully all has turned out well. The donors called to ask if we could name the diamond - and so we have - The Jessica Diamond, first in the world..
Costs?? Disregarding the initial development, we calculate we may be able to make more diamonds, probably around 1/2 carat in weight for between £5000-£7500, however, we will not be able to predict the exact size or the exact colour blue until we have made a few more.
Mike Kelly, ceo : Amended : 23rd June 2008

Hope to see you there.............

We hope to you in Newcastle 7th - 9th of July

We would like to help a dear friend.......

For private sale at £4400

Although we do not deal in natural diamonds, we have a dear friend who we would like to help sell a beautiful 1 carat radiant cut diamond set in a 9.7 grams of platinum. The finger hole is 10.65mm and would make an ideal engagement ring or present.

The ring comes with a case, certificate and report and a purchase reciept for £5400. The almost square cut white diamond measures 5.4 x 5.25 mm with clarity SI1 in a 4 claw setting.

There is a saving of at least £1000

Radio 4 - You and Yours feature in "synthetic diamonds"

Just to put the record straight.  Of the three laboratories mentioned in the Radio 4 program (You and Yours, Monday, 26th May) only LifeGem make 'memorial diamonds'  the other two Gemesis and Apollo do not (allegedly).  

Phoenix Diamonds are UK based and one of three others in the whole world who only make 'Memorial Diamonds' but we are not connected in any way to any of those mentioned.

The program also refers to lab' created diamonds as "synthetic", this word infers in some ways that they are inferior to natural mined diamonds - our diamonds are real diamonds and can be certified by 'AnchorCert' the Birmingham Assay Office.  

Terminology is a huge tin of worms and is being highly disputed all around the world as what to call 'created', 'man-made' or 'lab-grown' diamonds.  De-Beers have always been derogatory towards 'created' diamonds  though strangely enough were beaten to the patents by just 7 days against General Electric who won in them in the 50's (allegedly).  

It also may be true that gems can be grown in just "4 days" - probably in a factory production line process, but we have a very labour and technically intensive scientific process just to prepare the carbon for the same HTHP process in a single unique diamond production.

The Deefer Diamond

Fabulous memories immortalized forever?
This blue diamond was made from the ashes of a much loved mutt rescued from the Battersea Dogs Home.
Deefer was 14 and a half, a Collie cross Labrador

0.31 carat brilliant cut London Blue Diamond

More diamonds from the lab'

Can we make diamonds from DNA?

We have been asked "Can we make a diamond from DNA extracted from hair".

The short and blunt answer is "NO". As far as our chemists are concerned  "DNA is destroyed at 600 degrees centigrade" and I personally know for sure that DNA prep' equipment is regularly cleaned with both bleach and gas flames to remove all traces.    

It is certainly possible to make a diamond from hair, but to make a diamond from one or two strands of hair (the carbon residue that is) would result in a diamond containing almost minute proportions of the hair as to be indistinct from any other carbon source - even a pencil lead.

If any scientist or DNA expert can tell us otherwise, we would be interested to hear from you.

Can we supply a raw diamond made from ashes?

We've been asked a few times if we can supply the raw diamond crystal made from the ashes of a loved-one,  well we could I suppose, but what would be the point? The idea of cutting and polishing diamonds is to capture the flashes of fire, the scintillation of light which diamonds do so well. You may as well encapsulate your ashes into glass, it would be cheaper and probably more suited. So I think we have to decline from even going there, after all 'fancy' diamonds arre so valuable in any case, it would be a shame to make a diamond out of a loved-one and then present it a just a rough crystal. Better to cut and polish it to allow it to shine and last forever. 

Marriage of partners, a pair of identical gems.

Thinking of a 'Civil Partnership'?  

Bought the rings yet?? 

Our new website www.celebration-diamonds.com offers to blend/combine/marry two amounts of beard trimmings or hair, extract the carbon and make two absolutely identical 0.75 carat (6mm round) 'Brilliant' cut canary diamonds, to be mounted in identical gold bands.

Call 0870 881 0612 

or e-mail ceomail@phoenix-diamonds.com

Sherry Jewellery, Lincolnshire

We are pleased to offer Sherry Jewellery in Lincolnshire, as independent designers for bespoke commissions, Ruth and Chris' are experts at settings which not only secure the irreplaceable memorial diamonds, but also show them off to their full fire and sparkle.
They can be contacted on 01526 834411 or via e-mail at info@sherryjewellery.co.uk you could also see their wares on their own website www.sherryjewellery.co.uk

Brilliant cut canary

On beauty from a recent batch made from 'Cremains. Brilliant cut with 58 facets. The cut used gets the best light return and offers scintillation which cannot be surpassed.

New diamonds from the lab'

This is a 1 carat canary yellow real diamond made from 'Cremains - just 100 grams, however it took 10,000 tons per sq.inch and 1300c for a few weeks. Then from the 3 carat crystal it was cut in the ubiquitous 'brilliant' cut (which has 58 facets) - not too deep and not too shallow to allow the light to pass in and straight out but split into all the colours of the rainbow.
Sorry about the quality of the video - blame Blooger