In modern times, there are more choices for burials are available than most people realise. However, one particular method of burial stands out for its simplicity, beauty and meaningfulness - Memorial Diamonds. It's an immensely personal choice and a diamond burial is a method chosen by many around the world including families from, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong and more recently China. This guide will provide everything you need to know about Algordanza memorial diamonds so that you and your family can decide whether a memorial diamond is right for you.
It's a new form of burial that transcends the traditional practise of storing human remains in the ground or kept in a storage facility far away from our lives. Physically, a memorial diamond is simply a diamond constructed of the carbon atoms of your loved one. Carbon is a primary component of all known life on Earth, representing approximately 45–50% of all dry biomass. Carbon compounds occur naturally in great abundance on Earth and in humans. Carbon is present in human ashes and Algordanza has developed a proprietary methodology to extract it, and transform the carbon to a unique diamond structure. The resulting diamond can be kept in its Raw form or cut to a preferred shape and set in jewellery.
During the cremation process, the carbon goes through a metamorphosis. E.g. the German law stipulates a minimum temperature of 650 °C in the main combustion chamber in which the coffin is located. In the following downstream chamber, the significantly raised temperature of >850 °C prevents the emission of harmful gaseous emissions. During cremation, a large part of the carbon escapes as gaseous carbon dioxide. The proportion by weight of the carbon remaining in the main combustion chamber is generally between 0.5% and 2.5% of the dry cremation ash. The carbon is isolated from the ash by a wet-chemical process or pyrolysis and serves as the basis for the later diamond synthesis.
Human memorial diamonds can be any colour from white or clear to deep blue. The blue comes from the natural boron content of the ashes, and the colour depends purely on that boron content. We never add colour or change it artificially.
Beautiful everlasting memorial diamonds are created in our laboratory in Domat/Ems, Switzerland. The ashes are delivered to our laboratory, where our trained technicians begin the carbon extraction process. This process is done individually, as is the subsequent synthesis of the diamond. This ensures that there is no chance for mixups.
Once the carbon is extracted from the ashes, it is further refined into graphite and purified before being placed in a diamond growth cell to complete the transformation to diamond. The procedure is complicated and time consuming, but the results are always a treat. Once the raw diamond has been yielded, it may go to a cut and polish stage (for cut diamonds) before laser marking and certification. Finally, the diamond is shipped back to Hong Kong with its certificate, ready for you to collect at our North Point showroom by appointment.
Algordanza is proud to have it's production process featured on news channels such as:
In Hong Kong, ordering a memorial diamond is simple. Once you place an order, our staff can collect the ashes from the funeral home free of charge. You just need to:
Book a free consultation.
Algordanza is proud to have been in service since 2004 (over 20 years), serving families in over 30 countries. Families from Hong Kong, Japan and mainland China have visited our Swiss laboratory and met our founders. The laboratory is open to client visits. Once you have placed an order, you can ask our team to arrange a visit.
Every Algordanza memorial diamond is made in Switzerland from the carbon in your loved one's ashes or hair, topped up if needed with a cotton or other natural-fibre item you provide. Each diamond has its own reference number, laser-inscribed on the girdle.
All Algordanza memorial diamonds are made in Switzerland. We always recommend our potential clients to conduct some further research into their chosen memorial diamond service providers before committing. Ask questions such as:
We need 500 g of ashes to make a memorial diamond. Our team will advise you on the sizes available for your order.
In Hong Kong, there have been cases when the amount of ashes returned from the crematorium was well below 500 grams. Sometimes, the deceased were children, or very small frame elderly and in other times, family members each took a portion of ashes to apply their burial method of choice. For these situations, when there are fewer than 500 g of ashes, 11 g of your loved one's hair can be used instead or as a top-up. Hair is an excellent source of carbon, and according to analysis by L'oreal it is comprised of up to 45% carbon. If the ashes do not contain enough carbon, it can be topped up with hair, or a garment or plush toy made of cotton or another natural fibre (purely synthetic items can't be used).
Making a memorial diamond takes 4–9 months. The ashes travel to Switzerland in two separate parcels, as a safeguard. One tracking code covers both parcels (1 of 2 and 2 of 2). Each diamond is made individually at every stage, from carbon extraction to growing, cutting and polishing.
We at Algordanza firmly believe that we are not selling a product. Not at any point do we own the ashes and its related carbon. What we are giving back is the original carbon but merely in another chemical structure - carbon in a diamond lattice. We are an authentic memorial diamond service with a mission to commemorate the departed and provide a better burial solution to the world.
For most people, a memorial diamond is a gentle and distinctive way to remember a loved one. It is a personal keepsake that will always be there and have special meaning and purpose. There is no concerns with columbarium land rights to worry about, vandalism or future maintenance fees. Algordanza is a memorial diamond producer and has been featured in many news articles around the world, where some clients have shared their reasons for choosing this method of burial.
In Chinese culture, the family bond is typically very strong. Parents in Asia sacrifice everything to give their children every opportunity in life and it is common for parents and children to spend time with each other well into adulthood, and as time passes, the adult children help to look after their elderly parents. This filial affection extends to when they are gone and a memorial diamond provides an avenue to maintain the life long bond.
For spouses, it can be especially difficult to separate when they once shared every moment together. It is not uncommon for entrepreneurial couples in Hong Kong and China to work with one another and raise children at the same time. When suddenly there is a loss of a soul mate, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. Memorial diamonds have helped many widows and widowers through the process of grief and it has been reported to provide some comfort where there is none. In the case of Freda, who worked together every day with her husband Kennedy, she was able to keep him close and travel to countries to visit his favourite golf course and see his friends after his sudden passing. She said that her memorial diamond gave her the energy to continue to go work and face the time ahead without her partner.
To know whether a memorial diamond burial is the right choice for you, please follow this link.
The answer emphatically is Yes! Increasingly, pets are part of our family too and our loyal furry companions face the same issues with burial as our human counterparts. Semper Fides is a sister branch of Algordanza with a separate lab that treats the ash or coat remains exclusively for animals. For our pet lovers living in apartments, it is always recommended to save at least 11 grams of fur or coat, especially if your breed of pet are small and weigh less than 10 kilograms. This will ensure there is enough carbon to proceed with the memorial diamond creation.
For a pet we need 250 g of ashes, or 11 g of fur if there are fewer ashes. Semper Fides pet diamonds come in yellow or white/blue.
The price of a memorial diamond is dependent on the size (in carats) and the format - RAW (uncut) or CUT (Round Brilliant, Asscher, Princess etc). The price includes shipping: the ashes to Switzerland, and the finished diamond back to Hong Kong. You collect your diamond at our North Point showroom; there is no home delivery.
A memorial diamond is a real lab-grown diamond, made in Switzerland from the carbon of your loved one's ashes or hair. Each one is grown individually, which takes time and care. Our prices reflect the research behind the process, the individual production of each diamond, and the personal consultation we offer every family.
To compare with the other costs of burial in Hong Kong, a comprehensive guide is provided here.
Many Algordanza clients choose to set their memorial diamond in jewellery. This allows them to always be close to their loved one and makes for an ever lasting keep sake that will accompany them through the rest of their life journey. Many elegant designs are available and some have crafted their memorial diamond jewellery into truly exquisite pieces of art. If you would like your diamond set into jewellery, we can refer you to our authorised jeweller in Tsim Sha Tsui; this adds about 2 weeks.
Memorial diamonds can sit nicely on a display shelf or even a bed side table, where some clients have even mounted their memorial diamond into the frame of a photo portrait of their loved one. This is a modern take of the traditional photo on a wall that typically hangs over a shrine. The value a memorial diamond brings can not be understated.
For other clients, it is perfectly fine to keep their memorial diamond in the beautiful wooden box provided by Algordanza where it is still portable and can be taken for travel to places where their loved ones wanted to go, but could not. During times of family gathering, like Ching Ming, Easter, Christmas or even birthdays, it is common for clients to bring their memorial diamonds along to honour and remember their loved ones.
Algordanza clients have found many creative ways to celebrate their memorial diamonds. The possibilities are unique and almost endless. Below are just some of the different jewellery pieces that clients have had made. You discuss the design and sizing directly with the jeweller.
Visit the Algordanza Hong Kong showroom (by appointment only, WhatsApp +852 9227 5020) to learn more about the diamond burial process and see real memorial diamond samples.
