AisleDash

Diamonds and weddings. Diamonds, with their brilliance, durability and beauty are almost synonymous with love and commitment. Diamonds are formed from carbon, of course. Dark, coarse, unglittering carbon. Most things on earth are carbon-based. Including ourselves.

Which means that it is possible to make a diamond from the ashes of a loved one. Really. LifeGem extracts the carbon from hair (originally they used the ashes from cremation) applies heat and pressure, and, in 24 weeks (more for blue diamonds) creates a diamond. A diamond of beauty, rich with history and significance. Set in recycled gold, you have a planet-friendly ring of immense personal significance.

And before you all race from your computers squealing in disgust, consider this: if you can scatter gramma's ashes over her beloved rose garden, or keep grampa in an urn on the mantlepiece, why couldn't you take those ashes instead, and have them turned into a glittering diamond pendant that you could wear next to your heart? Or, perhaps, a ring to symbolize the love that preceded and nourished us, as well as the new love that will carry us forward?