Diamond Ashes Jewelry vs Traditional Cremation Jewelry

Memorial jewelry offers families a means of holding a tiny physical memento of the deceased. Nowadays, it may simply mean a pendant with ashes in it, a ring made with an inclusion that has meaning, or jewelry with a stone which is related to the memorial material.

The use of the terms varies and this can be very confusing. For example, diamond ashes jewelry, memorial diamond jewelry, and cremation jewelry diamonds may represent entirely different ways of making the memorial.

Being aware of each method allows you to pick a gift which accurately reflects the significance, character and vision of the wearer.

What Is Diamond Ashes Jewelry?

Diamond memorial jewelry is a special combination of diamond and memorial elements like cremated ashes.

The specific way of creating such a piece varies a bit from a jeweler to jeweler and depends upon the product as well.

Take for example Petals and Keepsakes who has Memorial Diamond Collection where the cremation ashes (inclusions) are fused under the diamond in a controlled environment i.e., laboratory-grown diamond. Their collection is diverse with rings, necklaces, and earrings. The descriptions of the individual items show diamond parameters such as measurements, carat weight, shape, and metal type.

The difference is that creating a cremation ashes diamond is the other concept where one could use ashes to make up the whole diamond. Typically, a cremation diamond is a diamond made from the carbon source that is connected to the cremated ashes. Hence, anyone wanting to make a comparison should first be aware of the way ashes are mixed before placing an order.

Diamonds manufactured in a lab are real diamonds. According to the Gemological Institute of America, lab-made diamonds have almost identical chemical composition, crystal structure and physical properties as natural diamonds while their growth history differs.

What Is Traditional Cremation Jewelry?

Traditional memorial or cremation jewelry often consists of a small piece of jewelry where a small portion of ashes can be kept, or placed directly into the jewelry. It is typically in the form of a pendant, a ring, a bracelet, or any small item which one can carry as a memento.

Certain models have a secret compartment which can be locked and sealed. Others integrate ashes with resin, gemstones, or other adornments for a more aesthetic appeal.

Generally, the goal is practical rather than sentimental; that is, it is much more convenient to have a wearable item containing ashes as compared to only keeping it in an urn.

Memorial jewelry is not only a way of storing ashes, some pieces may include a small piece of another loved one, such as a flower, hair, fur, fabric, or even ashes, depending on the design, as explained by Petals and Keepsakes.

Diamond Ashes Jewelry vs Traditional Cremation Jewelry

The biggest difference is how the memorial material relates to the jewelry.

With a traditional piece, ashes may remain in a small compartment or become part of a resin or gemstone setting. With diamond memorial jewelry, the diamond becomes the visual focus of the piece, while the memorial inclusion is incorporated according to the maker's process.

Here is a simple comparison:

Feature	Diamond Memorial Jewelry	Traditional Cremation Jewelry
Main feature	Diamond and jewelry setting	Pendant, ring, bracelet, or other keepsake
Ashes	Incorporated according to the specific process	Usually placed in a chamber or mixed into a material
Diamond	May be laboratory-grown	May use a gemstone, resin, or no stone
Styles	Rings, necklaces, earrings and other designs	Pendants, rings, bracelets and more
Personalization	Stone, metal and inclusion choices may vary	Shape, engraving and inclusion choices may vary
Processing time	Depends on the jewelry and maker	Depends on the design and maker
Best question to ask	How exactly are the ashes incorporated?	How are the ashes sealed and protected?

How Is the Process Different?

Traditional cremation memorial jewelry usually works this way: the customer picks a jewelry piece, mails a small quantity of cremated remains or some other memorial item, and jewelry is prepared with the ashes or memorial materials.

There is usually a need for extra care for diamond memorial jewelry since there will be attention to the diamond specifications. Buyers can consider the shape, size, color, clarity, and whether the diamond is laboratory-grown or natural.

For example, GIA classifies diamond as primarily carbon mineral and attributes to diamond a Mohs hardness level of 10. Diamonds made in laboratories are almost the same physical properties of the diamonds that come from nature.

In its standard cremation diamond jewelry​ making, Petals and Keepsakes estimates a duration of the work cycle of about 6-8 weeks, even though this time frame can be modified depending on product types and order placements.

What Should You Consider Before Choosing?

1. Ask What Happens to the Ashes

This is one of the most crucial questions. If you have ashes to diamond jewelry, it can vary depending on what happens to the ashes. For example, find out if the ashes are locked inside the jewelry, fused beneath the gemstone, or if they are simply used as a source of carbon during the growth of the diamond.

2. Think about the Meaning Behind the Stone

Some people want to have the symbol of a visible diamond others, however, value more the fact that the remnants actually stay protected within the jewelry.

Ultimately, both of these selections can be deeply personal in nature. A perfect solution can only be chosen by the wearers after they understand what each one stands for.

3. Read Through the Diamond Description

Lab-grown cremation jewelry diamond must provide information about its sources transparently. If they use lab-created diamonds, that means they are just as valuable, but they can be differentiated from the natural ones only by gemologists who are well-informed of this fact in their profession.

 4. Decide On Your Everyday Use

Think if the jewelry is meant for everyday wear or just for special events. A necklace can work for a person who likes more subtle accessories, but a ring or a bracelet would probably be more noticeable.

Deciding on the Memorial Piece that Matches Your Feelings

The diamond memorial jewelry and traditional cremation jewelry both offer similar benefits but the experience could be radically different. The first is centered more on the diamond and its meaning while the other may focus on discreetly storing a small amount of ashes.

The best way would be to move past the product name and focus on the details that matter. Ask yourself questions like: How will the ashes be incorporated into the piece? What type of gemstone will be used? How is the jewelry piece going to be sealed? How long will it take to be delivered? What will happen to the leftover ashes if any?

In the end, it's a memorial keepsake which is entirely personal. What's really important is whether the whole process and the final piece of jewelry are in line with the wearer's perception of what the jewelry is supposed to represent.

For more detailed info, check out Why Memorial Diamond Jewelry Is Worth the Investment

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Diamond Ashes Jewelry the Same as a Cremation Diamond?

No. A diamond memorial piece could even use a lab-made diamond set aside and the ashes mixed or incorporated underneath the stone.

A cremation diamond refers to a diamond created from carbon connected with cremation ashes. You need to check the exact procedure with the jeweler.

Are Laboratory Grown Diamonds Real diamonds?

Yes. As GIA reports, lab-made diamonds have almost the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties of natural diamonds. Their manufacturing method is the main difference and only testing equipment like specialized ones will help identify them.

How Much Ash Is Needed for Memorial Jewelry?

The quantity really depends on the type of the memorial item and the processing that will take place. Several memorial jewelry producers say they can work with a very tiny amount of ashes. To avoid misunderstandings, it is a good idea to double-check the exact requirements with a supplier before submitting ashes or any other materials.

Can ashes be replaced with other substances?

Definitely. Memorial jewelry pieces may, in fact, also have elements of things like flowers, hair, fur, or material. Petals and Keepsakes offer these choices within its range of memorial jewelry.

Can you estimate how long it generally takes to craft memorial jewelry?

The length of time is largely dependent on the design complexity and the artist's speed that provides the product. As of now, Petals and Keepsakes say that it will normally take between 6, 8 weeks for the creation of their manually made commemorative jewelry pieces.