When a loved one dies, we embark on a unique healing journey. Each of us processes death differently, and each of us will find comfort in distinct ways. The methods we use to honor our incredible loved ones’ memories and legacies are specific to the remarkable bond we shared.
Mourning and memorial traditions have changed drastically over the centuries. In Victorian times, men would wear black coats and breeches to display their grief, and male members of the military would wear a black armband as a sign of mourning. Although society moved away from mourning attire after World War II, men have still found ways to honor their remarkable loved ones’ impacts and legacies.
Men often seek active ways to process loss, such as creating scholarship funds in their loved one’s name, building memorial gardens, or volunteering at their loved one’s favorite charity. However, some men may prefer a portable memorial that they can carry with them through their lives as a daily reminder of their incredible relationship with their loved ones.
As men’s jewelry becomes more popular than ever, the creation of a cremation diamond is an opportunity to craft a personalized, wearable memorial that reflects the beauty of the bond we share with the people we love.
How Do You Make a Cremation Diamond?
The creation of a cremation diamond is an incredible process. Through each step of the seven-stage process, you are presented with opportunities to share memories of your remarkable loved ones and continue along your healing journey.
It’s of the utmost importance for this process to be transparent every step of the way for the comfort of those who are entrusting their loved one’s ashes to the scientists and experts who are creating their jewel. Understanding the diamond creation process helps us be completely comfortable knowing our loved one’s remains are being treated with respect and dignity.
How Does Cremation Work?
To create a cremation diamond, our loved ones must first be cremated. This is one of the most common post-life services in the death care industry, surpassing even earthen burial.
Cremation is convenient for surviving loved ones and can often be a more cost-effective method of post-life treatments. When a person is cremated, their remains are placed inside a specialized oven called a retort and exposed to extreme heat.
In the case of flame-based cremation, this incredible heat does the work of breaking down the organic material of the body. The human body is mostly composed of water, so a large portion of these remains will evaporate or sublimate. This leaves behind four to six pounds of bones that are processed into what is commonly known as human ashes.
In liquid-based cremation — also known as aquamation or green cremation — the body is submerged in an alkaline solution that acts as a catalyst for the natural process of emulsification. The chemical reaction at work in aquamation is known as alkaline hydrolysis, as the alkaline solution breaks down organic material.
The end result of aquamation is the same as that of flame-based cremation. Once the bones are collected, they are also processed into human ashes.
At this point, the human ashes are typically placed in an urn and given to surviving loved ones to determine these ashes’ final resting place.
How Are Diamonds Created?
If these surviving friends and family members decide to transform their loved one's ashes into a cremation diamond, the first step is to extract carbon from human ash. This carbon is then taken to a lab where it is placed under extreme heat and pressure.
Diamonds naturally form in the Earth’s mantle a hundred miles beneath the surface of the earth. At this incredible depth, carbon is exposed to the same extreme heat and pressure your loved one’s carbon experiences in a lab. These two specific conditions cause the carbon to take on specific bonding characteristics and arrange themselves in what is known as an infinite lattice.
This creates one of the hardest naturally occurring substances in the world and one of the most sought-after gemstones: the diamond.
Since a diamond is the result of pure carbon put under intense pressure and heat, when carbon from human ash is exposed to similar conditions in a lab, it creates an authentic diamond. Once grown, this diamond is cut to the shape of choice and can be set in a variety of jewelry pieces.
These diamonds are graded by IGI, one of the top diamond graders in the country. This not only ensures that you know the worth of your cremation diamond but also that it’s of the highest quality.
A cremation diamond is one of the most truly eternal ways to create a memorial for a loved one that will last through the generations.
Best Kinds of Cremation Jewelry for Men
When it comes to choosing what kind of cremation jewelry for men is best, we often consider a couple of different factors, the first being the diamond’s shape. Throughout the process of creating a cremation diamond, you will have access to professionals who can help you decide which cuts will best suit the kind of jewelry you want to create.
Here are a few of our favorite cremation jewelry options for men featuring a memorial diamond.
Cufflinks
Cufflinks are a wonderful opportunity to take your loved one with you at life’s most special occasions. Whether you’re attending a black-tie event or a family wedding, this physical reminder of the love you shared can help keep their memory alive.
If you choose cufflinks, a square-cut diamond will be especially flattering.
A Watch Band
Another popular choice is to have a diamond fastened to a watch or watch band. This is a piece of jewelry you can wear every day, no matter where you roam. Wherever you check the time, you can be reminded of how sacred your time really is and how lucky you were to spend so much time with your incredible loved one.
For watch bands, we recommend an emerald, opal, or square cut diamond.
Earrings or Necklaces
Men’s earrings and necklaces are a popular choice for jewelry, and they offer a variety of personalization options including cut and base metal. For men, the classic diamond stud is a popular choice for both an earring or a necklace. These statement jewelry pieces will provide an opportunity to share your loved one’s story with anyone who compliments you on your stunning diamond.
Grief Is a Long Journey
Grief is a long process, and creating a portable memorial can help you come to a point where you can find joy in celebrating your loved one’s remarkable life. When creating a piece of jewelry that honors your loved one, it helps to consider their preferences and your own. You’ll want to design a piece that you are excited to wear every day that also reminds you of the special bond you share with your loved one.
One of the most empowering aspects of creating memorial jewelry along this journey is that it can help us think about our grief in a more controlled way. This can look like wearing jewelry on special events like anniversaries or birthdays when your loved one’s absence is felt the most intensely.
Keeping the memory of those we loved close by is a big part of learning how to live without their physical presence. Memorial jewelry is a reminder that their spirit and memory will live on with us forever, and it’s something that we can pass down through generations, keeping our love and connection alive for centuries to come.
Honor Your Loved Ones Every Day
There is no wrong decision when it comes to the creation of cremation jewelry. These beautiful cremation diamonds represent someone who loved you deeply, and they are happy that you are keeping their memory so close to your heart. Follow your instincts as you create a piece of jewelry that honors your needs and the memories of your incredible loved ones.
Source
History of Cremation | How Stuff Works
