Ashes to Diamonds

Tour Our Lab

The LifeGem diamond production lab located in Chicago, Illinois is not only the most advanced diamond production facility in the United States, it is the only one.

Because of the high demand of LifeGem diamonds, our lab is a very busy place. We are currently only offering tours to order placing clients, educational facilities, or organized groups of 10 or more.

If you are interested in touring our facility, please call 888-610-3394.

LifeGem Creation Process

LifeGem diamonds are created by placing carbon, the primary element of all diamonds, in conditions that recreate the forces of nature. The patented LifeGem®process uses an exact carbon source to create beautiful and meaningful diamonds for you and your family.

Here is how we create your LifeGem diamond...

Step One - Carbon Capture After extensive research and development, we have discovered how to extract the carbon from a lock of hair or existing cremated remains. This process begins with either an amount of hair collected during a routine hair cut, a small portion of the remains from any standard cremation, or both. Feel free to add a lock of your own hair as well to create a unity LifeGem heirloom diamond.

Step Two - Purification Once captured, this carbon is heated to extremely high temperatures under special conditions. This process converts your loved one’s carbon to graphite with unique characteristics and elements that will create your one-of-a-kind LifeGem diamond. Your LifeGem will be like no other in this world.

Step Three - Diamond Creation To create your LifeGem, we now place this graphite in one of our unique diamond presses, which replicate the awesome forces deep within the earth — heat and pressure. The more time in the press, the larger the rough diamond crystal that results.

Step Four - Diamond Certification Finally, our skilled diamond cutters facet your LifeGem diamond(s) according to your wishes, laser etch your unique identifier on the girdle, and certify it for authenticity. All LifeGem diamonds are individually inspected, graded, and identified by world renowned gemologists trained by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The world’s finest jewelers use this same certification process. A diamond that takes millions of years to occur naturally can now be created from the carbon of your loved one in about twenty-four weeks.

How to order your LifeGem diamond.

Ordering your very own LifeGem® diamond, either from a lock of hair, or the ashes of your loved one, is a simple three step process. Begin by calling us at 888-610-3394 to request your free shipping kit. This kit has everything you need to securely send your order to us by US Priority Mail.

1. Print and complete this order form. See below for additional instructions on completing the order form. If you have any questions, please call us, and we'll be happy to walk you through the ordering process.

2. Package your order as stated in the order form, or call us at 888-610-3394 to request your free shipping kit.

3. Take your package to your nearest US Post office, and that's all there is to it! If you would like, you can arrange a visit to our office and take a personal tour of the complete lab and production facility when you place your order.

Instructions for completing your order form and sending in to our office in Chicago, Illinois.

Make sure to add all of your contact information This information keeps you updated as the LifeGem creation process advances. All of your loved one’s information is necessary for your unique identifier.

Select your unique LifeGem diamond(s) Select the size, cut, and color of each LifeGem. Each LifeGem diamond is inscribed with a unique identifier attributed to your family. Optionally, we can add your personalized message. The first 25 letters are $75 and each letter thereafter is only $3.

Sign and date the order form Complete the payment information section, sign and date the authorization line. Only a 50% deposit is required.

Prepare your order for shipping Request our EASY shipping kit for everything you need to return your order securely to our office. When sending ashes, separate out NO MORE THAN 8 ounces (about 1 cup) and tightly secure in the plastic container. Do NOT send all of the ashes. If sending a lock of hair, we need only the amount collected during a routine haircut. If you have less, either option may still apply. Questions? 888-610-3394

Send your package to LifeGem Place the sealed container of the ashes and/or hair in the shipping box along with the completed and signed order form. Send via REGISTERED U.S. MAIL to: LifeGem (Attn: Orders), 836 Arlington Heights Rd. #311, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Then what happens? We immediately assign your unique tracking number to ensure traceability through every step of our process. You will receive a confirmation letter with this tracking number, your username and temporary password. You will be notified via email as your loved one’s carbon proceeds through our process. Upon completion, we will set up your secure delivery date.

Our Guarantee

DeliveryWe always ship your LifeGem diamonds securely and fully insured with FedEx or UPS next day delivery - signature required.

GuaranteeOur business reputation depends on your word-of-mouth recommendations. If you’re not happy, we’re not happy. Because of our customer care, we have the highest rating available from the Better Business Bureau. Not to mention, we have held the A+ rating for the entire 15 plus years we have been in business!

Each certified, high-quality, LifeGem memorial diamond includes an exclusive lifetime guarantee against any and all defects.

This guarantee does not include loss, theft, disappearance, inclusions, or the loss of optical characteristics or breakage due to willful damage to the integrity of your LifeGem created diamond.

LifeGem Order Placement