Memorial diamonds from pet ashes: what they cost, how long they take and how much ash they need
A memorial diamond is a lab-grown diamond made with carbon taken from your pet's ashes or fur. Listed prices start around $750 to $995[1] at budget labs and run into the thousands at well-known growers, and most stones take many months, with an average of about 8.5 months[2] across three labs' stated timelines.
By the Cremation Jewelry & Memorial Wearables editorial team · Updated September 24, 2026 · 5 min read · Sources
- Real listed prices from named labs
- Why diamonds need far more ash than a pendant
- What to get in writing before you send anything
How does a lab turn pet ashes into a diamond?
Cremated remains are mostly bone mineral, calcium phosphate (a study of 100 cremations found stature, not weight, best predicts how much is left), with only traces of carbon left after the heat of cremation. A memorial diamond lab separates out that carbon, purifies it into graphite, then puts it into a growing press that recreates the heat and pressure deep inside the earth. Over weeks, carbon atoms settle onto a tiny diamond seed and build a rough crystal.
That rough stone is then cut, polished and usually graded like any other diamond. The result is chemically and physically a real diamond, not glass or a simulant, and in the US the FTC's revised Jewelry Guides cover how lab-grown stones should be described so buyers aren't misled. What makes it a memorial is where the carbon came from, which is why the lab's record keeping matters as much as its cutting skills.
How much ash or fur does a memorial diamond need?
Much more than any pendant. Because so little carbon survives cremation, labs ask for a sizable portion. One US grower asks for about half a cup, ~100 g[3] of cremated remains. A Swiss lab asks for at least 150 g of ashes or, alternatively, 5 g of fur[4]. Hair and fur are rich in carbon, so a small clipping can do the work of a large amount of ash.
For most dogs and cats that's still only part of the ashes. Cremation returns about 3-5% of body weight[5], so a 12 lb cat returns roughly 6.7 oz[6], which is under 200 g. For a cat, rabbit or other small pet, a diamond from ash alone could take most or all of what came back. Our ashes weight estimator shows the likely amount for your pet before you commit.
Free tool
Ashes weight estimator
See roughly how much ash to expect back, by species and body weight.
If your pet is small, ask whether the lab can work from fur instead, or from a mix. If your pet is still with you, a clean clipping from the chest or under the collar, kept in a paper envelope, keeps that option open.
What does a pet memorial diamond cost?
Size, color and the lab's reputation set the price. These are listed prices from named labs, not quotes, so check each one's current page and ask what's included: setting, grading report, insurance and return shipping of unused ash can each be extra.
| Lab or source | Listed price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget competitors (as cited by one US grower) | $750–$995[1] | Entry-level stones; ask about size and color |
| EverDear (US) | from $995[7] colorless | Yellow from $1,195; pink from $2,200 |
| Saint Diamonds (US) | $2,900–$8,500[8] typical | From $999; 4 to 6 months |
| Eterneva (US) | $3,499[9] for 0.25 carat | $15,000 for one carat[10] |
| LONITÉ (Switzerland) | $1,400–$40,500[11] | 0.25 to 3.0 carats |
At the premium end, price rises almost in step with size: by our calculation one lab's stones cost roughly $14,000 to $15,000 per carat[12] whether small or large. To put that in context, the entry-level stone at that lab costs ~27×[13] a typical sterling silver ash pendant. Even the cheapest advertised diamond is ~8×[14] that pendant.
If the budget matters, see our cremation jewelry cost breakdown for every price tier side by side, or add a diamond to the whole farewell in the memorial budget planner.
Would you consider a lab-grown diamond made from your pet's ashes or fur?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Why does a memorial diamond take so long?
Each stage queues behind others: receiving and logging the sample, extracting and purifying carbon, growing the crystal, cutting and grading, then setting. One US grower quotes 7–10 months[15] from submission to delivery. The Swiss lab quotes ~12 months[16], with a 50% deposit to start[16]. Saint Diamonds says 4 to 6 months[8].
If you want something for the first anniversary, order early or plan a simpler piece in the meantime. Many families wear a small chamber pendant or glass bead for the months of waiting. Our article on how long cremation jewelry takes to make compares turnaround across every type.
What should you ask a lab before sending your pet's ashes?
A portion of ash can't be replaced, so treat this like any significant order. A good lab will answer all of these in writing:
- Exactly how much ash or fur do you need, and what happens to any you don't use?
- Is any carbon from other sources added to my pet's carbon during growth?
- How is my sample labeled and kept separate at every step, and can I see that record?
- Will the stone come with an independent grading report, and from which lab?
- What is the total price, including setting, taxes, insurance and shipping both ways?
- What is the deposit, and what happens if I cancel before growth begins?
Our cremation jewelry order checklist covers the custody and shipping side in more detail. In the US, cremated remains can only be mailed through the Postal Service using Priority Mail Express, so ask the lab for its packing instructions before you post anything.
What are the alternatives if a diamond isn't right?
A diamond isn't the only piece with no opening to leak. Fused glass holds a small amount of ash sealed inside, costs a fraction of the price and usually arrives in weeks rather than months. Resin can hold fur as well as ash, so you can still see your pet's own color. Our comparison of ashes in glass versus resin jewelry explains the trade-offs.
Some families do both: a simple piece now and a diamond later, once the first raw months have passed. Browse every option on our services page, or tell us what you're hoping for and we'll email back choices across budgets. Diamond labs are few, so most families post a portion; our local pages explain what's available closer to home, and the poll results show how readers split on whether a diamond is worth the cost and the wait.
A diamond is a long wait for a small stone. Make sure the wait feels like part of remembering, not a gap in it.
Reader polls
What would you choose?
Vote anonymously and see how other readers answered. The results are live counts from people who visit this site, so they show real opinions, not a scientific sample.
Would you consider a lab-grown diamond made from your pet's ashes or fur?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
What would you want inside or on your piece?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
How much would you spend on a memorial item, beyond the cremation itself?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Questions people ask
Is a memorial diamond made only from my pet?
The carbon used to grow the stone should come from your pet's ashes or fur, but labs differ on whether any other carbon is added during growth. Ask directly and get the answer in writing. A reputable lab will also explain how your sample is tracked from arrival to finished stone.
Can a memorial diamond be made from pet fur instead of ashes?
Yes, at some labs. Fur and hair contain much more carbon than cremated remains, so the amount needed is small; one Swiss lab accepts 5 g of fur instead of ashes. This can help when a pet was small, when ashes weren't returned, or when you'd rather not part with much ash.
What color will my pet's memorial diamond be?
Many labs offer colorless, yellow, blue and pink stones. Trace elements affect color, so some labs grow a naturally yellow or blue stone and treat others to change the shade. Colored stones are often cheaper than colorless ones. Ask to see photos of finished stones in the color and size you're considering.
Why are memorial diamonds so much more expensive than lab diamonds in stores?
Commercial lab diamonds are grown in large batches from bought carbon. A memorial stone is a one-off: your pet's carbon must be extracted, purified and grown separately, then tracked through every step. That individual handling, plus smaller production runs, explains most of the difference.
Do I get unused ashes back from a diamond lab?
Policies vary. Some labs return any unused portion, some use the whole sample, and a few return it only on request. Ask before you send anything, and if it matters to you, keep a separate reserve at home rather than mailing everything.
Is a pet memorial diamond worth it?
It depends on what you want to carry and what you can comfortably spend. For some people a stone that will outlast them is exactly right. Others find a glass bead or silver pendant says just as much for a small share of the cost. There's no wrong answer, only the one that fits your budget and your feelings.
Sources and our estimates
- [1] Eterneva says some memorial-diamond competitors advertise stones for as little as $750–$995. Eterneva – Ashes to Diamonds Cost Guide, 2026.
- [2] Memorial diamond production takes about 8.5 months on average across three providers' stated timelines, ranging from 4 to 12 months. Our estimate: mean of midpoints: Eterneva 7–10 (8.5), LONITÉ 12, Saint Diamonds 4–6 (5) = (8.5+12+5)/3. How we calculate.
- [3] Eterneva needs about half a cup (100 g) of a pet's cremated remains to grow a memorial diamond. Eterneva – Pet Ashes to Diamonds, 2026.
- [4] LONITÉ needs at least 150 g (5 oz) of pet ashes, or 5 g of fur, to make a memorial diamond. LONITÉ – Pet cremation diamonds, 2026.
- [5] Embrace notes cremated remains typically weigh about 3-5% of the pet's original body weight. Embrace Pet Insurance - Bury or Cremate Your Dog? Costs, Pros & Cons, 2025.
- [6] A 12 lb cat would be expected to return about 6.7 oz (0.42 lb) of cremated remains. Our estimate: 12 lb x 3.5% x 16 oz/lb. How we calculate.
- [7] EverDear advertises colorless pet memorial diamonds from $995, yellow from $1,195 and pink from $2,200. EverDear – Pet ashes into diamond, 2026.
- [8] Saint Diamonds lists pet memorial diamonds from $999, typically $2,900–$8,500, made over 4–6 months. Saint Diamonds – Pet Ashes to Diamonds Guide, 2026.
- [9] Eterneva prices a 0.25-carat memorial diamond from ashes at $3,499; its range starts at $2,999 for 0.1 carat. Eterneva – Pet Ashes to Diamonds, 2026.
- [10] Eterneva charges $15,000 for a 1-carat memorial diamond and $75,000 for 5 carats. Eterneva – Pet Ashes to Diamonds, 2026.
- [11] LONITÉ, a Swiss lab, prices pet cremation diamonds from about $1,400 to $40,500, for 0.25 to 3.0 carats. LONITÉ – Pet cremation diamonds, 2026.
- [12] Eterneva's memorial diamonds cost roughly $14,000–$15,000 per carat whether small or large. Our estimate: 0.25 ct $3,499 / 0.25 = $13,996/ct; 1 ct $15,000/ct; 5 ct $75,000 / 5 = $15,000/ct. How we calculate.
- [13] The entry-level Eterneva memorial diamond (0.25 ct) costs about 27 times a typical sterling silver ashes pendant. Our estimate: $3,499 / $129 (Urns.com sterling silver median). How we calculate.
- [14] The cheapest advertised memorial diamond costs about 8 times a typical sterling silver ashes pendant. Our estimate: $995 (EverDear colorless from) / $129 (Urns.com sterling silver median). How we calculate.
- [15] Eterneva says a pet memorial diamond takes about 7–10 months from submission to delivery. Eterneva – Pet Ashes to Diamonds, 2026.
- [16] LONITÉ says a pet memorial diamond takes about 12 months, with a 50% deposit to start. LONITÉ – Pet cremation diamonds, 2026.
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