Manufactory specializing in diamonds made from animal hair or ashes
Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth, where high pressure and high temperatures prevail. To create a memorial diamond from animal hair or ashes, these natural conditions must be replicated at the Semper Fides workshop. Thanks to our proprietary HPHT (High-Pressure-High-Temperature) machines, we have been able to do this for many years. The production of a PUREdiamond at Semper Fides involves several consecutive steps:
Chemical Isolation of Carbon
Oxidic and, where present, metallic components of the cremation ash are removed by wet chemical processing, and the carbon-rich insoluble residue is then isolated through multiple filtrations. The remaining residue typically amounts to a few grams and contains up to 90% carbon.
Graphitization as an important intermediate step
To further increase the purity of the isolated carbon, additional carbon compounds are reduced, metallic impurities are vaporized, and a distinct graphite structure is formed in a vacuum furnace at temperatures exceeding 2,500 °C. Upon completion of this process step, the carbon originally contained in the ash, hair, or fur is now present as graphitized carbon with a purity of approximately 99%.
The Growth Cell
The graphite is then placed into a special system known as the growth cell. This growth cell consists of up to 25 components, all of which are handcrafted by our employees in Domat/Ems. The utmost precision is required during this process, as any deviation could hinder or even prevent diamond growth. Only a carefully crafted growth cell can create the necessary, perfectly isolated environment for the undisturbed growth process of the PUREdiamond.
The Growth Process of an Animal Diamond
After placing the graphitized carbon source in the growth cell, the cell is inserted into the HPHT press and subjected to a pressure of approximately 60,000 bar and a temperature of over 1,400 °C. Under these conditions, which must be maintained constantly, the lattice structure of graphite transforms into that of a diamond over several days. The following applies: the larger the desired PUREdiamond, the longer the growth cell remains in the HPHT machine to allow for extended growth. The size is therefore limited by the amount of carbon available and placed in the growth cell.
Removal and Opening of the Growth Chamber
Once the growth period calculated for the respective diamond size has elapsed, the growth cell is removed from the HPHT press. The growth cell is opened manually, layer by layer. In the process, individual components of the cell are collected, cleaned, and reused in the interest of environmental protection.
A rough diamond has been formed
Embedded within the cell nucleus is the newly formed animal diamond. It has distinct, uniform crystal faces, which is why Semper Fides also refers to it as a rough diamond. After being extracted from the growth cell, the rough diamond is carefully separated from the alloy using acid and then cleaned.
Diamond cutting and polishing?
Upon customer request, the PUREdiamond can be cut into a style such as brilliant, Asscher, or emerald, or delivered as a polished rough diamond. Cutting a diamond is a true art form and is therefore performed exclusively by hand by our long-standing partner in Belgium, who serves as an external expert. If you wish to receive the animal diamond as a rough diamond, Semper Fides employees at our Swiss workshop for diamonds made from animal hair or ashes will simply polish the uneven starting surface of the diamond’s growth.
Laser engraving for security purposes
Every PUREdiamond is laser-engraved. The laser engraving features the Semper Fides logo and the unique reference number assigned to the order. Additionally, a personalized message can be engraved on rough diamonds upon request. The laser engraving is only visible under a microscope at a magnification of at least 30x.
Certification and Inspection
Once the animal diamond has been cut, polished, and engraved, the comprehensive documentation for it is finalized. Every PUREdiamond from Semper Fides thus receives a certificate that provides information about the origin of the carbon, the authenticity of the diamond, and other specific characteristics of the diamond.
Handover of the PUREdiamond
Once your PUREdiamond is ready, you can either pick it up in person at our manufactory in Switzerland, which specializes in creating diamonds from animal hair or ashes, or have it shipped via courier to the pet funeral home or directly to you.