Pet cremation or aquamation: can both become a memorial diamond?
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When a pet dies, one of the first decisions is how they'll be cared for afterwards. Alongside traditional cremation, more Australian vets and pet crematoriums now offer aquamation, and many families aren't sure how the two differ, or whether the choice affects what they can do with the remains.
If you're thinking about a memorial diamond, the good news is simple: remains from both pet cremation and pet aquamation can be made into a memorial diamond. There's one practical difference, which we explain below.
What is pet cremation?
Cremation uses intense heat to reduce the body to bone fragments, which are then processed into the fine, grey powder most people know as ashes. It's the most familiar option and is offered by pet crematoriums across Australia, usually arranged through your vet.
You'll usually be offered an individual (private) cremation, where your pet is cremated alone and their ashes are returned to you, or a communal cremation, where several pets are cremated together and ashes aren't returned. For a memorial diamond, you'll need an individual cremation, so the remains are only your pet's.
What is pet aquamation?
Aquamation, also called alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, uses water, an alkaline solution and gentle heat instead of flame. Over several hours, the process breaks down the soft tissue, leaving the bones, which are dried and processed into a fine powder, just as with cremation.
Many families choose it because it's often described as a gentler, lower-emission alternative to flame cremation. Aquamation remains tend to be whiter and finer than cremated ashes, and there's often a little more of them.
As with cremation, ask for an individual aquamation so that the remains returned to you are only your pet's.
Can aquamation remains become a diamond?
Yes. A memorial diamond is grown from carbon, and both cremated ashes and aquamation remains contain carbon that can be extracted and purified.
The one difference is quantity. Aquamation removes more of the body's carbon than cremation does, so the remains contain less of it. That means we need about twice as much aquamation material as we would cremated ashes to grow a diamond. For most pets, that's still only a small part of what's returned to you.
Everything else is the same: the process, the time it takes, the diamond itself and the price.
Cremation and aquamation side by side
|
Pet cremation |
Pet aquamation |
|---|---|---|
Method |
Intense heat |
Water, alkali and gentle heat |
What's returned |
Grey, slightly coarser ashes |
Whiter, finer remains, often a little more |
Can become a memorial diamond? |
Yes |
Yes |
Amount we need |
A small amount |
About twice as much as cremated ashes |
Time to make the diamond |
About 3 months (colourless), about 5 months (coloured) |
About 3 months (colourless), about 5 months (coloured) |
Price |
From $1,490 |
From $1,490 |
What if my pet was very small?
Smaller pets, such as cats, small dogs, rabbits and birds, return fewer remains, and with aquamation, needing twice the amount can matter. If you're unsure whether you have enough, get in touch before you send anything, and we'll talk through your options. Your pet's fur may also be an option, as fur can be used to make a memorial diamond too.
If your pet hasn't been cremated or aquamated yet, it's worth keeping some fur. A small clipping from a brush or a favourite spot is enough to keep, just in case.
Questions to ask your vet or pet crematorium
- Is the cremation or aquamation individual, so only my pet's remains are returned?
- How long until the remains are returned to me?
- Can I keep some of my pet's fur before the process?
- What container will the remains come back in?
Frequently asked questions
Is a diamond made from aquamation remains any different?
No. Once the carbon is extracted and purified, the diamond is grown, cut and polished in exactly the same way. It's a real diamond, with the same hardness and sparkle. See are memorial diamonds real diamonds?
Does a diamond from aquamation remains cost more?
No. The price depends only on the size and colour of the diamond you choose. Prices start at $1,490 including GST, and you can see every size on our pricing page.
How long does it take?
About 3 months for a colourless diamond, or about 5 months for a coloured diamond, from when we receive the remains, whether they come from cremation or aquamation.
Can I get the diamond independently graded?
Yes. IGI grading is available as an optional extra for $199 including GST, on diamonds from 0.2ct.
My pet was cremated years ago. Can I still make a diamond?
Please contact us and tell us a little about the remains, and we'll let you know.
Whenever you're ready
Whether your pet was cremated or aquamated, there's no rush to decide. For more on the whole process, read our guide to pet memorial diamonds, or see what different diamond sizes look like.
When it feels right, our Welcome Kit is the gentle first step. It's $99, refundable, and deducted when you place your diamond order, and includes everything you need to send your pet's remains to us safely. Just let us know if they're from aquamation, so we can confirm you're sending enough.