Pet memorial diamonds: turning your pet's ashes or fur into a diamond

Yes, you can turn your pet's ashes or fur into a real diamond. A pet memorial diamond is grown in a lab from carbon taken from your dog, cat, horse or other companion, then cut, polished and independently certified. In Australia, prices start from $1,490 for a 0.1 carat stone.

For many people, losing a pet is losing a family member. The grief is real, and so is the wish to keep something of them close. This guide explains how pet memorial diamonds work, whether to use ashes or fur, and what to expect on cost and timing.

What is a pet memorial diamond?

Every living thing is made partly of carbon, and diamonds are pure carbon. A pet memorial diamond is made by extracting the carbon from your pet's ashes or fur, purifying it, and growing it into a diamond using the same high-pressure, high-temperature process that creates other lab-grown diamonds.

The result has the same hardness, sparkle and durability as a mined diamond. It isn't a glass bead or a resin keepsake with ashes suspended inside — it's a diamond, and it will last for generations.

Pet memorial diamonds are made in exactly the same way as human memorial diamonds. The only difference is whose story they carry.

Ashes or fur: which should you use?

Both work. The right choice depends on what you have and what feels right.

• Ashes are the most common choice if your pet has already been cremated. Most cremations of dogs and cats produce more than enough for a diamond.
• Fur or hair is a good option if you'd rather keep the ashes whole, if your pet was buried, or if you want to plan ahead while your pet is still with you. Fur is richer in carbon than ashes, so less material is needed.

The amount needed depends on the diamond size you choose. We'll confirm the exact quantity for your chosen size before you send anything, so you never part with more than necessary. If you're unsure, keep a portion back until we've confirmed.

If your pet's fur was regularly brushed, a saved brush or a clipping from the vet or groomer can be enough. Keep it dry and in a clean sealed bag.

How it works, step by step

1. Order your Welcome Kit. It includes a tin and scoop for ashes or fur, an ID card, and a prepaid return satchel.
2. Send your pet's ashes or fur. Fill the tin, complete the ID card, and post it back. We'll let you know when it arrives.
3. Carbon is extracted and purified. At our partner lab, the carbon is separated from other elements and refined into graphite.
4. The diamond is grown. The graphite is placed under extreme pressure and heat, recreating the conditions that form diamonds deep in the earth.
5. Cut, polished and certified. The rough diamond is cut into a round brilliant and independently graded by IGI.
6. Returned to you. Your diamond comes home by insured post with its IGI report.

Each pet's material is tracked under its own ID from the moment it arrives, and never mixed with anyone else's. For a closer look at each stage, see how it works.

How much does it cost, and how long does it take?

Our prices are the same for pets and people. All prices include GST, IGI certification and insured postage both ways.

Diamond size	Approx. diameter	Price (incl. GST)
0.1 ct	3.0 mm	$1,490
0.2 ct	3.8 mm	$1,790
0.3 ct	4.3 mm	$2,300
0.5 ct	5.1 mm	$3,580
1.0 ct	6.5 mm	$7,680

Larger sizes up to 3 carats are on our pricing page. Most pet owners choose between 0.1 and 0.3 carats for a pendant or ring worn every day.

Your diamond is usually ready in around three months from when the lab receives your pet's ashes or fur. Elsewhere, quoted timeframes commonly run from four months to the better part of a year.

Ways to wear or keep it

• Pendant: the most popular choice, worn close to the heart.
• Ring: a solitaire or a small stone added to a ring you already wear.
• Earrings or a pair of stones: two smaller diamonds, one for each ear or each family member.
• Kept loose: in a small display box, ready to set later or pass down.

If more than one person in the family loved your pet, you can split the material into several smaller diamonds so everyone has one.

Frequently asked questions

Can any pet be made into a diamond?

Yes. Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds — any animal's ashes or fur contain carbon. For very small pets, fur or feathers may be easier to collect than enough ashes, and we can advise on the best option.

Will the diamond be made only from my pet?

Yes. Your pet's material is given its own ID when it arrives and is kept separate at every stage. It's never combined with anyone else's.

Can I collect fur while my pet is still alive?

Yes. Many people collect a little fur from brushing or a grooming visit and keep it safe. It means you'll have the option later, without having to decide now.

What colour will the diamond be?

Our standard diamonds are colourless. Natural trace elements can occasionally give a very slight tint, which some families feel makes the stone more personal.

Is a pet diamond worth it compared with other memorials?

It depends on what matters to you. An urn or paw-print keepsake costs less. A diamond is for people who want something they can wear every day that will outlast them and can be handed down.

Keeping them close

The bond with a pet is simple and complete, and it's natural to want a way to carry it with you. A pet memorial diamond is one way to do that — something lasting, made from them, that you can wear or keep.

Our Welcome Kit is the first step. It's $99, refundable, and deducted from your diamond, so you can collect your pet's ashes or fur in your own time and decide when you're ready.

Order your Welcome Kit →

You can also read more on our pet diamonds page, or see what memorial diamonds cost in Australia.