The cost to transform human hair into a diamond varies significantly based on the desired carat weight, with prices ranging from $1,600 for smaller diamonds to $3,500 for larger ones. This unique process creates a memorial diamond by extracting carbon from the hair and subjecting it to conditions mimicking natural diamond formation.
Understanding the Cost Factors
The primary factor determining the cost of turning hair into a diamond is the carat weight of the finished gem. Similar to natural diamonds, larger lab-grown memorial diamonds require more resources, time, and advanced technology during their creation, directly impacting the final price.
While carat weight is the most direct determinant for this service, other characteristics like cut, color, and clarity also play a role in the overall value and appearance of the diamond, though the base pricing structure is often tied to size.
Price Breakdown by Carat Weight
The table below illustrates the typical pricing for memorial diamonds created from hair, based on their carat weight:
| Carat Weight | Price |
|---|---|
| 0.35 - 0.39 ct | $1,600 |
| 0.40 - 0.49 ct | $2,200 |
| 0.50 - 0.69 ct | $2,800 |
| 0.80 - 0.89 ct | $3,500 |
The Diamond Creation Process
Turning hair into a diamond involves several intricate steps:
- Carbon Extraction: Hair samples are heated to high temperatures in a vacuum environment to extract and purify the carbon. This ensures that only the pure carbon, the fundamental building block of diamonds, remains.
- Graphite Conversion: The purified carbon is then converted into a graphite form, which is stable and suitable for the next stage.
- High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) Synthesis: The graphite is placed into a specialized HPHT growth chamber. Here, it is subjected to immense pressure and high temperatures, replicating the natural conditions deep within the Earth where diamonds form. A small diamond seed crystal is often introduced to facilitate growth.
- Diamond Growth: Over several weeks to months, the carbon atoms from the graphite attach to the diamond seed, gradually forming a rough diamond.
- Cutting and Polishing: Once grown, the rough diamond is meticulously cut, faceted, and polished by skilled gemologists to enhance its brilliance and meet desired specifications.
- Certification: The finished diamond often undergoes grading by independent gemological laboratories to verify its quality characteristics.
This precise process ensures that the resulting diamond is a genuine, high-quality gemstone, serving as a unique and lasting tribute.
