How much does it cost to turn hair into a diamond in New Zealand?
Our memorial diamond necklaces are NZ$3,280 for The Guardian (18K white gold) and NZ$2,650 for The Warmth (18K yellow gold).
Each diamond is carefully created from your loved one's hair, preserving their memory in a form that lasts forever.
By managing our process directly and working with trusted production partners, we're able to offer high-quality memorial diamonds at a more accessible price—without compromising on care, authenticity, or craftsmanship.
How long does the process take?
Diamond production is approximately 60 days from laboratory sample receipt to finished diamond. Our customer delivery estimate is approximately 80 days from receipt of a suitable sample to delivery of the finished jewellery. Customs or carrier delays may extend this estimate.
Can you use pet hair?
Yes. We work with human and animal hair equally — including suitable fur, mane, tail hair, wool or fleece from dogs, cats, horses, sheep, rabbits, and more. The process and pricing are identical.
How do I know the diamond was made from my loved one's hair?
Three layers of assurance: (1) One Guest, One Chamber — your material grows in its own dedicated chamber, never shared. (2) Life-ID — a unique identifier assigned when received by Silmaril, carried through every transfer and handover. (3) Photo and video documentation — sample collection, intake, shipping handover, purification, crystal growth, cutting, setting, and dispatch are documented where available and tagged to your Life-ID. Together, these records substantiate that your diamond is grown from your submitted hair sample.
Are the diamonds certified?
Yes. GIA and IGI certification is available on request. Every stone has the same diamond crystal structure and core physical, chemical and optical properties as a mined diamond — not a simulant. Contact us to discuss certification options.
Do you accept cremation ashes?
No. Silmaril works exclusively with hair — human or pet. Cremation ashes and bone ash are not accepted: they contain too many mineral impurities and insufficient usable carbon for the HPHT process. If you have seen older search results describing us as an "ashes to diamonds" service, that information is outdated. We are a hair-to-diamond specialist only. Read the full explanation →
Does the price include the pendant setting and chain?
Yes — everything is included. The listed price covers the complete hair-to-diamond creation process, the 0.57ct diamond, the 18K gold pendant and chain, insured courier return delivery. There is no separate setting fee.
Why is 18K gold an advantage?
18K gold contains 75% pure gold. By comparison, 14K gold contains about 58.5%. At the same finished weight, an 18K setting therefore contains approximately 28.2% more pure gold than a 14K setting, before craftsmanship and setting work are considered.
How much hair is required?
For human hair: approximately 10 grams — a small saved lock. For pet fur, hair or wool: approximately 20 grams where available. Any unused hair is returned to you with the finished diamond.
