How much does it cost to turn hair into a diamond in New Zealand?
Our seven necklace designs are arranged in two clear tiers: NZ$2,850 for 0.5ct designs (The Warmth, The Promise, The Flame and The Halo) and NZ$3,950 for 1.0ct designs (The Guardian, The Beacon and The Eternity). The Warmth and The Guardian prices are current special offers against their regular prices. Custom loose diamonds from 0.5ct to 2.0ct are available by email enquiry.
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 100 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 milestone video documentation — sample intake, shipping handover, carbon extraction, graphitization, HPHT growth milestones, cutting, setting, and dispatch are documented where available and tagged to your Life-ID. The sealed high-pressure growth cell is not continuously filmed inside.
Is my pet's hair the only carbon source used for my diamond?
Your pet's hair is the only customer biological material and the only Life-ID-tracked biological carbon source for your order; it is never mixed with another customer's material. The HPHT cell also uses a diamond seed and metal catalyst, so we do not claim every carbon atom in the finished crystal can be individually attributed to hair alone.
Are the diamonds certified?
Yes. Every diamond includes an ILDA or CCIC traceability certificate at no extra cost. IGI or GIA grading is a paid optional upgrade; request it before production or cutting so we can confirm cost and timing. The report documents the finished stone's reported 4Cs and laboratory-grown identification, while Life-ID and the visual chain of custody track your submitted sample.
Is the diamond HPHT-grown, rather than a HPHT-treated CVD diamond?
Yes. Our diamonds are grown by direct HPHT crystal synthesis from hair-derived graphite, not presented as CVD diamonds that have received HPHT post-growth treatment. The crystal grows continuously on a diamond seed. Optional IGI or GIA grading can provide independent documentation of the finished stone's laboratory-grown identification and any growth-method or treatment information included in the report.
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 necklace price covers the complete hair-to-diamond creation process, the diamond (0.5ct or 1.0ct by design), the 18K gold pendant and chain, an ILDA / CCIC traceability certificate, and 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.
