Everything you need to know about Silmaril memorial diamonds — from how they're made, to what they cost, to how they arrive at your door.
A memorial diamond is a real, certified diamond grown from the carbon extracted from a person's or pet's hair. Using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) technology, the carbon is purified and crystallised into a genuine diamond — physically and chemically identical to a mined stone. It is a permanent, wearable tribute to someone you love.
Yes. THE SILMARIL is based in Long Bay, North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. Founded in 2024, we serve customers nationwide via postal service. Being NZ-based means your loved one's hair never leaves the country for processing, and our prices are up to 40–50% lower than international providers.
Silmaril accepts human hair and pet hair (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and other animals). We do not process cremation ashes or bone ash — these contain too many impurities and insufficient usable carbon for the HPHT process. Hair is our sole accepted material.
Three key differences: (1) Location — we are Auckland-based, so your hair sample stays in New Zealand. (2) Price — from NZ$1,980, up to 40–50% less than comparable international services. (3) Access — you can speak directly with the team at any time during the process.
No. Silmaril works exclusively with hair — human or pet. Cremation ashes and bone ash are not accepted. Ashes contain too many mineral impurities and have insufficient usable carbon for the HPHT diamond growth process. If you have seen older search results or cached pages describing us as an "ashes to diamonds" service, that information is outdated. We are a hair-to-diamond specialist only. For a full explanation of the science — and guidance on what to do if your loved one was cremated — see our dedicated page: Ashes to Diamond NZ — What You Need to Know.
Yes. Email [email protected] or contact the founder at [email protected]. There is no obligation, and we are happy to answer any questions at your pace before you commit to an order.
For human hair: approximately 10 grams — roughly a small saved lock. For pet fur: approximately 20 grams, as animal fur has lower carbon density than human hair. The exact amount may also vary with diamond carat size. Any hair not consumed in the carbon extraction process is returned to you with the finished diamond.
Any hair containing keratin: human head, beard, or body hair, or fur from dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other pets. Saved or aged hair is equally suitable — it does not need to be freshly cut.
Yes. Hair stored for years — in an envelope, a locket, or a memento box — is perfectly suitable. Carbon does not degrade in stored hair. Many customers use hair kept from a loved one who passed away some time ago.
No. Our One Guest, One Chamber protocol means each diamond is grown from a single individual's material only. This ensures the integrity and traceability of every stone. A separate order is required for each person or pet you wish to honour.
Any hair remaining after the carbon extraction stage is carefully packaged and returned to you alongside the finished memorial diamond.
Five steps: (1) You submit your hair sample via a secure collection kit we post to you (human hair: ~10g; pet fur: ~20g). (2) The sample receives a unique Life-ID on arrival. (3) Carbon is extracted from the hair and purified to 99.99%. (4) The carbon is grown into a diamond in an HPHT chamber over ~50 days — one chamber, one guest, always. (5) The raw diamond is cut, set in 18K gold, and returned to you by insured courier.
High Pressure High Temperature — the same process by which diamonds form naturally in the Earth's mantle. A growth chamber applies temperatures exceeding 1,300°C and pressures above 5 gigapascals, causing carbon atoms to crystallise into a genuine diamond around a seed crystal. The result is a real diamond, not a simulant.
Approximately 50 days from receipt of the hair sample at our Auckland facility. Total end-to-end including postage is typically 55–65 days. We will update you at key milestones.
It means each HPHT growth chamber contains material from only one individual — human or pet. Your loved one's carbon is never mixed with anyone else's. Each sample is assigned a unique biological Life-ID on arrival and tracked through every stage of the process.
A unique biological identifier assigned to each hair sample when it arrives at our facility. It ensures full traceability from intake to delivery — your sample can be positively identified at every stage of the process.
Three layers of assurance: (1) One Guest, One Chamber — your material occupies its own dedicated HPHT growth chamber, never shared. (2) Life-ID tagging — your sample carries a unique identifier from the moment it arrives through every transfer and handover. (3) Photographic documentation — each key stage of the process is photographed and tagged to your Life-ID, including intake, carbon purification, crystal growth, cutting, and setting. This creates a complete visual chain of custody for your diamond. Milestone photographs are available on request.
Yes. A genuine diamond — carbon atoms in a cubic crystal lattice, physically and chemically identical to a mined diamond. Not cubic zirconia, not moissanite. It passes all standard diamond tests and can be certified by GIA or IGI.
Typically VS–VVS clarity and D–H colour. Trace elements naturally present in the hair influence the exact outcome, making each stone subtly unique — a natural fingerprint of the life it represents.
Silmaril does not offer public facility tours. We update you at key milestones and are always available at [email protected] to answer questions about your order's progress.
The diamond is grown from carbon extracted from your loved one's hair. Because hair-derived carbon is the sole source material in each chamber, no external or synthetic carbon is needed or added. The resulting stone carries the literal molecular building blocks of your loved one's life. This is what distinguishes a memorial diamond from a standard lab-grown diamond.
Every order receives a Life-ID — a unique biological identifier assigned to your sample on arrival, tracking it through every stage of the process. In addition, each key production stage is photographed and tagged to your Life-ID — intake, carbon purification, crystal growth, cutting, and setting — creating a complete visual chain of custody. Milestone photographs are available on request. Optional GIA or IGI gemological certification documents the stone's carat, colour, clarity, and cut. Contact us for certification pricing.
The Guardian — 0.57ct in a dangling 18K white gold horseshoe pendant, NZ$1,980. The Warmth — 0.57ct in an integrated 18K yellow gold horseshoe pendant, NZ$2,650. Both feature a horseshoe motif as a symbol of ongoing protection and connection.
Currently we offer two signature designs. For bespoke setting enquiries, email [email protected] — we are happy to discuss what may be possible.
Both current designs feature a 0.57ct stone — a substantial, visible diamond that holds strong presence in any setting.
The Guardian features an 18K white gold chain weighing 2.7g. The Warmth features an 18K solid yellow gold chain weighing 4g. Both are genuine 18-karat gold — not gold-plated.
The Guardian: NZ$1,980 (18K white gold). The Warmth: NZ$2,650 (18K yellow gold). Both prices are all-inclusive of the diamond, setting, collection kit, and NZ delivery. GST included. See our pricing page for full details.
Yes — everything is included. The listed price covers the full HPHT creation process, the 0.57ct lab-grown diamond, the complete 18K gold pendant and chain (not a loose diamond), the secure NZ collection kit, insured courier return delivery, and return of any unused hair. GIA or IGI certification is the only optional extra, available on request.
No. The listed price is fully all-inclusive for NZ customers. The only optional extra is gemological certification. Contact [email protected] for current certification pricing.
Yes. All prices are in New Zealand dollars, inclusive of GST. No additional taxes are applied at checkout.
We are a NZ-based studio. By operating locally we eliminate international shipping costs, import duties, and intermediary margins that overseas providers pass on to NZ customers. Our prices are typically 40–50% lower than international providers such as Heart In Diamond (NZ$3,500+) or Algordanza (NZ$3,800+).
Securely online via Stripe — any major credit or debit card. You can also enquire by email before paying. There is no obligation to commit before you are ready.
Full payment is made at the time of ordering. If you have questions about payment arrangements, email [email protected] before placing your order.
Given the bespoke, irreversible nature of the process, refunds cannot be provided once diamond creation has begun. If you have concerns, contact us as early as possible at [email protected] and the team will do its best to find a resolution.
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute) certification is available on request at an additional cost. A certificate documents the stone's carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut to international gemological standards.
Certification pricing varies with current laboratory fees. Contact us for current pricing — it can be arranged before or after your order is placed.
Certification is optional. Many customers choose it for peace of mind or to document the stone's quality for insurance purposes. The diamond is a real diamond regardless of whether it carries a certificate.
Yes — all of New Zealand. We post a secure collection kit to your address nationwide and return the finished jewellery by insured courier. You never need to visit us in person.
Yes. The collection kit is posted to you and the finished piece is returned by insured courier — both at no additional charge, regardless of your location within New Zealand.
By insured courier to your New Zealand address. The piece is packaged securely alongside any unused hair.
Yes. Silmaril does not share, sell, or retain personal or payment data beyond what is required to process your order. Payment is handled by Stripe, which does not store card details with Silmaril.
Order directly at silmaril.co.nz/#collection, or email [email protected] with any questions first. Once your order is confirmed, we post the collection kit straight to your door.
Yes. Silmaril transforms pet fur — dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and other animals — into certified lab-grown memorial diamonds. The process and pricing are identical to human hair orders. See our pet memorial diamonds page for full details.
Any animal with fur or hair containing keratin. Dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits are most common. Contact us if you're unsure whether your specific pet's fur is suitable — we'll advise promptly.
Yes. Fur saved before or after your pet's passing works equally well. Grooming clippings, fur from a brush, or locks kept by a vet are all accepted.
No. The price is the same regardless of species — The Guardian at NZ$1,980 and The Warmth at NZ$2,650 for any pet.
No. The One Guest, One Chamber protocol applies to every order. Each diamond is grown from a single individual's material only. A separate order is required for each pet.
We're happy to answer anything — no obligation, no pressure.
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