What do coral reefs and diamonds have in common? They are both being used as… memorials.

You can now have a synthetic diamond created from a loved one’s remains (their hair or their ashes). The process takes three weeks to three months, and the diamond can be mounted in a piece of jewelry or kept loose and displayed. The pioneering Swiss company Algordanza (which means “remembrance”) produces about 60 of these diamonds a month, and does 40 percent of its business in Japan. LifeGem (in the U.S.) and Phoenix Diamond (in England) offer similar services.

Another unorthodox way to remember a loved one is with a reef memorial. An underwater tomb created by Great Burial Reef – which becomes part of a sustainable coral reef system – might be especially appropriate for someone who loved the ocean.

(Source: Reuters, greatburialreef.com)

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 5:10 am and is filed under It's Good/Fun to Know .