Owners Turning Deceased Pet Cremains into Precious Jewelry

By Kelli Bender Dec 5th 2012

Natalie Pilon can truly say that her diamond is her best friend. According to the Wall Street Journal, the animal lover had a portion of her deceased cat's ashes turned into diamonds for a ring she wears every day. Pilon understands that turning Meowy's remains into a ring may bother some, but to her it a way to stay connected to a beloved friend.



"It's a little eccentric - not something everyone would do," Ms. Pilon told the Wall Street Journal. "It's a way for me to remember my cat and have her with me all the time."

The grieving owner is not alone. The technology required to turn cremated remains into precious stones was created ten years ago for those who lost a human loved one. Today, it is pet owners who are driving this market, turning their furry friends into a variety of jewels to keep forever.


The stones produced by this process are said to have the same qualities as their mined counterparts. Prices vary from $250–$2,000, based on size and color. LifeGem, one of the companies that crafts these stones, says they have made over 1,000 pieces from pet remains. Most of the request came from cat and dog owners, but LifeGem also saw several birds, horses, bunnies, even one armadillo.

The process requires about a cup of ashes, with additional carbon being added by the company if needed. While there is no way the owner can know for certain their gem is actually part of their beloved pet, many companies provide certification and tracking to calm this worry.

Overall, animal owners who decide to go through this all have the same reasoning. These are people looking for a way to stay connected to their pet, honor that bond, and always remember the special personality their loved one had.

"It is a little bit easier to know that I had taken my sadness and turned it into something beautiful," Pilon shared with the Wall Street Journal. "Meowy was kind of a little diva, so I thought two blue diamonds would be a fitting tribute."

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