How We Create Your Personalized Diamond from Hair

At Gemméterna, we transform cherished memories into certified lab-grown diamonds, using advanced scientific methods and traceable materials—your loved one’s hair. This process combines emotional heritage with cutting-edge carbon engineering, resulting in a one-of-a-kind gem that captures your story in its purest form.

Below is a detailed overview of the journey your diamond takes—from hair to heirloom.

 

Step 1: Collect and Ship Your Hair Sample

To begin, simply send us up to 10 grams of hair. This can come from one or several individuals and may be:

  • Any color or texture
  • Clean, dry, and free of chemical treatments (preferred, but not required)

Please place the hair in a sealed plastic pouch and ship it using the instructions provided at checkout. Upon receipt, we assign a unique tracking code to your sample to ensure complete transparency and traceability throughout the process.

 

Step 2: Carbon Extraction from Hair (Pyrolysis)

Hair is a rich source of keratin, a protein containing abundant carbon—the fundamental element of diamonds.

In our certified laboratory, your hair undergoes pyrolysis, a high-temperature, oxygen-free process where:

  • The organic components of hair are thermochemically broken down.
  • All non-carbon elements (nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen) are removed.
  • What remains is pure carbon black—the essential raw material for diamond formation.

 

Step 3: Graphitization – Converting Carbon into Crystalline Graphite

To prepare the carbon for diamond growth, it must be converted into a more structured form: graphite.

  • This is done by subjecting the extracted carbon to:
  • Temperatures of 2,500–3,000°C
  • Inert gas conditions (argon or nitrogen)

A graphitization furnace that aligns carbon atoms into a hexagonal crystalline structure

This step is critical to prepare the carbon for transformation into a true diamond crystal.

 

Step 4: Diamond Creation via HPHT Technology

Using our proprietary High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) process, we simulate the intense natural conditions found deep within the Earth’s mantle.

Here’s how:

  • Your graphite is combined with a metallic catalyst (typically nickel or cobalt).
  • The mixture is placed in an HPHT growth cell, where it is exposed to:
    • Pressure of 5–6 GPa (equivalent to ~70,000–85,000 psi)
    • Temperature of 1,300–1,600°C

Under these extreme conditions, the carbon atoms reorganize into a cubic crystal lattice, forming a genuine, lab-created diamond—structurally and chemically identical to a mined diamond.

 

Step 5: Natural Color or Optional Enhancement

Each memory diamond is inherently unique. The trace elements present in the original hair—such as nitrogen or boron—may naturally influence the color of the diamond, resulting in hues ranging from white to blue, yellow, or even champagne tones.

 

Step 6: Diamond Cutting, Polishing & Certification

Once the rough diamond has formed:

  • Our gemologists cut and polish it using precision techniques to achieve ideal brilliance.
  • Each diamond is assessed based on the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight.
  • You’ll receive a certificate of authenticity, detailing the origin of your diamond and its creation from the supplied hair sample.

 

Step 7: Delivery of Your Legacy Diamond

Your custom diamond is set or delivered in the format of your choosing—whether as a solitaire gem, set into custom jewelry, or presented as a standalone keepsake. Each package includes:

  • A luxury display box
  • A certificate of authenticity

Your diamond is more than a gem. It’s a legacy crystallized in carbon, a symbol of eternal connection, and a meaningful alternative to traditional memorials or gifts.