life gem created diamonds 

Synthetic diamonds the key ? See you beloved death in a diamond ??

by Laiah Idelson found at TheStar.com - February 15, 2007

With the increased attention on "blood," or "conflict" diamonds (those that were created in war-zones whose profits are used to fund the war), many jewelers are increasingly producing an alternative: synthetic diamonds. One of these alternatives is a LifeGem Diamond, made from the carbon released during a loved one's cremation or from a lock of hair from the living.

One person can be produced into 100 diamonds, explains the company's website. According to the website, LifeGem created Diamonds have the same qualities as those available at Tiffany's.

They call their diamonds "the most exquisite memorial available." Those who have LifeGem Diamonds find great comfort in them.

One testimonial from a bereaved wife reads, "Thanks to LifeGem I'm able to feel something besides the sorrow, loneliness, and fear that have been with me since he died. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it possible. The LifeGem diamond will bring us back together - forever."

However, many people, including first-year student at American University Erica Goldfine, are skeptical about the process.

"I would be highly disturbed [if I ever received one of these diamonds]," Goldfine says. "One of the biggest fears I would have would be losing the remains of someone close to me. I think it must be really nice for someone, it comforts someone in some way in a way that I don't understand, but it's something I would never do."

There are ways to find the real thing without upsetting one's conscience; for example, the Kimberley Process is an agreement between 45 countries to end the trade of conflict diamonds. LifeGem diamonds are an alternative and even a necessity if we wan to avoid blood on our hands.

Laiah Idelson is a second year student at American University in Washington, D.C. studying Communications and Sociology. She has been involved with Free The Children and Leaders Today since the age of 12 and is currently involved in Hurricane Katrina Relief.