A BBC '3 Counties Radio' program was brought to my attention on Wednesday 22nd February. This was Jonathon Vernon-Smith's mid-day consumer help feature. Apparently he had been investigating a very serious allegation from a lady in France that Tomorrows Traditions had stopped answering 'phones and e-mails and that she (the lady) wanted a refund of monies paid up-front, but most importantly she wanted her husbands ashes back. Over the days, Jonathon had tracked Lisa Barker (the owner of TT) to both a working e-mail and a private 'phone line. So the poo is most definitely flying from the fanned flames.

Now this is all on top of a bizarre e-mail from one of the 'partners' which stated that they (TT) had supplied Memorial Diamonds with NO carbon from a deceased donor. What also became clear was - their supplier was a Russian company, who are now trying to take over from where 'TT' left off.  Bio-Diamonds

In a very specialist niche industry of only 5 memorial diamond lab's in the world, this kind of situation offers more fuel to the existing worries we have gleaned from enquirers over the years. (These are mentioned in our FAQ section) : Are the diamonds REAL : Do we actually use ashes supplied : How much does it cost?.

With over 150 memorial diamonds made, we don't have one customer unhappy with their diamond we made.
As members of the NAFD and also SAIF, we work to an ethical code of practice. We ONLY make memorial diamonds - from carbon extracted from ashes and hair (and umbilical cords).

Some of our diamonds are less and some are more expensive than our competitors, but - honestly - we are NOT profit driven. John Ruskin once reflected -Value v Prices - http://bit.ly/vZst5d

Later on, we will explain about why you cannot make diamonds from DNA or make them cheaply.

I'm going to cut and paste this e-mail unadulterated [dated 14th Jan. 2012]
 Allegedly from [Vincent Neale, Ex partner, Tomorrows Traditions] Checked True.

"Dear Phoenix Diamonds,

So, 'TT' have been busy again. Not only do we have to contend with them 'ripping-off' our website name "www. memorial-diamonds.com" by registering (months after us!!) memorialdiamonds.co.uk**.  and also using our name 'Phoenix' in one of their promo's - thereby capitalising on our Google collateral - we now hear they are crying about our warnings about "DiamondAura™". It gets better - We had suspicions years ago that 'Steel Rose' was trying to 'get-in' on our market but suddenly registering the same name** behind our backs, which then falls into the hands of our competition.  Now they are bellyaching about our warning to the public about 'DiamonAura™' - which as the advert shows are not 'diamonds'[sic] and are supplied by STAUER  for £145. They are real sparklers and very good, but not what we make - which are REAL DIAMONDS.  So, any company stupid enough to adopt a name synonymous with FAKE gems is asking for trouble. You can see the full advert at - http://bit.ly/iwrs2y - please be sure to do your research, look for 'Cognac' diamonds - they are usually Russian, then make sure you are buying REAL diamonds made from your ashes by a British company.

We would like to assure anyone misinterpreting the coicidences of a common address, that there is NO CONNECTION whatsoever between the Phoenix Group and Sunrise Diamonds plc at Sunrise House. We are a totally independent and privately owned UK company, specializing in the manufacture of 'Memorial Diamonds' (not natural mined diamonds).

One of our dog diamonds (there have been a few) a 1.00carat Canary brilliant mounted in a custom ring setting with diamond chips. The ring has been designed by our Ozzie agent - Sue and the diamond has been mae from the ashes of her own 'Digby'

This is out latest 'Memorial Diamond' photo as supplied by a customer. The diamond is a 0.75 carat brilliant cut canary mounted in Welsh Gold - formed from an amalgamation of both wedding rings.

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little.

When you pay too much, you lose a little money...that is all.

When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was supposed to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.....it cannot be done.

If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better”

John Ruskin – Philosopher 1819-1900

Bizarre as it may seem, RED diamonds seem to be exceedingly valuable - yet they may be confused with Rubies, Garnet and fake gems.

We have to make it quite clear, we have nothing but contempt for anyone ripping off our website name simply to capitalise on our earned Google collateral, by using our trading name or suggesting we have anything to do with cheap imitation diamonds like these.
Whatever material they do sell - it is a published fact "DiamondAura" can be bought from STAUER in the UK and the US for peanuts. It should also be noted that these stones should not plunged into hot water for fear of cracking!!!! and jewellers cannot heat them above 300c - BIZARRE.
Even IF we could make this material - we would not, for we only make REAL DIAMONDS.
Watch this space.............

We've been asked many times 'How much ashes weigh?' for sending and converting into a diamond.
Half an everyday cup would weigh approx' 100 grams.
A heaped tablespoon of ashes weighs around the 35 grams mark.
Half a cupful of hair in a firm ball weighs around 25 grams and is usually sufficient to make a 1 carat canary coloured diamond.

Two very recent examples of memorial diamonds set in new rings, both of which were once original partners rings

Just to put the record straight.  Of the three laboratories mentioned in the Radio 4 program (You and Yours, Monday, 26th May) only LifeGem make 'memorial diamonds'  the other two Gemesis and Apollo do not (allegedly).  

We've been asked a few times if we can supply the raw diamond crystal made from the ashes of a loved-one,  well we could I suppose, but what would be the point? The idea of cutting and polishing diamonds is to capture the flashes of fire, the scintillation of light which diamonds do so well. You may as well encapsulate your ashes into glass, it would be cheaper and probably more suited. So I think we have to decline from even going there, after all 'fancy' diamonds arre so valuable in any case, it would be a shame to make a diamond out of a loved-one and then present it a just a rough crystal. Better to cut and polish it to allow it to shine and last forever. 

We are pleased to offer Sherry Jewellery in Lincolnshire, as independent designers for bespoke commissions, Ruth and Chris' are experts at settings which not only secure the irreplaceable memorial diamonds, but also show them off to their full fire and sparkle.
They can be contacted on 01526 834411 or via e-mail at info@sherryjewellery.co.uk you could also see their wares on their own website www.sherryjewellery.co.uk