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Die Erinnerung ist das einzige Paradies, aus dem wir nicht vertrieben werden knnen.
Jean Paul (1763-1825)

Algordanza is an international company headquartered in Chur (Switzerland). "Algordanza" - the Rhaeto-Romanic expression for "remembrance" - attends the inspiring mission to transform unique diamonds out of the ashes of beloved deceased. Since ancient times, diamonds have always been regarded as the symbol for imperishability, remembrance and love. Algordanza makes it possible for you to bear the remembrance of a beloved person in a very special symbol of love. The death of a beloved person hits us often heavy, similarly as it seems nearly impossible to say goodbye. After such a hurtful loss a lot of persons feel the wish to have the beloved person always with them. In todays hectic, fast moving world it is more and more difficult to visit the gravesite. Algordanza wants to help you to fulfill the desire of memory and expression of love. In similar way like flowing water becomes ice in natural conditions we from Algordanza create the natural conditions of synthesis and transform ashes into a unique Memorial Diamond. At any time, at any place, close to you, a Memorial Diamond fulfills the desire of individual commemoration.

Each diamond is unique

Your Algordanza Memorial Diamond is solely generated from the cremation ashes handed over absolutely without any additives and admixtures. Each person is unique due to different lifestyle and environmental influences. These circumstances measurably affect the chemical composition of the ashes. That's why the diamonds shine in white or bluish tint - there are no equal diamonds as well as each person was unique in lifetime. You can keep your Memorial Diamond in a precious box or you can convert it into an extraordinary piece of jewelry. We from Algordanza feel confident that this is a wonderful way to keep the memory of beloved parents, mates and children and for you special persons. The distinction of the deceased gets by this kind of burial.

A Memorial Diamond from Algordanza is

a wonderful and timeless bonding to a beloved person a personal place of mourning, of memory and joy an everlasting heirloom over generations absolutely unique and individual

Our promise to you

Guaranteed without any additions and admixtures

Prior to each transformation the ashes will be examined for their chemical composition Thereby an inimitable "chemical finger print" is taken, giving high-precision information about the individual composition of the ashes. By means of an enclosed certificate Algordanza guarantees the 100% origin of the memorial diamond generated from the delivered cremation ashes.

Color
The color is white but can also have a bluish coloration depending on the amount of the element Boron whos attached to the carbon what we cant influence.

Piety
The dignity of the deceased is very important to us thats why the transformation of the ashes is made with highest care and piety. Algordanza obliges optionally the rules of the German, Austria and Swiss Funeral homes. Algordanza handles all information with the proverbial Swiss confidentiality and doesnt provide any information to third parties. Furthermore Algordanza is member of the Schweizerischer Verband der Bestattungsdienste, the Swiss association of funeral homes. Each order is marked with a code. This allows you and us to follow the process of creation starting with the receipt of the ashes to the ending control and packaging. Well happily provide you the information concerning the order status of your diamond if requested.

Clarity and brilliance

All diamonds are produced with highest carefulness. We are proud that our diamonds correspond at least to quality level SI (small inclusions). Often they can even be allocated to the higher quality level VS (very small inclusions).

Schweizerischer Verband der Bestattungsdienste

ALGORDANZA Memorial diamonds

1)

The procedure of the order

Please get in touch with your funeral home/crematory or contact us directly. To handle your order we need following information: Name and address of the funeral home/crematory Your name and address and relation to the deceased Name and address as well as date of birth and date of death Disposal of ashes: a) Transformation of the whole ashes b) The remaining not needed ashes will be sent back to the funeral home for burial c) According to legal general regulations the remaining ashes will be returned to the bereaved in Switzerland We ask the funeral home/crematory to send the cremation ashes to Algordanza Switzerland Upon receipt of the partial payment of 50% of the total amount, we start analyzing the ashes in our laboratory You will receive the order confirmation either from your funeral director or from Algordanza directly Every single step starting from analyzing and processing of the ashes to the finishing is documented. The completion takes about 15 weeks after receipt of your partial payment. The final payment is due within 10 days after delivery of the diamond including certificate.

Size
We offer Diamonds of 0.4ct until 1.0ct

Color
The color is white but can also have a bluish coloration depending on the amount of the element Boron whos attached to the carbon what we cant influence.

2) 3)

4)

Cut
Choose your favorite cut:

5)

6)

Brillant

Emerald

Heart

Navette

Oval

Asscher

Princess

Radiant

For interesting parties who wants to have a diamond burial for themselves and who want to have it secured we can offer our provisional guaranty. Please contact us to get the detailed information.

Diamond-box
Your Algordanza Memorial Diamond will be delivered in a precious timber diamondbox. If you wish you can make a special print on the box.

Laser inscription
It is possible to make an inscription on the memorial diamond. Maximal 75 characters can be engraved. The scripture one can only see with a lens.

Production process
Synthesis
Diamonds grow in a natural ambiance where the crystal synthesis is possible due to high pressure and high temperature. Since approx. 50 years it is possible to produce urban diamonds. To create urban diamonds in a high quality for jewelry was much more complicated and cost-intensive compared with digging. The production of diamond out of carbon extracted out of ashes is extremely complicated compared with industrial diamonds out of ultrapure carbon. To make possible the production of diamonds solely out of cremated ashes guaranteed without any admixtures a special method had to be developed. Also our machines have been developed for this application. Together with academics from the diamond synthesis-sector Algordanza has developed the method to make possible the growth of memorial diamonds. The DIN EN ISO 9001 certification gives you the guarantee of process.
For the production of these unique diamonds a modified technique with HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) technology is used.

Graphite is prepared for diamond transformation.

For initialising of the growth process, a diamond crystal is added.

Around the start crystal more crystals are formed. The duration of growth depends on the requested size of the diamond.

The rough diamond will be taken out of the machine and the start crystal will be cut off.

Receiving and Initial Procedure of the Ashes

Directly upon receipt of the ashes, the ashes will be marked with serial number, thoroughly chemically examined, listed in the audit certificate and finally individually boxed. A mix-up of ashes is not possible.

Cut and Polish

Cut and polish are executed by experienced diamond points.

Chemical Analysis
In our laboratory the analysis of the chemical structure of the cremation ashes takes place. This analysis is on the one hand necessary for steering the subsequent physical and chemical processes. On the other hand this analysis documents the origin of the memorial diamond out of the remitted cremation ashes.

Carbon Preparation
The different potassic and calcium compounds (about 85% of the ash volume) are extracted from the carbon by means of chemical and physical procedures. That happens by using strong acids and leaches. The carbon gained in this procedure forms the basis for the subsequent synthesis in the especially constructed synthesis facility.

Quality Control and Certificate

A strict quality control is carried out and the certificate with chemical analysis will be issued. Therein following values are noted: genuineness, weight, cut and colour of the diamond. Also the determining chemical composition and the guaranteed origin of the diamond out of the cremation ashes are confirmed.

Graphite Preparation
The carbon is transformed under high pressure and temperature into graphite. Thereby generated gases are immediately discharged. Afterwards the cleaning of the generated graphite is carried out. Thats now the starting bases for the actual diamond transformation.

Laser Inscription
At request of the client, the diamond can be engraved by micro laser inscription. The diamond is packaged in a noble box, optionally the box can be printed according your wishes.

FAQs
Q: Is an Algordanza memorial diamond a genuine diamond?
A: Yes - the Algordanza memorial diamond shows the same physical, chemical and optical properties as a dug diamond. We would not be allowed to use the expression diamond if we could not prove that the diamond is genuine.

The company ALGORDANZA

Q: Can a memorial diamond still be synthesized even though the person has been deceased and cremated a long time ago?
A: Yes - the age of the ashes is not relevant for the synthesis. In countries like Germany and Austria, where there is a compulsion of burial, an accurate procedure with the cemetery administration has to be kept. Please contact us hereunto. Headquarter of Algordanza is located in Chur in the Swiss region Grison. With 5000 years of history is Chur the oldest city of Switzerland. At the moment Algordanza is present in 18 countries. The goal of Algordanza is to offer the Memorial Diamonds worldwide in each country.

Q: How much ashes are needed for the process and what happens to the remains?
A: On cremation of an adult human being there will be developed 2 kg ashes on average. We need at least 500 gram of the ashes for the synthesis. The remains can be handled as follows: a) All the ashes will be used for the synthesis. They will remain in the process until they are completely exhausted. b) The cremation ashes not used in the process will be returned to the funeral home in order to entomb it in an urn. c) According to the legal general conditions the remaining ashes can be picked up at Algordanza SA in Switzerland.

Q: Why do the diamonds have different colors?

A: The color is white, but may have - depending on the individual quantity of the element Boron in the carbon - a blue tint. We can not affect the coloring of the diamond.

Q: How long does it take till I can hold my diamond in my hands?

A: The synthesis takes about 3 months beginning from the date of receipt of the prepayment. Nevertheless, the synthesis of a diamond is a highly complex process. In some cases it will take more time. We assure you that quality and precision have first priority, although the length of time of the synthesis could once be suffering therefore. Please contact us to get the detailed information. Wir beraten Sie gerne ber alle Aspekte eines Erinnerungsdiamanten von ALGORDANZA.

Q: Can I have more than one diamond from the same ashes?
A: Yes - i.e. from 2 kg ashes there can be created at least 4 diamonds. Accurate specifics can only be made after detailed analyses of the ashes in our laboratory.

Deutschland
ALGORDANZA Erinnerungsdiamanten GmbH Robert-Bosch-Strasse 29a D-88131 Lindau am Bodensee Tel: +49 (0)8382 709 809 Fax: +43 (0)5572 24 550 info@algordanza.de

Q: What do you guarantee with the certificate?

A: With our certificate we guarantee the genuineness, weight, cut and color of the diamond as well as the chemical composition indicating the origin source of the diamond from the cremation ashes passed on to us.

Q: Is the size (weight) of the diamond dependent on the amount of the ashes used?
A: No - the size of the diamond is depending on the duration of the process. The longer the diamond lasts in the growing phase the bigger it can become. But as this process is becoming more instable with increasing size, we can offer you for the time being a maximum size (weight) of 1.0 carat.

Q: I would like to have my diamond work up to a piece of jewelry - is that possible?

A: You can of course have your diamond work up to a piece of jewelry from a jeweler of your choice.

sterreich
ALGORDANZA Erinnerungsdiamanten GmbH Markstrasse 59 A-6850 Dornbirn Tel: +43 (0)5572 51 915 Fax: +43 (0)5572 24 550 info@algordanza.at

Q: Do you produce diamonds from ashes of pets?

A: No - Algordanza is producing memorial diamonds solely from the cremation ashes of deceased human beings.

International & Schweiz

ALGORDANZA AG Alexanderstrasse 8 CH-7000 Chur Tel: +41 (0)81 353 7455 Fax: +41 (0)81 353 7456 info@algordanza.ch www.algordanza.org