Every once in a while somebody passes along a web site to me that makes me stare at the computer screen in utter disbelief. LifeGem is one of those sites.
Taking immortalizing a loved one to a ridiculously uncomfortable level, LifeGem turns the actual carbon remains of your dead so-and-so into diamond jewelry. I shit you not.
Each LifeGem®, created from the carbon in a lock of hair, symbolizes your precious and personal bond with another. With this closeness offered only by a LifeGem®, you will have your loved one with you and in your life at all times.
Can I get a WTF?
I understand the need to feel like a lost loved one is with you always, but turning him or her into a snazzy pair of cuff links isn’t exactly the way I would picture doing it. Ick.
17 April, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Actual customer testimonial from the site:
“I just received the package a few minutes ago. You are right, Skip is a beautiful gem.”
I’m sure somewhere, someplace, Skip is thrilled….
17 April, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Oh no. In my part amusement part disgust I was about to comment here quoting US boxing promotor, Don King and say, “only in America.”
But it’s a bloody UK company based out of West Sussex. Shit the bed!
17 April, 2008 at 4:58 pm
OK.
I am TOTALLY weirded out by this…the things that people think of…
…and honestly, I would have thought that “quote” was a joke…scary!
17 April, 2008 at 11:37 pm
@Davies – Yeah, but I wonder what nationalities are shelling out the dough for it…
18 April, 2008 at 9:42 am
If they make it from a lock of hair, it doesn’t necessarily have to be from a dead person.
So, how would you feel about a significant other wanting to do this while you are still alive?
18 April, 2008 at 10:32 am
creepy, yes. but on the plus side, it isn’t a blood diamond… hahh
18 April, 2008 at 6:47 pm
This is hopefully the first and last time I hear about this stuff :-)
I am living in Norway, and I really really hope that I will never see this stuff hit the streets here.
And by the way, it was a nice combination showing the image in your article (and of course mixing it with my imagination) close to the header of your blog with some nice noodles. Good thing your noodles are plastic :-)
30 June, 2008 at 3:39 am
You guys think this is weird? I think having my dad’s remains in an urn on my mantle is weird. This is a nice way for me to have his remains. I don’t wish this upon you, but maybe when someone close to you dies you consider this. You guys disgust me.
23 January, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I know this article is old, but my sister just told me about LifeGem while we were discussing my wishes should the cancer end up further progressed than I’d thought. As someone who is facing the possibility of death, and as someone who is unafraid of that possibility, I am seriously weirded out by LifeGem. The thought of my husband ordering me compacted into a tidy, sparkly little diamond is just creepy. In fact, I found this after searching for “LifeGem Creepy” on Google, to see if I was the only one to find this a wee bit odd.
“Gorgeous diamond, Mr. H!”
“Thank you… It’s my wife.”
(o_O)
Hmm… I wonder how many *men* are buying LifeGem diamonds? It seems like it’s a consumerist play on women’s tendency to have a harder time letting go, as well as the stereotype that all women like diamonds. Perhaps men merely do not leave testimonials on the LifeGem website, however after looking at the “Client Testimonials” page (http://www.lifegem.com/secondary/Testimonials2006.aspx), I counted 93 testimonials… of which only 9 were from men.
In regards to the comment by Rebekah, I would be curious what her father’s wishes were. If his wish was to be cremated, then it does not seem all that strange to keep his ashes (there are other places besides upon the mantle to keep them). It is my hope that after my cremation, my ashes will be tossed into the ocean breeze, to rest finally within the waters of life… however, the fact is that I will be *DEAD*. I truly will not care WHAT happens to my body (which is why, prior to the cancer and subsequent illnesses, I was always listed as an organ donor). If my husband really wishes to turn me into a designer diamond (which he has already laughed at the absurdity of), all I would hope is that he has enough money left over to care for our children. It would be beyond amusing to end up on a pawn shop shelf. ::lmao::
19 June, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA .BUT IT IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE.
29 July, 2009 at 4:01 pm
It IS a great idea and it IS very expensive, but I’m seriously looking into it. I lost my Father over a year ago and I’m still very upset by this loss. I think having a lock of his hair turned into a beautiful diamond that I can wear will be a great tribute to my Dad and a wonderful reminder to me of his life and love.
10 September, 2009 at 8:00 am
It’s not creepy at all… it’s a fabulous way to have your loved one with you. I lost my son in 2008. A small portion of his ashes was used to create a LifeGem diamond, which I had set into a ring. The diamond (a pale blue one) is surrounded by sapphires, his birthstone. The ring is breathtaking! I would obviously rather have my son than to have this or any diamond, but that’s not possible. Therefore, his LifeGem allows me to have a physical reminder of the most precious person in my life. I believe he would understand.
8 November, 2009 at 12:04 am
I agree with Shortie. My grandson just tragically died at 6 mos. old. His parents and the whole family are devastated. I am ordering two blue Lifegem diamonds for both mom and dad. It will be a beautiful physical reminder of their beautiful boy. It is not creepy at all!!!