I should be doing the last minute chores you're suppose to do before going away for the weekend (final walk for the dog, make sure everything is in order for the house sitter, water the plants, pack, etc.). As I'm working around the house, I'm listening to NPR on KUT. I just heard a report on a new company that I just had to stop and write about. The company is Life Gems and they take the carbon from the cremated remains of your loved one and turns it into a diamond. I find this a very interesting proposition. On one hand, it's kinda morbid:
"Oh, what a beautiful diamond pendant you're wearing!"
"Thanks, it was my dog who died last year."
On the other hand, it really would provide a unique memorial. One of the families the radio article spoke about is designing a family tree type plaque with the father's diamond going into the trunk and the other member's diamonds going into the branches as they become available...yeah, morbid, but fascinating.
That is really weird. I totally do not understand how someone will put an urn with the ashes of a loved one (whether it be a person or a pet) on their mantel. I always wonder what the great-grand kids do with some long forgotten ancestors dust. Who wants to cart it every time you move?
The diamonds are a little less morbid - at least you can pawn them down the line.
Posted by: Stepan on August 23, 2002 10:10 AMIt's amazing what some people will come up with. I wonder how many customers Life Gems have?
Posted by: Eliz on August 23, 2002 11:12 AMIt's amazing what some people will come up with. I wonder how many customers Life Gems have?
Posted by: Eliz on August 23, 2002 11:12 AMcan you imagine the family squabbles for this diamand in the rough? Oh geez. It's a good thing this wasn't around when my Gma died---some of my relatives would actually be salivating. On the other hand, it's the circle of life baby! Is this something I can "call"? Jenny gets the picture, Danny gets the stereo, I'll get the wall clock and then we can divide dem bones by three? You're right this is really morbid. I'll settle for a wing and a prayer when my loved ones go...but I still "call" the wall clock.
Posted by: Mermu on August 23, 2002 6:16 PMOr you could "collect and save" your loved ones and then make a really huge diamond. Then when wearing your pendant the size of the Hope diamond, you could say "See my family..."
Posted by: Cynthia on August 24, 2002 5:37 PMGreat idea Cynthia, and with our big family that would be one hell of a diamond.
Posted by: mermu on August 26, 2002 10:54 AMI wanna be a diamond ring when I die!
Posted by: MOB on August 29, 2002 8:29 PM