From Cremation to Diamond Creation, LifeGem Memorials Unveils the World's First Diamond Memorial to Commemorate Deceased Loved Ones

Business Wire, August 20, 2002

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2002

Each LifeGem(TM) is an EGL-certified, high quality, colored diamond

LifeGem Memorials, the world's first purveyor of diamond memorials, today announced the availability of the LifeGem, a certified, high quality diamond created from the carbon remains of deceased loved ones. LifeGem Memorials spent more than three years researching and developing the patent-pending process of tracking, collecting and purifying carbon from cremation through diamond creation, faceting and setting.

"For two thousand years, grieving families have had two primary options--burial and cremation--to commemorate the life of the deceased and find solace through the grieving process," said Greg Herro, chief executive officer of LifeGem Memorials. "Our created diamond offers the most unique and timeless memorial available for creating a testimony to the life of a lost loved one."

With cremations on the rise nationally, the LifeGem will play an increasingly important part in the grieving and recovery process. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the number of cremations in the United States has tripled since 1973 to more than 700,000 in 2000. In particular, Arizona, Florida, Washington, California and Oregon have the highest cremations rates in the U.S., with a rate of 47 percent compared to 26 percent nationally.

Ranging from one-quarter to one and one-half karats, the LifeGem is certified by the world's foremost gemologists at the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) in New York; clarity ranges from VVS to SI, with the majority rating VS or better. Initially, the LifeGem will be produced exclusively in blue, and future options will include red and yellow, making it one of the most unique and priceless created diamonds in the world.

"The LifeGem is not only valuable because of the quality, color and cut of the diamond produced," said Herro. "It serves as a unique personal remembrance that incites personal conversations and fond recollections for the bereaved."

Using patent-pending technology, LifeGem scientists from around the world are able to separate the carbon from the cremated remains and then replicate in two months, what it takes nature millions of years to accomplish.

People interested in the LifeGem can find local funeral home partners on www.LifeGem.com or call the toll free number, 1-866-LIFEGEM. LifeGem works with funeral directors and crematoriums around the country to provide training and certification in the LifeGem creation process.

About LifeGem Memorials

LifeGem Memorials developed the first EGL-certified, high quality diamond created from the carbon of a loved one to help family and friends through the grieving process and memorialize the life of the deceased. Headquartered in Chicago, the company creates certified, individual LifeGems of varying sizes and colors through a worldwide network of certified partners. Additional information can be found at www.LifeGem.com or by calling 1-866-LIFEGEM.

Editor's note: B-roll video and product photography are available upon request.