Husband's Memory Captured In Diamond

Published on 02/06/08

The ashes of an RAF serviceman who was killed in Afghanistan have been transformed into a diamond as a symbol of enduring love.

Widow Adele Squires, 40, handed the remains of Flight Lieutenant husband Allan over to a US firm in order to create the precious memento.

The mother of two said: "I thought it was a good idea, so my sister researched it all on the internet.

"I'm still very upset, and taking each day as it comes. But the diamond gives me comfort, letting me know Allan is there and watching over me. It will stay beside my bed until I pass away."

Mrs Squires also plans to have her own ashes turned into a diamond so that the couple's two children can have a lasting memory of their parents.

The quarter-carat yellow diamond was made by Life Gem, which makes synthetic diamonds that can be used for jewellery - such as a diamond pendant - from human and animal ashes.

The company extracts carbon from remains before heating it at 3,000 degrees celsius and then adding one million pounds of pressure for two weeks.