Ring! Ring! Death’s calling!
Jul 2nd 2009
Karen HawkinsKaren Hawkins & When Goddesses Fall To Earth
There’s been a lot of death in the news lately which I find disturbing. I mean, I’m not exactly AFRAID of death, but I’m not inviting him to a dinner party anytime in the near future. It’s interesting to note that this rash of deaths has spawned a whole plethora of news articles on every possible aspect of ‘that moribund state.’
For example, from last week’s MSNBC.com: A company called DNA2Diamonds is offering to create sparkling gems from a deceased pet’s ashes or a lock of its hair. In just 70 days, they can turn what’s left of your beloved furball into a red, yellow-green or cognac diamond (you can choose the shape and carat size) and set the stone in a ring, bracelet, earring or pendant.
Wow. Fluffy is now a necklace. Who knew?
Sadly, in case you were thinking of getting a set of CZs made from your now deceased six cats, this ice doesn’t come cheap and can cost from $2,000 to $18,000 depending on the cut, size and color of the stone you pick.
Of course, if you’re slightly demented like me, you’re already moving on and wondering, “Yes, but . . . what about Granny? Can SHE be made into oh, say, a ruby? Something that might go with that wig she liked to wear?”
Well, just keep reading . . .
Though diamonds can also be made from human DNA, that’s not where the largest percentage of DNA2Diamonds’s business lies. “These diamonds last forever,” company president Bischoff tells PEOPLE Pets. “And we’re finding that even in a recession, creating a diamond in memory of a beloved pet continues to be our most popular option.”
When Hot Cop read the above article, he snorted and said, “That’s the dumbest thing that I’ve ever heard!”
I started to agree, but at about that same time, my sweet not-so-little Po dog lifted his head and gazed at me soulfully as if to say, “Why WOULDN’T you do that for me, Mommy?”
Ok, he doesn’t call me ‘Mommy.’ That’s silly. But he DOES gaze at me soulfully.
Seriously.
So tell me, would you consider making a memorial jewel when your dog/cat/parrot/granny goes to the great water dish/hair salon in the sky? Personally, I find ANY reason to acquire bling a VGT (Very Good Thing), even fake bling made from Doggie Remains. What do you think?
46 Comments »
46 Responses to “Ring! Ring! Death’s calling!”
evlqn on 02 Jul 2009 at 2:09 am #
I love bling as much as the next gaudy tartlet but I draw the line at Fluffy rocks. Nope, can’t see it on my horizon.
I have made an ash of my loved ones,two and four legged but that’s as far as I will go. I’m glad my mom didn’t know about this service when daddy went to the great liar’s club in the sky. She would have been wearing him on her finger rather than just a little bit of ash in a heart locket. It’s bad enough daddy is in several locations now, part of his ashes are buried, part in mom’s locket and part in a canister on the shrine she made to him. I love my mom and my dad but I ain’t wearing either one of them.
Judy F on 02 Jul 2009 at 3:44 am #
Me too. I love pretty sparkly things as much as the next gal but don’t think I could wear a piece of jewelry like that. Just creeps me out a bit.
I do have my cat Dusty’s ashes in a urn by my stereo, on top of it is her favorite toy along with an Angel cat pin I got from a friend. That is enough for me.
Michelle B on 02 Jul 2009 at 5:00 am #
Nope, no ring made out of our pets for me, no thank you. I’m not much of a bling person anyway, but that is a little creepy.
Funny story: We have the ashes from our first poodle that both my DD’s still mourn 7 years later. The vet gave us the ashes in this white container that looks like a frosting container. DD #1 moved out this summer and DH was finishing cleaning her bedroom out to make it an office. He runs across this container thinking it is frosting and opens it. Now he still hasn’t made the doggy connection yet and sniffs it only to get ashes in his face at which time the “light comes on” and eeewww factor sets in. I couldn’t help but howl with laughter because that little dog and DH weren’t the best of friends. Somewhere Cassie (the dog) is snickering.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 5:17 am #
eviqn says “I love bling as much as the next gaudy tartlet but I draw the line at Fluffy rocks.”
BWHHAHAHAHAHA! You just made my morning! That’s a quote worthy of embroidering on a pillow! So your mom has your dad spread out all over the place, eh? You know, I want to be cremated, but now that you mention it, I do see the downside of being portable. No telling how many locations you could end up!
Judy, that’s a lovely memorial for your pet. It’s interesting that more people have jewels made of their pets rather than their grannies. Maybe the ‘creep out’ factor is the reason.
Personally, I wonder if they REALLY bother to extract DNA and put it in your ring, of if they just grab a ring from a premade box, toss it in a nice wrapping and zap it off to you. I mean, how could you prove they did it?
MichelleB, oh my gosh! Your dh got the Lebowski Treatment! BWHAHAHAHAHA! You guys are SO making my morning! Did he jump into the shower to remove the rest of Cassie’s Little Joke? You know, I SWEAR one of my dogs is a practical joker. He does all SORTS of things to my other dog, who bears it with a look of long suffering. I definitely think some dogs have a sense of humor!
Susan M on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:05 am #
Karen H, you are right…all this death in the news is very disturbing. It seems everyday someone else is gone. I’m still so sad about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
I definitely don’t think I would ever have a ring made out of one of my dead pets. That’s just a little too creepy for me.
Lisa H on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:11 am #
No. No. and No.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:22 am #
Susan M, it’s been really sad, hasn’t it? But the news media can’t rest on ’sad’ and have to keep taking the ‘death story’ to higher and higher levels. I tell you, they have no boundaries at all. And when I saw this story, I knew they’d reached their zenith of lowness.
Lisa H, how do you REALLY feel? *G* Ok, that’s a BIG no from you!
SuzyQ on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:45 am #
Pets, no. But I admit I wouldn’t mind being turned into a gem because I definitely don’t want to be put in the ground with the bugs. I’m not asking anyone to wear me – they could hang me from the rear view mirror so I could just sparkle in the sun all day.
Deb Marlowe on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:52 am #
LOL–I’m with Lisa! I don’t think I could get any enjoyment of it. I feel the same about the hair jewelry they loved in the Victorian period–rings and bracelet etc made with your dead loved one’s hair. Ugh.
Sabrina Jeffries on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:52 am #
I read about that a few years ago, Karen, and had the exact same thought–do they REALLY make the remains into a ring or do they toss a ring into a box?
Even if it’s real, that’s a little real for me. I don’t have any pets, but I certainly wouldn’t do that to keep their memory alive. And while I love the bling, I don’t want to wear Mom on my finger. Honestly. That’s just too creepy!
Freedom Writer on 02 Jul 2009 at 6:57 am #
If I ever got jewelry to commemorate the passing of a beloved pet the only gem it would have in it would be al diamond, a really big diamond or a really big cluster of medium sized diamond. No pet DNA lab grown gemstones for me.
Bronte on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:01 am #
I would never ever consider turning my cat into a ring….but we do occasionally get requests at work for the services of a taxidermist (shudder!)
LisaK on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:12 am #
Hmm, let me think …
…think…
…think some more…
…NO!
I’m not actually a fan of any jewellery, but that’s not the point. The point is that the thought of carrying my mummy or whoever around on my finger kinda creeps me out…
JudyPatooty on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:22 am #
What Lisa H. said. “No. No. and No.”
My deceased pets are forever in my memory and that’s where they’ll stay.
Jamie on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:24 am #
This reminds me of those pendants they used to do with departed loved ones hair and all. They are cool and totally creepy at the same time. See link to see what I mean — http://www.victorianhairjewelry.com/
Would I do this? It does depend on price. When I was a little girl, I had this cat, Charlie. He and I grew up together and he was my buddy. When he died, I begged for something to remember him by, so we bought him a grave stone. Ever since then, I have had cats who are the same breed as Charlie (red tabby). It does pose a few problems – my current cat, Archie, has been called the names of the cats who went before him.
I can see those rich people who are completely crazy over their dogs doing this.
Pesky on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:27 am #
While I agree on your theory of bling…I’m gonna pass….
Though, it would probably make for some interesting conversation starters:
“Oh nice ring. Where did you get it?”
“You like it, well…I’m not sure if you can get exactly the same thing. It’s a precious pet ring, and my little Princess Fluffybutt well…she just shines more than any other pet I know.” *Batting eyelashes*
“Huh?”
(Inserexplanation here of what makes up said bling*
“Ermh…ok well…I think I see someone I know wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy over there.”
“Reginald, well honestly dear he was a cheap bastard in life, refused to buy me any jewelry. Well I showed him.”
or what would probably happen with my friends:
“Go ahead Pesky show em your ring. Oh and after she shows you the ring lets go out to her car where all the little squirrels and bunnies she’s done in behind the wheel are painted in outline along the side of it. Yeah…she’s a real find, we don’t know why she isn’t married.”
SheridanLA on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:44 am #
I can totally see those crazy old cat ladies with fingers full of sparklies telling the stories of each one… This one is snuggies…she was so cute, she used to curl up in a ball next to me. This one here is Toodles – he was a moody one! Whiskers here was quite the rascal.
yeah.. as always – it’s ok to love your pets.. just don’t LOVE your pets. ya know?
Cail on 02 Jul 2009 at 7:50 am #
aside from the fact that we don’t have pets, NO!!!! Ew. Gross. End of Story.
Claudia Dain on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:01 am #
Too expensive, that’s my first reaction. And would anyone really look at a ring and think, “Oh, Fluffy, you’re still with me!” Wouldn’t it take about, oh, a day before you looked at your finger and saw a diamond and nothing but a diamond? How does Fluffy stay Fluffy when he’s now a sparkly stone set in gold?
My mind can’t make that leap and stay there. A ring is a ring and a cat is a cat. They aren’t interchangeable.
And I’d like my diamonds to be cat and dog DNA free, thankyouverymuch.
There was another Great Actor Death yesterday: Karl Malden. He was 97. What a talent! I loved him in everything he ever did. “A Streetcar Named Desire” anyone?
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:22 am #
Susan M, it’s been a sad few weeks for the icons of the 70s, hasn’t it? One of my best ever memories of college was sitting on the student union stairs, my mail in my lap, my backpack under my feet, watching a bunch of guys from the dorm next door play frisbee to the song “Beat It.” The sun was shining and it was one of those days where I knew I was where I was supposed to be — at that place and that time.
Deb, I feel the same way about the Victorian hair jewelry! I love seeing it, but I don’t want to touch it. Ever.
But a ring … and like Sabrina says, who KNOWS if there’s really anything in it from your pet? I could probably get away with that, although if I’m going to pay for jewelry, I want the real stuff. I love costume earrings, because I lose so many. But I want real rings. Dunno why, but I do.
Sabrina, maybe what we need to do is buy a ring in honor of our loved ones? Something that reminds us of them, but ISN’T them? I could understand that. I think.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:28 am #
Freedom, it’s all about the purity, isn’t it? I love my pups and I wouldn’t mind a memory piece for them, although I honestly think a framed picture would be enough.
Bronte, where on earth do you work? At a vet’s? I always thought it was odd Roy Rogers had his pony stuffed, but maybe it’s more common than I thought? Sheesh. Who knew.
Lisak, you don’t like jewelry? Really? I’m not big into it, but I love a few smaller pieces. What sort of gifts do you ask for on the holidays?
Judy Patooty, I think I’m sensing a trend on the board. It’s sorta weird, isn’t it?
Jamie, I’ve seen a lot of Victorian hair jewelry and it’s fascinating, but creepy. I think you’re right about some of the odder rich people doing this … like Leona Helmsley who left her entire fortune to her dog, but the court came back in and gave some of it to her kids. She was a mean old thing, wasn’t she? If I had a mean mom like that, I might make her into a ring just so I could spit and polish her a few times a day.
Ok, I’m being mean. Never mind! Wherever you are, Leona, I’m sure you were just ‘misunderstood!’ (Bah!)
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:39 am #
Pesky, Princess Fluffybutt — you’re killing me! That’s a GREAT name. I never named my cat … just call her Cat. But from now on, I’m calling her Princess Fluffybutt. You’ve changed her life.
As for ‘Reginald’ — you’re onto something there, girlfriend. If you did it out of REVENGE, it might actually make more sense. “Oh that? I had Princess Fluffybutt’s ears pierced with a little something I got after finding Reginald’s love letters to his mistress tucked into the box that held our will.”
I could do that.
Sheridan, I agree. The best pet relationships are those where everyone remembers their place. Oh yes, we mourn them when they’re gone. But if we’re building tombs the size of a car to Our Beloved Snookums in our back yard, it’s time for some counseling.
Claudia, Karl was in a lot of Marlon Brando films. I wonder how that was. Karl was a WONDERFUL actor. He was great in … was it called On The Waterfront? I can’t remember names, but he was so many good movies. So sad.
Cail, we hear you, loud and clear! Lol! Btw, Happy Birthday! Do you have plans to celebrate?
LisaK on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:52 am #
Ka-Hawk, I think that came across the wrong way. I don’t dislike, it’s just that I’m not very much into it. I’m a sucker for my earrings, though, but those are paste. *g* (from Müller, that’s the drugstore here, or resp. from C&A). I’ve got two pearl necklaces, but that’s about it. And I always hated rings. Never wear any.
Guess I’m not very “girly” in such things. *shrugs*
The girly part in me comes out in my reading romance novels.
LisaK on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:53 am #
Okay, seems there’s a “jewellery” missing after “dislike”, sorry…
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 9:05 am #
LisaK, I looooove my costume jewelry earrings. And I have tons. The good thing is that the kids can always get me an inexpensive present that I’ll love, so we all win! And I’ve always thought you were plenty ‘girly’, too, by the way! I’m a bit of a tomboy myself when all is said and done, and oh, I don’t do frills AT ALL. So I hear ya!
Cail on 02 Jul 2009 at 9:19 am #
Thanks Karen! We’re hoping to go for a sail if it doesn’t rain. Then the DH is making me Lobsters for dinner. His mom is taking us out to brunch in a little while. She also has my present from my parents so I’ll be getting that then too! We celebrated BIG this weekend back in NY. Dinner at my favorite restaurant, big BBQ and a trip to the Bronx Zoo.
Rachel Gibson on 02 Jul 2009 at 9:46 am #
I’ve had multiple dogs and cats cremated, but made into jewelry? Gross.
Ronlyn on 02 Jul 2009 at 9:53 am #
When I first heard about this a couple years ago I told my DH that unless he made his wishes known, I was going to turn him into a necklace. LOL. He snorted at me, but his wishes have now been made clear and he bought me a beautiful sapphire necklace. ;-P LOL
evlqn on 02 Jul 2009 at 9:58 am #
I love silver jewelry,mainly rings. At one time I had over 100 rings but someone helped themselves to a lot of them so I only have around 30. I let my ears grow closed so no more earrings. I like stones in my rings and especially prefer amethyst.
Lisa H on 02 Jul 2009 at 10:44 am #
You know it is not for me, but I certainly understand there are some people who love their pets as if they were their children. Sometimes these pets are their only companions, so I guess if someone wanted to do it, to help them feel close to their departed friend, they should do it.
But I also would be skeptical as to whether the pet’s ashes were really a part of the jewlery.
colinfirthfan on 02 Jul 2009 at 12:01 pm #
The thought is giving me the creeps. Even worse if its a human being. *shudder*
Though it might be better than taking Fluffy to the taxidermist.
Pesky that was hilarious!!
The Victorian hair jewelry is slightly more creepy. That said – I do have a lock of my mom’s hair in a drawer. I only just remembered that I had it. Haven’t seen it in years but I would still not get rid of it or make it into jewelry.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 12:03 pm #
Cail, what a LOVELY set of birthday celebrations! That’s so nice! And wowza, but that guy of yours sounds like such a keeper! I don’t know a single man who can cook lobster, but I’d like some for my birthday. I’d better get Hot Cop enrolled in a cooking school pronto!
Rachel, I’ve never had a pet cremated. Did you keep the ashes? I’ve always done the old burial under the tree ceremony.
Ronlyn, oh, I like how you think, lady! Lol! Way to go and oh, I looove sapphires! My engagement and wedding ring are prominently sapphires.
eviqn, my stepdaughter has a ton of amethysts and they’re simply gorgeous. She has one silver and amethyst ring that I particularly love.
LisaH, you hit the nail on the head — to some people, their pets are their most trustworthy companions and so they might want something lasting to remember them by. But like you, I dunno if I’d trust the jewelry company to extract a DNA strand for each jewel. Seems difficult to prove if they did or didn’t so … why bother?
Madeline Hunter on 02 Jul 2009 at 12:14 pm #
I am far too practical to pay 18 grand for CZ, no matter what its provenance. And if it were granny—ewww. But, as my dh often says “it is a big country.”
colinfirthfan on 02 Jul 2009 at 12:15 pm #
KarenH, sorry I just realized that you asked me about the Alaskan cruise. The food wasn’t fabulous but we had awesome weather. Didn’t rain once (the southern part of Alaska is actually a temperate rain forest – I had no idea). Lots of gorgeous pristine scenery. Loved seeing the whales, dolphins etc… in the wild instead of in Sea World.
It was nice lounging around on the days that we sailed as well. It was my first cruise.
colinfirthfan on 02 Jul 2009 at 12:15 pm #
forgot to add… asked me about the cruise days ago…..
Janae on 02 Jul 2009 at 2:18 pm #
This falls into the sick and wrong category. Never, ever would it cross my mind to memorialize anyone or anything this way. I LOVE jewelry. I design it and create at least one piece once a week, generally more pieces. But from Fluffy or Granny – no way. Someone who wants to do this should be evaluated by a qualified psychologist.
Paula on 02 Jul 2009 at 3:30 pm #
I wouldn’t do this, it is so creepy!!IMHO i can see that some people might like it but it is not for me. Besides I can’t envisage what sort of stone a few fish would make!!
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 4:09 pm #
Madeline, it does seem that there are plenty of people out there who will buy the most AMAZING things, doesn’t it? 18K . . . hard to imagine anyone would shuck out that many bucks for a CZ even with some granny dust in it.
colinfirthfan, thanks for the cruise info! Hot Cop’s family has been talking about going on a cruise, but I’m just not the cruise type. The only cruise we’ve ever seen that we thought we’d do was a Mediterranean one where you port at various countries, or an Alaskan one where you can do adventure hiking/kayaking/etc at various ports of call, so I’m glad to hear your trip was fun! I’ve heard so many horror stories about cruises, plus I like traveling around and DOING things and there are beaches right here, so . . . I dunno. We’ll have to see what’s on the agenda! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’d love to see a whale in the wild. That would be AWESOME.
Karen Hawkins on 02 Jul 2009 at 4:11 pm #
Janae, you make jewelry? Can we see some? Do you have a website? Or can you post pics on the forum?
Paula, lol! Maybe fish stones would look like pearls? I dunno! Think of all the pearls Suzanne Enoch could make with her million guppies!
nancyg on 02 Jul 2009 at 5:06 pm #
I love my dog, but he’s not a ring or necklace. I’ll miss him when he’s gone, but I’ll have pictures, videos, & memories. Too creepy for me!
I have dropped several not-so-subtle hints for a strand of Mikimoto pearls for my big 4-0 in December. We’ll see if he picked up on it!
My parents had their 18-year old dog cremated & buried her ashes in the backyard. very poignant
K-Hawk:
Mr. G & I have gone on 2 Caribbean cruises & had a great time on both. We went with a group, which made it fun. It’s a crazy schedule though – more of a sampler platter of places you may or may not want to go back to. We also have friends who are in the middle of a 2-week Mediterranean with their kids (great pictures!) & another family who is leaving for a Greece, Crete, Sicily & Italy one today. Mr. G went to Alaska on business about 10 years ago & has been trying to get back there ever since. We’re looking at cruises for next summer… The food is just “ok” but plentiful. However, at the end of the week, our bar bill wouldn’t slip under our door – they had to knock on it & hand it to us, lol.
Louisa Cornell on 02 Jul 2009 at 5:29 pm #
OMG! Doggie rocks have a whole new meaning now!
Reminds me of the sweet little old lady who lived in our village in England. She had a Jack Russell terrorist that she absolutely adored. He was a mean little dog who hated everyone but her. I think he was about 40 years old when we moved there. I swear it was like someone shrunk a crotchety old man and put him in a dog suit. But after he died she had him STUFFED so he could lie in his basket on the hearth until she died at which time he would be put in the casket with her.
We used to visit her for tea with my Mom and at first we kids thought it was very COOL that Winston was lying by the fire glaring at us out of glass eyes. Eventually it started to creep us out and after my little brother had a nightmare about Winston chasing him down the street Mom decided she would visit the lady without us.
I LOVE my animals. You all know that. But I just don’t want to wear them. When mine pass on they are buried in the grove where my azaleas and rhododendron grow. Each has his or her own little headstone and that works for me. I just don’t read Pet Cemetery anymore because this land is partially on what was an Indian burial ground!
Janae on 02 Jul 2009 at 11:51 pm #
I do make jewelry – currently mostly wire wrapping, but I have worked with precious metal clay. I really, really want a kiln, so I work with the PMC more readily. Torch firing isn’t possible with the bigger pieces. I don’t have a website as of yet because I really have a hard time letting go of my favorite pieces. Consequently, I’ve lots and lots of jewelry. I’ll have to request my password for the forum because I forgot it. Then, I’ll try to post some pics.
PJ on 03 Jul 2009 at 4:05 am #
Ummm. No. My beloved Smokey died last week and I will not be making any jewelry from her ashes. I carry all my wonderful memories of her in my heart. I definitely do not need them adorning my body.
Karen Hawkins on 03 Jul 2009 at 7:48 am #
Nancyg, I hope he gets the hint! You know, I have pictures of my pets, but no videos. I should make some.
Thanks for the cruise info! I’d looooove to do the Mediterranean or Alaska, I think. I’m just not big on islands. Been to some. Seen ‘em. Lots of sand. Time to go home. And honestly, I don’t want to stay on a ship for a week. I’d be one of those people you hear about who ‘fall off’ the ship and no one knows what happened to them! I’d be clinging to a bottle of champagne and swimming for shore!
Janae, please post pictures of your jewelry! I wanna see! If you need help logging in, let Kim or me know!
PJ, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Many, MANY hugs to you! I like my pictures of my now-gone pets to remind me of their little quirks and personalities. They always make me smile.
Janae on 03 Jul 2009 at 12:29 pm #
Ok, I will.
Patricia Barraclough on 03 Jul 2009 at 11:48 pm #
I read several years ago about turning human ashes into diamonds. I kind of joked about it with my kids, offering to have their father or my ashes turned into diamond necklaces for them. Aside from the fact I couldn’t afford to do that, it seemed like a nice idea. They thought it was creepy. They would rather the ashes be scattered along the hiking trails we love. Hopefully we’ll both stay healthy and not have to worry about it for a while. Never even considered it for any of our many pets.