The Exceptional Diamond

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is my BIENNE Diamond made from?

Your diamond is created from what matters most to you: organic material. This can include anything that contains carbon, such as hair, flowers, leaves, paper, textiles, or even a piece of a golf ball. Whether it’s a keepsake or a symbol of a meaningful moment, we’ll guide you step by step on how to prepare and safely send your material.

2. Is it a real diamond? And how pure is it?

They are atomically identical to natural diamonds in hardness, brilliance, and chemical composition.
Our goal is to achieve a clarity of SI1 or better. Since each diamond is created from the material you send us, natural variations in clarity may occur, making every BIENNE Diamond as unique as the story behind it.

3. Are Bienne Diamonds made in Switzerland?

Yes. Your diamond is grown in our facility in Bienne, Switzerland, using cutting-edge technology and 100% hydropower.
After the growth process, it is cut and polished with the highest precision in Canada, before returning to our Swiss production site.
By choosing a Bienne Diamond, you are choosing meaningful beauty – created without mining, but with purpose.

4. What happens if I lose my diamond?

No worries: we archive the carbon extracted from the material you provide.
If you ever need a replacement or wish to create a second diamond, we can grow a new one from your carbon archive.
This saves time – and preserves what truly matters to you.
Please note: your original diamond is a one-of-a-kind piece and should be insured immediately upon receipt.
Only with insurance can financial replacement be guaranteed in the event of loss.

5. What materials can I send in? 

You can use the following types of materials:

  • HAIR – human or animal hair

  • ORGANIC – flowers, leaves, or plant material

  • TEXTILE – fabrics, leather, or clothing

  • PAPER – letters, certificates, or paper fragments

  • SPORTS_MEMORABILIA – with a custom accompanying message

You can also combine multiple materials. Simply select "Mix Materials: YES" during the ordering process.

6. What occasions is a BIENNE Diamond made for?

Your diamond can symbolize any meaningful moment, including:

  • Marriage proposal (Proposal)

  • Anniversary (Anniversary)

  • Hobby or personal passion (Hobby)

  • Pets (Pets)

  • Family & friendship (Relationship)

  • Sports memories (Sports Memorabilia)

  • Or your own personal ideas (Other)

For individual occasions, you can include a custom message during the ordering process.

7. How do I choose the cut, color, and size of my diamond?

In the configurator, you can freely choose:

  • Color: e.g. Céleste (White), Azur (Blue), Verdant (Green), Aurée (Yellow), Solaris (Orange)

  • Cut: e.g. Brilliant, Asscher, Cushion, Emerald, Heart, Princess, Radiant

  • Size: e.g. from 0.25 ct to 2.0 ct

Each configuration generates a unique diamond_id (e.g. HEART-AZUR-0.50).

8. Are there suitable settings for my diamond?

Yes. You can choose from various types of settings:

  • Type: ring, pendant, earring, earrings

  • Color: rose gold, yellow gold, white gold

  • Size: according to your preference
    The setting is automatically stored in the system using the setting_id.

9. How long does the production process take?

Depending on the selected delivery plan:

  • PRIORITY – express production

  • ACCELERATED – expedited

  • CORE – standard processing
    You choose your preferred speed during checkout.

10. How does the ordering process work?

  • Configure your diamond

  • Choose and send your material

  • (Optional) Add a setting

  • Make payment via Stripe

  • Receive order confirmation & status updates

  • Receive your diamond and let it shine

11. Can I track the status of my order?

Yes. After your purchase, you will receive an order confirmation.
Your personal customer account will show you the status step by step – from the arrival of your material to the delivery of your finished diamond.

12. Is there a newsletter?

Yes. You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter during the ordering process.
It includes:

  • Updates on your order (optional)

  • Exciting insights into new designs

  • Exclusive offers & events
    You can unsubscribe at any time with just one click.

13. Do I need to send a minimum amount of material?

Yes. For hair, we recommend at least 10 grams. For flowers, textiles, or paper, a few grams are usually sufficient.
The more material you provide, the easier the carbon extraction and the more reliably the diamond growth process succeeds.

14. Do I receive a certificate of authenticity and origin?

Yes. Each Bienne Diamond comes with a certificate confirming its cut, color, size, and origin.
Upon request and for an additional fee, an independent laboratory report can also be provided.

15. How can I be sure that my material is in good hands?

Your submitted material is stored securely and separately throughout the entire process.
We document the journey of your sample without interruption – from its arrival to the finished diamond. Configure your diamond

16. Can I visit your lab or follow the process?

We set ourselves apart through absolute transparency – we have nothing to hide.
Upon request, we offer guided tours of our Swiss production facility.
Alternatively, we provide regular visual updates on the progress of your diamond.

But for us, transparency is more than just a promise:
We don’t just claim transparency – we prove that we truly produce.
Upon request, we can provide verifiable documentation to authorities and partners confirming that our diamonds are genuinely produced in Switzerland – supported by our own infrastructure, energy consumption records, and fully documented production workflows.

17. What payment options are available?

In addition to a one-time payment, we also offer installment plans via Stripe.
Simply choose the option that suits you best during checkout.

18. Can I combine different types of materials?

Can I combine different types of materials?
Yes. You can combine various organic materials – whether they come from people, animals, nature, or meaningful objects.
The resulting diamond becomes a unique symbol of connection, memory, and individuality

19. Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship internationally — currently to countries across Europe as well as North and South America. We cover all shipping costs, regardless of the destination. Estimated delivery times are shown during checkout. 

20. How do you ensure transparency and quality?

Our manufacturing process follows strict standards. We use only certified equipment, document every step, and guarantee transparent communication, so you can fully trust your diamond.

21. What is an HPHT diamond?

HPHT stands for “High Pressure High Temperature.” This process replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth, characterized by pressures exceeding 5 GPa and temperatures above 1,400 °C. Your Bienne Diamond grows under exactly these conditions — in our facility in Switzerland, using only renewable energy.

22. What is the difference between HPHT and CVD diamonds?

HPHT diamonds are created using high pressure and high temperature, just like in nature. CVD diamonds are grown layer by layer from gas in a vacuum chamber. Both are real diamonds, but HPHT diamonds often achieve higher clarity and show fewer growth patterns. We use only HPHT because it aligns with our standards of quality and authenticity.

23. Is my synthetic diamond less valuable than a natural one?

Chemically, physically, and visually, BIENNE Diamonds are indistinguishable from mined diamonds — both are pure carbon, equally brilliant, equally hard, and equally authentic. The difference lies solely in their origin, not their substance.

But your BIENNE Diamond carries something extra that no mined diamond ever can: your story. It's grown from materials tied to your personal memories, making it the most unique diamond in the world. That emotional connection gives it a value that goes far beyond market price.

24. How can I recognize genuine synthetic diamonds?

Genuine synthetic diamonds are:

  • Not to be confused with cubic zirconia or Moissanite

  • Hardness level 10 on the Mohs scale

  • Certifiable by laboratories such as IGI or GIA

  • Identical brilliance to mined diamonds

Your BIENNE Diamond can be accompanied by a laboratory certificate upon request, just like any natural diamond.

25. Why is your manufacturing process particularly sustainable?

Our manufacturing process is founded on sustainable responsibility:

  • We use exclusively renewable energy sources such as hydropower and solar energy.

  • By producing in Switzerland, we keep transport distances short and reduce CO₂ emissions.

  • Fair working conditions are a given for us — every step reflects respect for people and the environment.

Your BIENNE Diamond is created within a cycle of respect — for nature, for people, and for the significance of your personal story.

26. Can I also order a classic lab-grown diamond without sending my material?

Our philosophy is to combine technology with personal meaning. That’s why we exclusively create diamonds from the organic material you provide — not as a mass product, but as a unique diamond with a story.

27. How is the colour of my Bienne Diamond created, and can I choose it?

Yes, at BIENNE Diamonds you can choose your preferred diamond colour. However, the final hue is determined by several key factors:

  • The natural composition of the organic material you send us (e.g. nitrogen can produce yellow tones, boron can create blue hues)

  • The controlled use of colour-enhancing elements during the growth process

  • Post-growth treatments such as electron irradiation

Depending on the desired colour, we select a specific catalyst that influences how the colour develops during the HPHT process.

If you have a specific shade in mind, we’ll be happy to advise you individually and guide the process accordingly.

Transparency is one of our core values. Only through full disclosure of origin, technology, and certification can a diamond be truly traceable — and fairly compared with natural diamonds.

28. How can you distinguish real diamonds from simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite?

Real diamonds are distinguishable by their physical properties, such as hardness, light refraction, and thermal conductivity. Simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite can be reliably identified using modern testing methods.

Renowned gemmological laboratories such as SSEF, GIA, IGI, and HRD employ highly precise procedures to differentiate between natural, synthetic, and simulated stones.

The ASDI system (Automated Screening & Diamond Identification), developed by SSEF, is an automated screening method for large batches of cut diamonds. It reliably separates natural from synthetic stones and plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and traceability of the diamond market.