Byron Baer died on July 24, 2007 after spending more than 33 years as an Assemblyman and State Senator.  Linda Baer, a former Administrative Law Judge and Bergen County Freeholder,  is paying tribute to her late husband by wearing a diamond that was created using carbon from his cremated remains.

LifeGem Memorial Diamonds, in a press release issues last night (Rare Senator in Life becomes Rare Diamond for Beloved Wife), announced the completion and delivery of the diamond, saying that Byron Baer decided to create the diamond as a lasting tribute prior to his death.  "Byron thought the idea of being remembered every time his wife looked at a sparkling precious gem couldn't be more perfect," the press release said.

"Byron authored the open public meetings act, called The Sunshine Law and earned the nickname, The Sunshine Senator," said Linda Baer. "It only seems fitting that he became a Sunshine Diamond." 

Linda Baer worked with Feeney Funeral Home in Ridgewood, which offers LifeGem "in addition to other funeral services."

"Feeney Funeral Home is proud to help honor our home state senator." said David Feeney, the funeral home manager.

How do you turn cremated remains into diamonds?  "LifeGem uses 8 ounces of cremated remains or five grams of hair. The offerings range from .25 to over 1.5 carats and are available in most cuts.  Besides Fancy Yellow, the diamonds are available in blue, red, green and colorless.  The carbon from the remains is heated to extremely high temperatures and converted to graphite.  The graphite is then placed into a diamond press which replicates the heat and pressure deep beneath the earth and a diamond is created. The more time in the press the larger the diamond.  These lab-created diamonds are molecularly identical to naturally occurring diamonds.  They have the same traits, hardness, brilliance, fire and luster."

LifeGem will make B-roll video and product photography available upon request.