Ricki Lake Receives Heartfelt Diamond Necklace Crafted from Ashes of Her Lost Home in L.A. Wildfires

Ricki Lake has found a poignant way to keep a part of her home, lost in the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles in January 2025, close to her heart. In a heartfelt Instagram video shared on March 14, the actress and television host, 57, revealed that a diamond has been created from the ashes of her burned property.

“So, I’m here at the bottom of the hill where I used to live before my house burned down,” Lake said, expressing her excitement and emotions about the moment. She noted that the diamond was crafted by the company Eterneva. The wildfires, which caused extensive damage throughout Southern California, resulted in over 18,000 homes being destroyed and claimed at least 31 lives.

John Bonny, who cared for Lake’s property, was instrumental in the process of creating the diamond. He recalled picking up rubble from the main gate, which symbolized the entry into her home, stating, “It was always, like, ‘The gates are always open.’” He elaborated that the philosophy reflected Lake’s welcoming nature toward friends and family.

Bonny went on to collect ashes from significant areas around the property, including a tool shed and a tree near the “ceremonial circle” where Lake’s late ex-husband, Christian Evans, was buried. Lake was married to Evans from 2012 until his untimely passing in 2017 at the age of 46.

Lake reflected on the creation of the diamond, describing it as a beautiful transformation from a tragic loss. “Having something so beautiful created from something so tragic is such a beautiful lesson in life,” she shared. The diamond, set in pale green and presented on a gold chain, resonated deeply with her.

Lake elaborated on the significance of the design, stating, “Green is the heart chakra,” and described her idea to include a phoenix illustration on the back, which also carries the date of the fire—January 7. This addition serves as a reminder of her journey since then.

In her Instagram caption, Lake called the diamond “one of the most poetic and sentimental gifts” she has ever received. She emphasized the symbolic connection embedded in every aspect of the diamond’s design, declaring, “It is proof that something beautiful can come from tragedy and sadness. Home is LITERALLY where the heart is.”