Much can be done with hair - you can dye it, straighten it, curl it, cut it, grow it, but what about make diamonds out of it?

One Chicago-based company is claiming that it is going to do just that with a lock of Michael Jackson's hair it has purchased.

Dean VandenBiesen, founder of LifeGem, the company making the claims, said: "Our plan is to give people an opportunity to own a diamond made of Michael Jackson's DNA."

It is believed that the hair was sourced from the 1984 Pepsi commercial in which Jackson had his hair burnt.

"We are currently evaluating Jackson's hair sample to determine how many diamonds can be created," Mr VandenBiesen added.

Jackson became famous for his changing hairstyles - when he was younger his afro style became popular with many, although in later years his long feminine hair did not inspire such frenzy.

The autopsy of Jackson's body has been delayed until next week, it was confirmed today.

Find out more about hair styling by Richard Ward