Cremation Jewellery for Ashes Things You Need to Know

Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy, but finding a way to memorialise them can help those left behind find closure. After the funeral, ashes will be delivered to your home, and it may take a while for you to decide the best thing to do with them. 

Knowing what to do with ashes isn’t always simple. Some people leave instructions for their ashes in their will, so you’ll know if they would like to be kept in the family home, buried or scattered somewhere they enjoyed visiting while they were alive. But not everyone leaves instructions, so their family members are left to decide what they should do with their ashes.

Having ashes turned into jewellery is an increasingly popular way to memorialise a lost family member. There are many creative and unique ways to add ashes to jewellery, which means every family member can keep their loved one close.

If you’re going to invest in memorial jewellery of your loved ones, you’ll need to consider the following before having your jewellery made.

What type of jewellery can I have?

Memorial jewellery is available in many different forms. For example, you could choose a ring, cufflinks, earrings, pendant, bracelet charm, or brooch. You can also choose different types of metals and gems. For example, you might choose a ring with a hidden compartment to hold the ashes, or you could choose glass earrings with the ashes melted into the glass.

If you’re wondering what to do with ashes and you’re preparing to walk down the aisle, jewellery is a popular choice for couples. This can be a way for their loved ones to be present in the ceremony. For example, you might choose blue glass earrings for “something blue” or memorial cufflinks for a man.

How much ashes are needed?

When you have ashes turned into jewellery, you should work closely with a jewellery designer to ensure no ashes are wasted and that you get a piece of jewellery that you love.

Around one teaspoon of ashes is needed to create a piece of jewellery. If you have ashes from multiple people in one piece of jewellery, you would need half a teaspoon of each. Any unused ashes will be stored carefully and returned to you.

If you have multiple pieces of jewellery made, you need to provide a teaspoon of ashes per piece.

Do I have to open the urn?

No, if you feel uncomfortable opening the urn, then you can take all of the ashes to your maker and ask them to do this step for you. This means that you’ll have no contact with the ashes, and you’ll only see the finished product. 

We offer an urn pickup service if required, which is ideal if you don’t live close to our Worthing workshop.

Can I turn the ashes into a diamond?

Yes, although this process is a lot more expensive and not suitable for everyone. There are companies with the tools and technology to mimic the process of diamond formation. What would normally take millions of years can be achieved in a lab for a fraction of the time.

Since ashes often contain a high carbon content, this can be processed and pressurised using specialist equipment to create a diamond. Memorial diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings, as they allow the couple to keep a loved one close to them forever.

Since this process is incredibly costly, we take a different approach to creating diamond memorial jewellery. We create a piece of jewellery with the ashes stored in a secret chamber. Our Secrets Collection includes pieces with real diamonds, which ensure the piece retains its value.

How long does cremation jewellery last?

With proper care, cremation jewellery should last a lifetime or more. This is why it is important to choose makers that create jewellery with quality materials. For example, a gold, silver or platinum ring should last a very long time.

Caring for your jewellery by keeping it clean and polishing it will ensure that it remains in good shape. If you notice any parts of the jewellery are wearing down, you can visit a jeweller to have it repaired.

It’s important to select the right materials for your memorial jewellery to ensure it lasts a long time. Some companies use resin to create jewellery which is made from plastic. This is more prone to wear and isn’t suitable for memorial jewellery. 

How long does cremation jewellery take to make?

It will take around 4 weeks to make a bespoke piece of cremation jewellery. When waiting for something so precious to arrive, it’s normal to feel anxious. We’ll keep in touch with you throughout the process to ensure you don’t have any additional stress about being parted from your loved one’s ashes.

Can I include multiple people’s ashes?

Absolutely! It’s common to include both grandparents in a single piece of jewellery, even if they have passed away at different times. This is why many people resist scattering all of an individual’s ashes, as it means that they can combine them with another loved one's ashes at a later date to make a bespoke piece of jewellery.