Why Heirloom Memorial Jewellery Takes Longer to Make
When it comes to heirloom jewellery, you might be surprised to learn what goes into the process of making deeply sentimental jewellery. It’s not a case of taking ready-made jewellery and simply stuffing a compartment with ashes or hair. The process is much more time consuming and results in stunning pieces that will last a lifetime.
Don’t be scared off by longer lead times, as when it comes to heirloom jewellery containing precious keepsakes, slow will always be better. When there is a longer lead time, you know that you’re getting something that has been carefully crafted.
If you’re curious about the process of creating memorial keepsake jewellery and why it can take so long, read on to learn more about this incredible process.
In-House Craftsmanship Explained
It all starts with our team of in-house jewellery designers, goldsmiths and silversmiths. We don’t use pre-made jewellery pieces that are adapted to the purpose. Every piece is made to order, so there is nothing mass produced about the finished product.
This usually means that the timescale for production is a little longer than ready-to-shop pieces. This can be frustrating if you are keen to get your memorial keepsake as quickly as possible, but we find that there are huge benefits to a slow and considered approach.
Hand Finishing, Setting, Polishing
Every stage in the jewellery design process is handled by one of our expert craftspeople. This includes closing the ashes compartment, adding engraving, hand finishing and setting any precious gemstones. We then give everything a final polish so that it is free from any smudges or fingerprints when you receive it.
Chain-of-Custody Steps
Another key part of the process of creating memorial jewellery is adhering to the chain of custody steps. When working with human remains, it is essential that handling is kept to a minimum, movement is limited, and we know exactly where they are at all times.
We have strict processes in place to register the arrival of remains, either from our postal service, or from in-person delivery. We carefully collect the required ashes or hair and store them safely in a marked bag. Ashes and hair must always be handled and treated with the utmost respect.
Through the process, we make sure that we are only working with one set of ashes at once. This eliminates the risk of any mix ups. We also keep track of any remaining ashes so they can be returned with your jewellery.
Stone Sourcing & Quality Checks
We don’t just create stunning memorial keepsake pieces, we also help to source stunning stones to enhance your designs. We work with lab grown and mined stones. We can also re-set stones from an existing ring to create something entirely new.
Ensuring that stones are set securely in jewellery is essential, or you run the risk of losing the stone once you start wearing it. These are all essential steps in the process of creating memorial keepsake jewellery to the highest possible standards.
Why “Slow” Means “Reliable and Safe”
When it comes to memorial jewellery, no stage of this process should be rushed. Rushing the jewellery making process results in mistakes that can compromise the quality of the finished piece.
When handling ashes and remains, mistakes cannot be allowed, as there is the risk that you could end up with a piece of jewellery that doesn’t contain the ashes of your loved one. This is why we take the stance that “slow” really means “reliable and safe”.
You might wait a little longer for your memorial keepsake, but you will know that your piece of jewellery will stand the test of time.
Comparing Timeframes: Artisanal vs Quick Keepsakes
The lead time for a piece of memorial jewellery from Ashes with Art is around 4 weeks. This could be a little longer if there are delays in getting the ashes to us. Likewise if you don’t know your ring size and need to wait for a ring sizer to arrive.
You might find other companies offering much faster turnaround times, but we recommend weighing up the benefits of getting your piece a few weeks earlier versus the risks of there being a mistake in the jewellery design process.
If the process is rushed, you are unlikely to have a truly bespoke piece of jewellery that has gone through a rigorous testing and quality control process. There is also a small risk that your loved one’s ashes might not be handled with the correct level of care and attention. This increases the risk that they might not make it into the finished piece.
Quick keepsakes can have a place, but it’s usually best to choose ready-made items that you can fill yourself. For anything that is permanently sealed or that contains accents like precious gemstones, you always want to choose the artisanal route.
