Compare Ashes With Art to Other Memorial Jewellery Brands

Resin ashes jewellery uses a liquid plastic material (resin or epoxy) that is poured into a setting and left to harden around the ashes. Resin is affordable and easy to work with, but it can yellow, scratch, soften, trap moisture, or react to heat and sunlight over time.

Resin-free ashes jewellery is made using traditional fine jewellery techniques. Ashes are placed inside a professionally crafted metal chamber and sealed. Instead of resin, makers also use kiln-fired fused glass, lab-grown gemstones, and natural gemstones.

Resin-free jewellery is generally more durable, waterproof, UV-safe, and long-lasting because it uses the same materials found in high-quality fine jewellery.

It depends on the materials used.

- Fine jewellery made with metals, gemstones, or kiln-fired fused glass is typically fully waterproof and UV-safe, meaning it can be worn in the shower, sea, pool, and daily life without damage.
- Resin ashes jewellery is not waterproof. Resin can absorb moisture, soften with heat, or become cloudy when exposed to water, cleaning products, lotions, chlorine, or saltwater. Resin is also not UV-safe.

If you want ashes jewellery that can be worn all the time, look for resin-free jewellery made like traditional fine jewellery.

The lifespan depends on how the piece is made.

- Resin-free ashes jewellery (precious metal + gemstone/glass) can last a lifetime with normal care. These materials can be cleaned, polished, repaired, resized, and restored by professional jewellers.
- Resin jewellery has a shorter lifespan. Resin may yellow, scratch, or crack over time, especially with heat, sunlight, moisture, or daily wear.

For jewellery intended to last for decades, pieces made using traditional fine jewellery techniques offer the best long-term durability.

Resin is widely used in craft jewellery, but it is not considered a fine jewellery material. This is why you won't find it in respected high-street jewellery shops or on luxury and fine jewellery brand websites.

While safe to wear, resin can:

- yellow or become cloudy
- soften with heat
- absorb moisture
- react to cosmetics or cleaning products
- crack or scratch easily
- lose clarity over time

For sentimental items intended for lifelong wear—especially rings—resin may require extra care and may not offer the same durability or security as solid precious metal, glass, or gemstones.

Jewellery made with precious metals and kiln-fired or gemstone materials avoids these issues and is more stable long-term.

For everyday wear, the best option is resin-free ashes jewellery made in the same way as traditional fine jewellery. Look for:

- solid precious metals (Silver, Gold, Platinum)
- hand settings crafted by jewellers which don't require glue or bonding materials like resin
- kiln-fired fused glass, lab-grown gemstones, or natural gemstones
- waterproof and UV-safe materials

These materials withstand daily activity, water, sunlight, and long-term wear.
Resin jewellery is more fragile and typically needs to be removed for washing, swimming, heat exposure, and many everyday tasks.

The best metals for ashes jewellery are solid precious metals, which offer long-term durability, hallmarking for authenticity, and the level of craftsmanship expected from fine jewellery.

Sterling Silver (925)
A traditional precious metal used in fine jewellery.
It is strong, affordable, and always UK hallmarked to confirm purity.

Solid 9ct and 18ct Gold (not plated)
Gold is one of the most desirable choices for memorial jewellery.
It resists tarnishing, is suitable for everyday wear, and has a beautiful, timeless finish.
Higher-carat golds such as 18ct offer richer colour and greater intrinsic value.
All genuine gold jewellery must be professionally hallmarked.

Working with solid gold requires trained, skilled jewellers, as the metal must be worked with, set, and finished using fine jewellery methods. 

Platinum
Platinum is the most luxurious and enduring metal used in ashes jewellery.
It is naturally white, exceptionally strong, hypoallergenic, and heavier than gold or silver.
Platinum jewellery is always hallmarked and typically crafted by experienced jewellers with advanced skillsets.

Why precious metals matter
Precious-metal ashes jewellery allows for:

- secure, traditional gemstone and glass settings
- professional resizing and repairs
- long-term daily wear
- a finish that doesn’t fade or wear away
- hallmarking for guaranteed authenticity
- skilled jewellers to control every stage of the making process

Because gold and platinum require specialist training, jewellery made in these metals is usually produced in professional jewellery workshops, not mass-produced or cast using resin-based methods.

Yes — as long as it is made using traditional fine jewellery techniques.

Jewellery made from solid precious metals with sealed settings can be:

- resized
- polished
- re-tipped
- re-shanked
- stone-set or re-set
- professionally restored

However, resin-based jewellery cannot usually be resized or repaired. Heat from resizing can damage resin, and structural repairs may not be possible. Resin-based jewellery is also often made by unskilled artisans who lack the training and experience to work on repairs and adjustments in-house. 

Kiln-fired glass is a high-quality material created by heating glass in a kiln until it fuses and hardens.
In memorial jewellery, this technique produces a durable, non-resin gemstone in which ashes can be safely included.

Benefits include:

- long-term clarity
- resistance to clouding
- waterproof and UV-safe properties
- a solid, gemstone-like finish

It is far more durable than resin and is suitable for daily wear.

Glued stones (also called bonded settings) can loosen over time, particularly if exposed to:

- water
- heat
- lotions or perfume
- everyday wear
- accidental knocks
In fine jewellery, stones are usually set using claws, bezels, or pressure settings, which do not rely on glue. This provides far greater long-term security.

If you want a piece that can be worn every day, look for jewellery with traditional gemstone settings instead of bonded or glued stones.

The level of care needed depends on the materials:

Fine jewellery (metal + glass/gemstone):
- Clean gently with warm water and mild soap
- Suitable for daily wear
- Can be professionally polished or serviced
- No special restrictions needed

Resin jewellery:
- Must be kept away from water
- Avoid heat, UV light, lotions, cleaning products
- Can scratch or yellow
- Cannot usually be polished or restored

If you want low-maintenance jewellery, choose resin-free pieces.

Each brand follows different procedures, but in professional jewellery studios:

- Ashes are labelled and securely stored
- Only one set is worked on at a time
- Ashes are precisely measured and placed
- Chain-of-custody procedures are followed
- Any unused ashes are returned safely

These practices ensure respect, accuracy, and the safe handling of your loved one’s remains.

Looking for brands with transparent handling procedures can provide extra assurance.

Yes — if it is made using resin-free materials such as precious metal, fused glass, natural gemstones, or lab-grown gemstones that are properly set, not glued.

These materials are durable, waterproof, UV-safe, and suitable for daily wear.

Resin jewellery is more delicate and usually needs to be removed for:

- showering
- swimming
- exercising
- heat exposure
- cleaning
- applying lotions or perfume

For everyday wear and for special pieaces, fine jewellery is recommended.

Several factors influence the price of ashes jewellery:

- metal choice (Silver vs Gold vs Platinum)
- gemstone material (glass, lab-grown, natural gemstone)
- craftsmanship and construction, whether something is made-by-hand or mass produced stock ordered in
- whether it uses resin or fine jewellery techniques
- country of manufacture
- time required for handcrafting
- aftercare and servicing options

Resin jewellery is typically cheaper because materials and production methods are lower-cost and quicker to produce.

Fine jewellery costs more because it uses precious metals, skilled jewellers, and durable long-lasting materials.

Both are excellent resin-free options, and each has unique advantages:

Fused Glass Gemstones:
- UV-safe and waterproof
- Durable and versatile
- Custom colours possible
- Visible ashes and inclusions
- More affordable 

Lab-grown or natural gemstones:
- Extremely hard and scratch-resistant
- Diamonds come with certification
- Retains high value
- Luxury fine jewellery appearance
- Discreet ashes or hair inclusion

Both are superior long-term materials compared to resin.
The best choice depends on your preferred style.

Custom design availability varies:

- Some brands offer fully bespoke memorial jewellery
- Some offer limited personalisation (e.g., colours, engravings)
- Some do not offer customisation at all

If you want a piece tailored to your ideas — shape, colour, stone type, metal, or style — look for brands with an in-house jewellery workshop and a professional design service.

For jewellery intended to be worn often — especially rings, pendants, and bracelets — fused glass is stronger, more stable, and more durable than resin.
It is also a recognised fine-jewellery material that works with traditional gemstone settings.

Resin can look beautiful when new, but it does not offer the same long-term durability, clarity, or resistance to heat, water, and sunlight.

In short:
- Glass = durable, waterproof, UV-safe, fine-jewellery material
- Resin = softer, more reactive, and less stable over time

Choosingglass gives you a piece designed for daily wear and lifelong longevity, using the same principles applied in traditional jewellery making.