DIY Memorial Jewellery vs Professionally Made Pieces
Should you choose DIY memorial jewellery or a professionally made piece?
DIY memorial jewellery can feel personal, immediate, and creatively meaningful, particularly for temporary keepsakes or craft-led tributes. Professionally made memorial jewellery, however, is usually designed for long-term durability, secure ash protection, and everyday wear using traditional jewellery-making techniques and heirloom-grade materials.
- →DIY pieces prioritise creativity they can be meaningful projects for families wanting hands-on involvement in the memorial process.
- →Professional jewellery prioritises longevity hallmarked metals, kiln-fired glass, and secure settings are intended for daily wear over many years.
- →There is no universally “right” choice some families value the emotional process of making something themselves, while others prefer the reassurance of specialist craftsmanship.
The choice between professionally made memorial jewellery and something DIY and handmade might initially seem like a difficult decision.
On the surface, it seems obvious – why would you want something mass produced and commercial when you could wear something imbued with personal significance and meaning?
However, once you learn a little more about how cremation jewellery is made, it becomes clear that taking the DIY approach could leave you with an inferior piece of jewellery that doesn’t keep your ashes safe.
In this guide, we’re exploring the pros and cons of each approach, so you can decide if you want to invest in a professional piece of jewellery, or if you would much rather go down the DIY route.
How to make DIY memorial jewellery
Perhaps the easiest method to make DIY memorial jewellery would be to create a wire cage for a small vial.
To do this, you would start by adding the cremation ashes to a small vial and sealing it. Next, you would create a wire holder that will allow you to attach this vial to a chain. You might protect this with a wax seal to help keep the ashes safe.
Another method for DIY memorial jewellery would be to learn how to make resin jewellery. To make resin jewellery, you’ll need an epoxy resin kit and a mould. You mix the two liquids together and pour this into the mould with the ashes.
You could also include other items like glitter or dried petals from the funeral flowers. The material then sets hard and you can drill a hole to attach it to a chain.
The downside with both of these methods is that you’ll have a piece of jewellery that is ultimately very delicate. It won’t be suited to everyday wear, so you might need to save it for special occasions.
The ashes will be at risk of falling out, and the resin will break down over time.
This is why individuals will often turn to professional jewellery services to create a lasting piece of jewellery using durable materials and tried-and-tested methods.
Which option fits your situation?
DIY Memorial Jewellery
- ✓You want hands-on involvement in creating the keepsake
- ✓You enjoy crafting or making personal projects yourself
- ✓You are comfortable using resin kits or hobby materials
- ✓You want a more affordable or temporary keepsake option
- ✓You value the emotional experience of making the memorial personally
Professionally Made Memorial Jewellery
- ✓You want jewellery suitable for everyday long-term wear
- ✓You prefer hallmarked precious metals and specialist craftsmanship
- ✓You want ashes securely enclosed using professional construction techniques
- ✓You are looking for an heirloom piece that may be passed down in future
- ✓You prefer the reassurance of experienced memorial jewellers handling the process
How is professional memorial jewellery made?
There are lots of different ways to produce memorial jewellery.
The most common type is secret chamber jewellery.
With this style of jewellery, we create a piece using precious metals such as silver or gold, and create a small chamber within the piece. The ashes are loaded into the chamber and then it is welded shut to keep the ashes contained forever. We can then add decorative elements such as diamonds or gemstones.
Another popular method for creating durable memorial jewellery would be to turn the ashes into glass.
To achieve this, we melt small pieces of colourful glass over high heat and then roll the ashes into the centre to seal them inside. The heat fuses the ashes with the glass, so they become part of the structure.
We can then shape this molten glass into small gemstone shapes to be added to items like pendant necklaces, rings and earrings.
This is a popular method for creating bright and bold statement pieces.
Which method is right for you?
The obvious advantage of a professional piece of jewellery is that it will be made from long lasting and durable materials.
This will ensure the piece lasts a long time and can withstand everyday wear.
With DIY methods, you might have to be very careful with the piece, and you might be worried about losing it or breaking it.
If you are concerned about the professional jewellery being too impersonal, there are ways you can get more involved in the design process.
Customising the piece with engravings can help to ensure it feels like something that is completely unique to you.
You can also visit the workshop where it will be made to feel more connected to the process.
You’ll see that it isn’t mass produced in a production line, but handcrafted by someone who is deeply passionate about doing what they do.
If you are looking at DIY methods because you believe that learning how to craft jewellery will help you through the grieving process, this is completely understandable.
It might be best to commission your professional piece of jewellery and then take a craft workshop alongside this as a way to channel your grief.
Getting creative is a powerful way to explore your grief and make sense of your loss.
Thinking about diamonds from ashes? They can be costly and often appear yellow with inclusions. Many families choose memorial glass or a lab-grown diamond set above a hidden ashes chamber. Learn more: Memorial Glass vs Diamonds or read Things You Need To Know About Cremation Jewellery.
