What Is Memorial Jewellery?
Memorial Jewellery Explained
In simple terms, memorial jewellery is jewellery that contains a small amount of ashes or hair, incorporated in one of several ways:
- Sealed inside the metal in a hidden, permanent chamber
- Fused into glass to create a visible gemstone
- Mixed into resin and set into the jewellery
- Placed into a self-fill compartment by the wearer
The method used determines how secure the ashes are, how long the jewellery lasts, whether the ashes are visible, and the overall quality of the piece.
Types of Memorial Jewellery
There is no single way memorial jewellery is made. The term covers several different methods of incorporating ashes or hair into jewellery, each with its own appearance, level of security, durability and price point.
The most common methods include:
Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewellery
Sealed chamber memorial jewellery is one of the most secure and permanent ways to incorporate ashes into jewellery. It contains ashes within a hidden compartment inside the metal itself, which is then permanently sealed.
This method keeps the ashes discreet, fully enclosed and protected within the jewellery, while also allowing the design to include diamonds or other gemstones.
Learn more about sealed chamber memorial jewellery
Glass Memorial Jewellery
Glass memorial jewellery incorporates ashes into molten glass to create a visible memorial stone.
Resin Memorial Jewellery
Resin memorial jewellery mixes ashes into resin before the resin is set into the piece. This is often used as a lower-cost option, although resin is generally less durable over the long term.
Self-Fill Memorial Jewellery
Self-fill memorial jewellery includes a small compartment that can be opened and filled by the wearer. These pieces are not permanently sealed in the same way as professionally made jewellery.
How Are Ashes Placed in Memorial Jewellery?
The way ashes are placed in memorial jewellery depends on the method used. In some designs, the ashes are permanently enclosed within the metal itself. In others, they may be fused into glass, mixed into resin, or placed into a small compartment that can be filled by the wearer.
Each method involves a different level of craftsmanship, permanence and protection. Some methods keep the ashes completely hidden, while others make them visible as part of the finished design.
This is one of the main reasons memorial jewellery can vary so much in quality, durability and long-term security.
Which Type of Memorial Jewellery Is Best?
The best type of memorial jewellery depends on what matters most to you, including whether you want the ashes to be visible, how important long-term durability is, and how securely you would like the ashes to be contained.
Understanding these differences can help you choose a piece that reflects both your personal preferences and how you would like your loved one to be remembered.
Resin-Free Memorial Jewellery
Why We Don’t Use Resin
Some memorial jewellery is made using resin, where ashes are mixed into a clear or coloured material and set into the design. While this can create a visible effect, resin is not as durable as solid metal or glass-based methods.
At Ashes With Art, we focus on creating memorial jewellery designed to last. For this reason, we specialise in sealed chamber and glass techniques, using precious metals and traditional jewellery methods to ensure each piece is secure, long-lasting and respectful of the ashes it contains.
Learn More About Memorial Jewellery
If you would like to explore memorial jewellery in more detail, the pages below explain different methods, materials and comparisons in more depth.
- What Is Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewellery?
- How Ashes Are Placed in Memorial Jewellery
- How Long Memorial Jewellery Lasts
- Resin vs Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewellery
- Glass vs Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewellery
- Sealed Chamber vs Self Fill Memorial Jewellery
- Memorial Jewellery Comparison Guide
- Glass vs Resin Memorial Jewellery
Frequently Asked Questions About Memorial Jewellery
Memorial jewellery is jewellery that contains a small amount of cremation ashes or hair, allowing a loved one’s memory to be kept close in a ring, necklace, bracelet or other personal piece.
Ashes can be placed into memorial jewellery in several ways, including being sealed inside the metal in a hidden chamber, fused into glass, mixed into resin, or placed into a small compartment depending on the design.
Sealed chamber memorial jewellery is considered the most secure method because the ashes are permanently enclosed within the metal and cannot be accessed or lost.
Some types of memorial jewellery are designed to be permanent, particularly sealed chamber jewellery where the ashes are fully enclosed. Other types may vary depending on how they are made.
Sealed chamber memorial jewellery is fully waterproof because the ashes are permanently sealed inside the metal. Glass memorial jewellery is also waterproof, as the ashes are fused within the glass. Other types may vary depending on how they are made.
In sealed chamber jewellery, ashes are permanently enclosed and cannot be removed. In self-fill jewellery, the compartment can be opened, although this may reduce security.
In some types, such as glass or resin jewellery, the ashes are visible within the design. In sealed chamber jewellery, the ashes are hidden inside the metal.
The lifespan of memorial jewellery depends on how it is made. Sealed chamber jewellery is designed to last a lifetime, while other types may change over time depending on the materials used.
Yes, some types of memorial jewellery can incorporate hair instead of ashes, depending on the design and method used.
Explore Memorial Jewellery
If you would like to explore our collection, you can browse our range of ashes jewellery including rings, necklaces and other pieces designed to hold ashes securely and respectfully.
