What Is Memorial Jewelry?
Memorial Jewelry Explained
In simple terms, memorial jewelry is jewelry 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 jewelry
- Placed into a self-fill compartment by the wearer
The method used determines how secure the ashes are, how long the jewelry lasts, whether the ashes are visible, and the overall quality of the piece.
Types of Memorial Jewelry
There is no single way memorial jewelry is made. The term covers several different methods of incorporating ashes or hair into jewelry, each with its own appearance, level of security, durability and price point.
The most common methods include:
Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewelry
Sealed chamber memorial jewelry is one of the most secure and permanent ways to incorporate ashes into jewelry. 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 jewelry, while also allowing the design to include diamonds or other gemstones.
Learn more about sealed chamber memorial jewelry
Glass Memorial Jewelry
Glass memorial jewelry incorporates ashes into molten glass to create a visible memorial stone.
Resin Memorial Jewelry
Resin memorial jewelry 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 Jewelry
Self-fill memorial jewelry 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 jewelry.
How Are Ashes Placed in Memorial Jewelry?
The way ashes are placed in memorial jewelry 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 jewelry can vary so much in quality, durability and long-term security.
Which Type of Memorial Jewelry Is Best?
The best type of memorial jewelry 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 Jewelry
Why We Don’t Use Resin
Some memorial jewelry is made using resin, where ashes are mixed into a clear or colored 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 jewelry designed to last. For this reason, we specialize in sealed chamber and glass techniques, using precious metals and traditional jewelry methods to ensure each piece is secure, long-lasting and respectful of the ashes it contains.
Learn More About Memorial Jewelry
If you would like to explore memorial jewelry in more detail, the pages below explain different methods, materials and comparisons in more depth.
- What Is Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewelry?
- How Ashes Are Placed in Memorial Jewelry
- How Long Memorial Jewelry Lasts
- Resin vs Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewelry
- Glass vs Sealed Chamber Memorial Jewelry
- Sealed Chamber vs Self Fill Memorial Jewelry
- Glass vs Resin Memorial Jewelry
Frequently Asked Questions About Memorial Jewelry
Memorial jewelry is jewelry 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 jewelry 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 jewelry 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 jewelry are designed to be permanent, particularly sealed chamber jewelry where the ashes are fully enclosed. Other types may vary depending on how they are made.
Sealed chamber memorial jewelry is fully waterproof because the ashes are permanently sealed inside the metal. Glass memorial jewelry is also waterproof, as the ashes are fused within the glass. Other types may vary depending on how they are made.
In sealed chamber jewelry, ashes are permanently enclosed and cannot be removed. In self-fill jewelry, the compartment can be opened, although this may reduce security.
In some types, such as glass or resin jewelry, the ashes are visible within the design. In sealed chamber jewelry, the ashes are hidden inside the metal.
The lifespan of memorial jewelry depends on how it is made. Sealed chamber jewelry is designed to last a lifetime, while other types may change over time depending on the materials used.
Yes, some types of memorial jewelry can incorporate hair instead of ashes, depending on the design and method used.
Explore Memorial Jewelry
If you would like to explore our collection, you can browse our range of ashes jewelry including rings, necklaces and other pieces designed to hold ashes securely and respectfully.
