Unlocking Sentimental Beauty: What is Cremation Jewellery
Cremation jewellery represents connection and a story. It’s a beautiful keepsake to honour your loved one. These pieces can either house cremated remains or be used to create the jewellery itself.
At Simple Choice Cremation, we’re proud to partner with fellow Canadian company Eternity’s Touch to offer keepsakes you and your family will cherish for generations.
The Meaning Behind Cremation Jewellery
Mourning jewellery became popular when Queen Victoria, after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, began to wear a brooch that contained locks of his hair. Today, people around the world keep their loved one’s memory alive in similar ways. The growing popularity of cremation has led to even more personalized options for families.
How Cremation Jewellery Works: Types and Styles to Choose From
Generally speaking, there are three main types of cremation jewellery: urn, infused, and fingerprint. Urn jewellery items include a special compartment to store a small quantity of cremated remains. However, the same term may also be used for jewellery that stores locks of hair or even a photo. Infused pieces are typically more complex as the cremated remains are used to create the item itself. Fingerprint jewellery has an engraving of a loved one’s fingerprint.
These pieces come in various styles, materials, and types for every kind of jewellery-wearer. Whether you’re looking for something for special occasions or every day, there’s a suitable choice.
Necklaces
One of the most common kinds of cremation jewellery, necklaces allow you to keep your loved one close to your heart. They come in both classic and personalized styles. For example, you might consider a treble clef pendant for a music lover or a soccer ball for a sports fan. If you’re looking for something more subtle and classic, there are options like a bar, infinity swirl, or cross.
Earrings
These days, cremation jewellery isn’t limited to the traditional options of a ring or necklace. There are several choices for those who’d prefer earrings, such as an urn pendant for each ear or other styles that infuse the cremated remains into the material, like the Serenity Glass earrings from Eternity’s Touch.
Rings
Cremation rings are commonly available in a variety of styles. Signets, infused gemstones like opal, and even diamonds may be included. Common materials include gold, gold plating, sterling silver, stainless steel and titanium. For a unique option, some retailers offer rings made from wood.
Bracelets
Suitable for everyday and special occasions, memorial bracelets can be found with fingerprints, charms, urn bars and pendant options. Whether you’re looking for something classic like a chain link bracelet, full of personality like a charm bracelet, or simple and subtle like a lava stone leather piece, there’s something for your style and needs.
Fingerprint Jewellery
Fingerprint jewellery is becoming popular for its tangible and personalized touch. These pieces can be made in various ways to suit your needs and budget best. Methods include laser, hand-printing, low-wax cast, metal clay, and CNC (Computer Numerical Control). The final result can either have a lifelike impression or a flat feel.
While every company has their own unique method, Eternity’s Touch accepts any kind of fingerprinting, including digital images and clay imprints. Everything is stored in an encrypted database for the safest and most secure process. Available pieces include pendants, rings, tie pins and clips, cufflinks, keyrings, and holiday ornaments.
Infused Handblown Glass (Resin)
Handmade by artists, glass-blown art is a beautiful way to memorialize your loved one. Through the intricate process of infusing cremated remains into glass, you can have a unique piece to pass down for generations to come. From simple opaque to one-of-a-kind galaxy designs, there are many beautiful options to choose from.
Memorial Diamonds
For an elegant and truly one-of-a-kind keepsake. A diamond can be formed by using carbon from hair or cremated remains. Some companies create the diamond using only the carbon from the cremated remains and hair, while others infuse it with a laboratory-grown diamond made from generic carbon.
Memorial diamonds aren’t limited to traditional diamonds. They can also come in various colours, cuts, and carats. Because of its complexities, the process can take around 7-10 months.
Customizing Cremation Jewellery
Once you’ve chosen the type of jewellery and the style, the final choice is whether or not to customize it. This can be an even more tangible way to feel close to your loved one. Here are some ideas for how to give your keepsake a personal touch:
Engraving Text or a Signature
Did your grandmother have a phrase that she always said? Or did your uncle have a favourite song lyric? You might consider memorializing this text on the back of your pendant. This can also be done with their signature if you have a copy.
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
A photo of the person or the two of you together can keep their memory close to your heart. Photos can be included on the back or inside of some pendants.
Choosing the Right Cremation Jewellery
Selecting the right piece of cremation jewellery, all comes down to your preference. As you browse through your options, here are three things to keep in mind:
1. Practicality
How often do you plan on wearing your jewellery? Are you looking for something you can wear daily or on special occasions? This can help you decide whether you want something elegant, like a diamond ring, or simple, like an infinity swirl necklace.
2. Composition
Some durable and hypoallergenic materials include sterling silver, cobalt, ceramic carbide, platinum, and leather. Pieces made from gold are typically safe for sensitive skin. However, you may want to consider how many karats it is if you have sensitive skin. 24k gold is pure and hypoallergenic, but it’s too soft to be durable. If you’re looking for gold jewellery made for sensitive skin, it’s best to read which other metals are used.
3. Subtlety
While some people prefer a customized piece that starts conversations and helps them share the story of their loved one, others prefer pieces that are more unassuming to keep their mini-memorial private. Decide what kind suits you best.
Preserving Memories with Cremation Jewellery
Cremation jewellery can be a beautiful way to keep your loved one’s memory near in a tangible way. It can provide comfort in the present moment and create a priceless heirloom to be kept in the family for generations. To explore other ways to memorialize your loved one, please read our blog post: What are some typical things people do with a loved one’s cremated remains?
