Honouring Loved Ones Through Custom Remembrance Jewellery
As a Designer and Goldsmith specialising in custom jewellery, I’m often asked how I celebrate the lives of my own parents, who have both passed. Fortunately, I have the privilege of creating jewellery, which allows me to craft deeply personal memory pieces — something I want to be able to do the same for others.
What is Memorial Jewellery?
Memorial jewellery offers a heartfelt way to honour and eternalise loved ones who have passed. It allows you to carry a piece of them with you, no matter where life takes you. More than just a tribute, it transforms loss into something tangible and beautiful — a symbol of love that never fades.
The History of Memorial Jewellery
Remembrance jewellery has evolved significantly from its historical roots in Memento Mori, the mourning jewellery popular from the 16th to 18th centuries. Today, rather than focusing on death, these modern pieces emphasise the ongoing connection with loved ones. Remembrance jewelry often featured engravings of loved ones or had hidden compartments to hold tiny keepsakes — like a lock of hair or a small part of their remains. It was a deeply personal way to keep someone close, even after they were gone.
Memorial jewellery became more mainstream in the Victorian era when Prince Albert passed away in 1861 and Queen Victoria wore black jewellery for decades afterwards.
Today, rather than focusing on death, these modern pieces emphasize the ongoing connection with loved ones.
What can be used to make Memorial Jewellery?
Cremation jewellery is deeply personal, which is why there are endless ways to design a piece that feels uniquely yours.
Each piece is designed to hold a particular piece of remembrance:
- Ashes
- Hair
- Dried Flowers
- Fingerprints
- Soundwaves of a loved one's voice
The jewellery can also be made into many different styles:
- Lockets
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Pendants
One of the most extraordinary innovations is the transformation of ashes into memorial diamonds. Though this process is rare and costly, with only one company globally (Algordanza) offering it, it’s an incredible way to carry someone with you forever.
What about Heirloom Jewellery?
Not everyone has heirloom jewellery they want to repurpose, and that’s where custom cremation jewellery comes in. Many of my clients ask for discreet ways to incorporate ashes into their jewellery, allowing them to keep a connection to their loved ones without it being immediately obvious to others.
We also repurpose heirloom jewellery for clients. You can reach out to us here to chat about a custom design using heirloom jewellery.
Examples of Memorial Jewellery
Here are some of the ways we have honoured these requests:
- Resin-Filled Rings: Precious metal bands with a central insert of resin infused with ashes. These can have a natural, grey-speckled appearance or be tinted with coloured pigments to mimic gemstones.
- Custom “Gemstones”: Resin-based stones infused with ashes and customised with colours that hold significance, often paired with the family’s birthstones.
Each piece tells a story, capturing love, memory, and legacy in a wearable form. Whether made from repurposed heirlooms or newly crafted, remembrance jewellery is a beautiful way to celebrate life and keep those we cherish close to our hearts.
My Personal Custom Remembrance Jewellery
One of my favourite pieces is a pendant I made from my father’s wedding ring. I reshaped it into a heart and set a small diamond cluster from a ring my dad once gave my mom. The funny part? My dad actually “bought” that ring using my mom’s credit card — something we all laughed about as a family. Now, every time I wear this pendant, it reminds me of the love, humour, and warmth that filled our crazy home.
Tell Their Story Through Keepsake Jewellery
Each piece tells a story, capturing love, memory, and legacy in a wearable form. Whether made from repurposed heirlooms or newly crafted, memorial jewellery is a beautiful way to celebrate life and keep those we cherish close to our hearts.
If you’re considering a memorial piece, here’s how the custom process works. I’d love to help you create something truly special, so please get in touch.
