collaborative guest post
A quick search online will reveal many suggestions for dealing with death and coping with grief. Going through the grieving process is different for everyone, but there are common ways that we find closure, often by following a predetermined roadmap for loss. Attending the funeral is often the first step towards closure, and then people will typically find their own way to say goodbye in their own way.
For some people, creating a lasting keepsake is one of the best ways they can find to experience closure. Ashes jewellery is not a new concept. People have been creating memorial keepsakes using the hair and ashes of their loved ones for as long as we’ve been making jewellery. In this guide, we’re exploring how ashes jewellery is made and how to choose the right kind of jewellery for your needs.
What is jewellery made from ashes?
Jewellery made from ashes is growing in popularity as a way to create a lasting keepsake for those dealing with loss and grief. There are many different types of jewellery available, including jewellery made from precious metals and gemstones made from ashes. For those dealing with the loss of a pet, it’s also possible to find jewellery with a small compartment to hold the pet's hair.
In short, there are many different options available, but all are designed to help those dealing with a loss to feel some sense of comfort from their jewellery. People wear their jewellery as a source of strength and reassurance that the spirit of their loved one will always be with them. It could also become a beloved family heirloom.
What jewellery is available?
There are three main types of ashes jewellery available. The first is hidden compartment jewellery. With this option, the ashes are contained in a small hidden compartment that is permanently sealed.
The second kind of jewellery is precious gemstone jewellery made from ashes. Modern technology makes it possible to turn human ashes into a lab-grown diamond. However, this method is very expensive and often results in inferior diamonds that do not retain their value.
Finally, you can also choose glass gemstone jewellery. With this option, the ashes are enveloped in molten glass and this is when hardened, shaped and polished to perfection. The ashes are suspended in the glass gemstone which can then be mounted on a piece of jewellery like a pendant or a ring.
Which are the best materials or ashes jewellery?
When choosing ashes jewellery, it’s vital to pick materials that will stand the test of time. For hidden compartment jewellery, you would want to look for jewellery made from precious metals like gold or silver. You can select a metal colour that matches your skin tone and that you are more likely to want to wear every day.
Glass is a suitable material for holding ashes as it is incredibly durable and won’t break down over time. It’s a material that is very resistant to sunlight and water, which makes it suitable for everyday wear.
If you do choose to have your ashes turned into a diamond, bear in mind that the cost of this process will be much higher than the final value of the diamond. In this sense, it would be more cost-effective to choose a piece of hidden compartment jewellery with a real diamond in the mount, rather than paying to have your ashes turned into a diamond.
Ashes diamonds tend to have a dirty yellow hue and will often contain many inclusions that impact the fire of the diamond.
What should you avoid when choosing ashes jewellery?
The one material that should be avoided at all costs when it comes to ashes jewellery is resin. Resin is a composite plastic that starts out as a liquid, but then it hardens when it is cured. Some jewellery designers will offer to suspend the ashes in resin, often alongside other decorative elements such as small flowers.
This method is not suitable for ashes jewellery as the resin will break down over time. This can release the ashes and leave the wearer feeling distraught that their loved one’s ashes have been lost or damaged.
Instead, we recommend hidden compartment jewellery or glass gemstones as the only durable way to protect the ashes. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your ashes are safe. If you have your heart set on diamond jewellery – for an engagement ring, for example – then it is far better to choose a lab-grown diamond set in hidden compartment jewellery.
Closing thoughts
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to selecting jewellery made from ashes (see Ashes With Art). The important thing is to choose a timeless style that matches your personality, so you will always want to wear the piece. Avoid anything too trendy, as this can date the piece and might make you reluctant to continue wearing it once the trend has passed.
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