People tend to feel like fashion is a highly personal statement. It says who they are and what they value in a very outspoken way. For many, it’s a way to honor family and friends. Cremation jewelry is much more popular than people might expect. In fact, it’s a tradition that dates back many centuries, to ancient cultures. The common thread running through is that the remains of people are important. They deserve to be remembered.
That leads to an interesting combination of filial piety and fashion. It’s important to show others that a loved one holds an important spot in a person’s life. It’s also nice to have something that wears well, looks great and matches an aesthetic spotlessly. With all the varieties of cremation jewelry, it’s possible to achieve that for almost any style. Thousands of options in a variety of materials, and it’s pretty easy to make them unique. That way, families and friends can have a tiny memorial that showcases a picture or a name, or remains a little secret that they can keep close to them, no matter where they are.
History of Cremation Jewelry
England’s Queen Victoria made the idea of cremation jewelry quite popular. But its history is much older. Religious relics have been important to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and others. In this belief, members imbue the remains of important people with meaning. It’s not enough to bury their remains and create a prominent grave. In many cases, their remains are on full display, as a shrine to their great acts or sacrifice.
For thousands of years, people have taken pilgrimages to visit sacred places. For example, faithful Catholics might travel to Canterbury Cathedral to see the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket. This practice was memorialized in the tales written down by Geoffrey Chaucer during the 14th Century. It was not enough to listen to stories about saints or pray to them. Seeing is believing.
This premise led to the use of reliquary jewelry. This type of jewelry is usually believed to hold a portion of bone or ashes of a saint or other holy person. Whether or not it actually contains that person’s remains has long been a matter of debate. But people believe it does.
If people know anything about Queen Victoria, they typically know that she was quite small in stature and spent more than half of her 63-year reign in mourning for her husband. She was married to Prince Albert for about 21 years. When he died in 1861, she devoted much of the next forty years in outward mourning. This included several prominent pieces of mourning jewelry. For example, she wore a bracelet with multiple charms on it. Each one contained some kind of memento, like a lock of hair or a picture. By the time she died in 1901, it had more than a dozen lockets of various designs. This turned mourning jewelry into a trend that continues to this day. People love to wear pieces that remind them of their loved ones.
Types of Cremation Jewelry
There are many different types of cremation jewelry. It depends on what people are hoping to get. For example, pieces that can hold a pinch of ashes must have a container to hold them. This means that they have to be large enough to have an opening that can be sealed. However, since this jewelry isn’t designed to hold a lot of ashes, they can still look like other pieces of jewelry. This way, it can be a secret that the wearer keeps close, or something that they can feel free to share with others.
Bracelets and Rings
Although many people think of pendants for cremation jewelry, there are several options for bracelets and rings, as well. In bracelets, there is typically a barrel or larger piece on links or a chain to hold the ashes. This makes it easy for family members to fill it, seal it and wear it happily. The other side of the container might have space for engraving, as well. People could also have a cremation diamond made to fit into the bracelet or a ring, as a way to add interest or uniqueness to the design.
Pendants
Pendants are one of the most popular styles of cremation jewelry. This is a piece that comes in shapes like a barrel, heart, cross and more. It’s easy to find lots of variety here, in both materials and design. Options with pictures or additional charms to go on a chain, along with engraving, are readily available. Although most people prefer to put the pendant on a chain, they aren’t required to. They may prefer to attach it to a pin or another clasp. This would allow them to pin it to a jacket in a prominent place for an important occasion.
Keychains
For people who do not typically wear jewelry, keychains may be a pleasant alternative. Like pendants, cremation keychains can come in a variety of sizes and styles. In most cases, the keychain contains a steel loop that can hold keys. On the loop may be a dog tag or a barrel that can hold the ashes. This allows people to customize the look as they prefer. And if they want, they can put the loop on a chain to wear around the neck.
How to Use Cremation Jewelry
One of the reasons people like cremation jewelry is that it is so versatile. It comes in a variety of sizes and styles, and can coordinate with different outfits. Like other keepsake urns, cremation jewelry allows families to share the ashes among many people. This means that if someone wants to buy a set of matching cremation jewelry with a pinch of ashes for each person as a gift, it’s easy to achieve. And if they want to have a variety of pieces that they can change on the day, they can still have their loved one close by.
Cremation jewelry is generally pretty easy to fill and seal. Most options come with a barrel for the ashes and a tiny funnel to drop them in. Add a little glue on the screw band and this will provide a tight, lasting seal. Although the space for ashes is often very small, it does not necessarily need to contain them. Some people like to put in a small lock of hair because it will usually fit in the same space.
People should choose a strong chain for pendants and avoid wearing it during activities where it might catch. The jewelry piece itself may be relatively simple to replace. The ashes, of course, cannot. In some cases, family members may want to take it off temporarily or wear it under clothing to protect it.
Cremation Jewelry for Pets
Many people are surprised to learn that cremation jewelry can also hold the remains of beloved pets. The Cremation Association of North America notes that pet cremation is one of the fastest-growing fields in the death care industry. In short, people want to have a proper final rest for their pets. Since most of them would choose cremation for themselves or their family members, it makes sense that they would do the same for their pets.
Cremated remains for pets are quite similar to human remains. The difference is primarily volume. Most pets are significantly smaller than adult humans, which means the cremation process produces less remains. Keepsake urns or cremation jewelry are ideal options to hold the remains of pets. This way, people can always remember their pets with a picture or a name right on the surface.
Cremation Jewelry Materials
Since cremation jewelry seems like a pretty niche area, people might not realize how many options are out there. There are thousands upon thousands. Families can usually start to shorten the list by considering the types of materials they prefer. Since they can be made from glass, wood, gold and more, the material tends to be the biggest factor affecting the list price. Some are more durable or easier to maintain than others. Comparing materials help people determine which options will be best for them.
Wood
Although many people imagine that metal is the most common style for cremation jewelry, it’s hardly the only one. Wood is a great choice to suit people looking for a more natural look. Although wood is a natural material that can’t be easily molded into any shape, there are tons of options for carving it into various designs. Wood can also sustain burned images, which is great for engraving a name or a date. This gives a rather unique look that is ideal for men and women.
Gold
When selecting gold cremation jewelry, people should consider the style that they are hoping to get, as well as their budget. Solid gold jewelry can be the most expensive on the market. It also comes in different colors, including yellow, rose and white. Most gold jewelry is an alloy of gold and other metals. Precious metals tend to be soft in their pure forms. This means that they’ll be difficult to turn into jewelry and they’ll break easily. By adding a percentage of something like nickel or copper, the gold lasts longer. For more affordable choices, families may want to look at gold-plated jewelry. This is a thin layer of gold wrapped around another metal like stainless steel.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the most popular choices for cremation jewelry. This is because it is stylish, durable and fairly affordable. It isn’t quite like silver, but gives a similar look for people who want that cool color and style without the price. It’s easy to buy and even easier to shape. This means that family members may have hundreds of options to choose from. The hardest part may be narrowing down the list. But at this price point, people may be able to afford more than one.
Silver
Of course, there are times when only silver will do. For a bit of an extra investment, silver gives a classic look and a shine like no other. Sterling silver is the preferred choice for jewelry items. This means that it contains mostly silver with a little bit of another metal, like copper or zinc. Sterling silver isn’t as soft as complete silver. It’s stronger and easier to shape into a style that suits angel wings, hearts or ovals. As a result, sterling silver tends to last a lot longer and require less upkeep than silver.
Glass
Glass jewelry gives an interesting appearance, for people hoping to get something far beyond the standard. Since glass isn’t cut to size from solid rock like diamonds, it can incorporate swirls of color to create a unique design. It can also be blown into virtually any shape, from a traditional heart or ball to squiggles and other whimsical design. Glass is often easy to see through, which is perfect for people who want to showcase the cremated remains inside.
Mixed Media
Of course, people may want to mix and match to create the ideal design. Skilled jewelry makers know how to combine metal and jewels, glass and wood to build jewelry that delights and appeals. Unique designs allow people to highlight a loved one’s hobbies or favorite memories. This turns the jewelry into an art piece that families can display when they are not wearing it.
Custom Options for Cremation Jewelry
Since each person is unique, families often want to memorialize them with a keepsake urn or cremation jewelry that is also one of a kind. Of course, with a 3D printer, people can turn almost any design into an urn. But even within the conventional choices, there are tons of ways to customize. People just need to think outside the box and determine what they think will look the best.
Photos
If people are going to customize an urn, even a piece of jewelry, a picture is quite popular. A picture is worth a thousand words, and it’s often hard to recreate the image of a person from memory after many years have gone by. A picture creates a bridge by which people can remember that quirky smile or those shockingly bright green eyes.
While many pieces of cremation jewelry can hold a tiny picture, some of them can even print the picture directly on the urn. This helps to ensure that the print is bright, clear, crisp and true to life. Printing methods work best on metal, typically stainless steel or gold. This allows more room for the pendant to function as an urn as well as a defining piece of a necklace. That way, it can be as small as a traditional locket, and just as precious.
Custom Engraving
People who aren’t familiar with custom engraving might not realize how easy it is to complete on even the smallest pieces. Those who have had a ring with a secret line of engraving on the inside of the band know. Tiny prints can hold a big message. Depending on the size of the urn and its material, families can usually get one or two lines of engraving. This might be enough to hold a name or a date. Many people opt for this as a reminder, and also a way to make it easily identifiable if it gets lost.
Some types of wood can handle laser engraving directly into the wood. This may even be able to create a person’s likeness on the surface. Other options include diamond-drag engraving, which uses the hardness of a diamond point to cut into metal. That creates a well to fill the engraving with a different color, which makes it easy to read.
How to Take Care of Cremation Jewelry
Taking care of cremation jewelry is only a little more complicated than handling other types of jewelry. People should select a case or a stand for the piece where it will remain safe when they take it off. Most pendant urns come with an optional chain made of steel. If customers want to use their own chain, they should confirm that it is in good condition without weak spots. Fine chains can wear out over time, especially if they are antiques or the pendant on the chain is heavy. This increases the likelihood that the chain can break, leading to a lost item. In many cases, it’s better to start with a new chain to ensure the best long-term result.
The best way to clean cremation jewelry depends on the material. Most can be wiped free of dust and dirt with a soft, dry cloth. People should avoid using harsh cleansers on any surface, since they may scratch or even weaken the material. Wood keepsakes should be kept dry. Using excessive water or soap to clean them could dry them out and cause the wood to crack. Silver needs a periodic polishing with a cloth that is specifically designed for silver. This can prevent tarnishing or remove signs of wear without a lot of work. A little attentive care to each piece on occasion will keep them in good condition for years to come.
Cremation Diamonds
Technological innovations have allowed family members to turn cremated remains into a variety of new things. One of them is a diamond. While this seems like something that belongs in science fiction, it’s real. To create a diamond, all that is needed is carbon, plus extreme amounts of pressure and heat. On the earth, it takes a really long time to make a diamond. Someone with the right equipment and materials can make a diamond within a few days.
Many people think that diamonds come from coal, but this isn’t entirely accurate. Diamonds can come from coal, but the major element to consider is carbon. As carbon-based life forms, humans have a lot of carbon. In fact, human bones contain about 15 percent carbon. That helps to explain how cremated remains, which are pulverized pieces of bone, can become a diamond.
All diamonds are unique, but these are even more special. With about one pound of ashes, professionals with the right tools can turn those remains into a diamond. By creating a huge amount of pressure and heat, the bones become graphite and eventually a diamond. This piece can then be cut and shaped to fit cremation jewelry or another piece. It’s hard to predict how the finished product will look. Cremation diamonds come in a variety of colors that depend largely on the remains themselves. The result is a beautiful, truly timeless piece that allows a loved one to shine for centuries.
Deciding on the best place for a person’s or a pet’s final rest is a difficult choice. While many people choose a cemetery, even for those who are cremated, others want something different. The difficulty of parting means that some cannot bear to be separated from a loved one. They want to keep a small amount of the person’s remains, in the form of ashes or a lock of hair, with them whenever they need it.
This highlights the importance of cremation jewelry in our culture. People need to show that they will remember a loved one for the rest of their lives. They might achieve that by getting a tattoo or wearing a piece of jewelry with a person’s name or picture engraved on it. That way, they don’t have to feel alone as they grieve.
