If you are reading this, chances are you’ve lost someone you loved – our sincerest condolences.
This blog post will give an overview the different options of memorial jewelry.
What is memorial jewelry?
Memorial (or remembrance) jewelry is custom jewelry made in a way that reminds you of deceased people that meant something special to you. It is a way to honor our loved ones that have passed away. A way to keep the deceased close, even after they are gone.
Many people choose to have memorial jewelry made for the loss of their husband, wife, daughter, son, mother, father, sister, or brother as these people are typically the closest in our lives. But cousins, people unrelated to us that had a special meaning to us, dogs, cats or other animals that have been part of our families, can all be kept alive through a piece of jewelry you can wear with nostalgia every day.
Memorial jewelry with photo
Memorial jewelry with photos are great because they also preserve the memory of the deceased as they really were. There are different options for making jewelry with photos, and they are not created equally as we will shortly see.
Arilie (that's us!) specializes in making pendants based on photos, resulting in an embossed true-to-life 3D look. We use a combination of modern techniques and centuries old gold and silversmithing to create unique pieces that you will want to wear forever. We are committed to materials of highest quality, and only work in recycled sterling 925 silver, and 14K gold.
We also offer a portrait on one side of the medallion, and writing on the back.
Find out more here.
Memorial jewelry engraved
The cheapest option is laser engraving. This is a cheap option, but might look a little too machine-made depending on your taste. There are lots of options on Etsy here for anywhere between $40-$500. When shopping around for these, ask yourself if you will want to wear this in 5-10 years. And beware of the materials used! See our materials guide.
Traditional hand engraving is also possible, but it’s almost impossible to find a capable engraver today, and it will be extremely costly. This is about as good as you can find it today, and you never see them offering portraits of people, simply because they can't. For some really expensive and high quality engravers see https://www.instagram.com/castrosmith and https://www.instagram.com/elirdjewellery. These engravers will charge you 1000's for a piece.
Memorial jewelry with fingerprint or handwriting
Fingerprints or handwriting can be a beautiful way to keep your loved ones alive. Laser engraving is often used for this, and comes with the same downside as described above. Many real jewelers can also offer hand engraving of this kind, which has the benefit of looking higher quality than laser engraving.
Memorial jewelry with ashes and hair
You can carry ashes or a lock of hair of the deceased in a little locket, or screw cap container that can safely keep it in. Be absolutely sure that the jewelry is very high quality and does not open suddenly after a couple of years. Getting your loved ones ashes blown all over you is a devastating experience. Similarly devastating can it be to lose the lock of hair kept in an unsafe locket. Make absolutely sure the container doesn’t open up, before buying a piece. Here are some Etsy options for lockets.
Our advice
A word of advice: Beware of the materials used in many cheap options. Look out for the materials used, they must either be "Sterling Silver" of purity 925 or higher, or 9K to 18K gold. 18K is possible as well, but anything higher will be too soft. Anything lower than 9 is too impure.
Make sure the jewelry you purchase is made with care, of outstanding materials, and of a form and with a subject that will stand the test of time. Go for something classic if you are in doubt. Cheap jewelry is not likely to be worn in 5-10 years. The truth is you will probably become tired of it, and stop wearing it, leaving it behind at the bottom of your jewelry box. This is not a worthy place for the memorial of your loved one.
