Cremation Jewelry Materials

Thinking about memorializing a loved one with a piece of cremation jewelry? This is often a difficult decision to make, not least because it’s one that you will make while grieving.

Cremation jewelry is growing in popularity as a way to keep the memory of a loved one close. It can enable you to feel connected to the spirit of the departed, keeping them close and feeling their love and support as you navigate this new stage of your life without them.

If you’re picturing miniature urns that could break open and spill the ashes, you couldn’t be further from the truth. With high-quality cremation jewelry, the ashes are safely contained within hidden compartments that are permanently sealed to keep the ashes safe.

In the past, artisan sellers may have offered resin jewelry as a way to memorialize your loved one, but this practice has largely been forgotten in favor of superior methods. Resin is not suitable for this purpose, as it will break down over time, allowing the ashes to be lost.

Instead, jewelers will offer jewelry made from precious metals that are designed to last a lifetime. This will allow you to create a stunning piece of jewelry that can be worn every single day, without worrying about damaging or losing the ashes.

In this guide, we’ll explore the properties of some of the most popular materials for creating cremation jewelry so you’ll have a better idea of which is the right one for you.

Gold cremation jewelry

Perhaps the most popular choice for cremation jewelry, gold is a timeless classic that is ideal if you have warm, olive, or neutral undertones. 

Not sure if you suit gold or silver? Simply look at the veins on your wrist. If they look more blue or purple, you are cool-toned and would suit silver. If they are more green, then you are warm or olive-toned, and you will suit gold. If you have a mixture, you may be neutral-toned, and this means you can wear either.

Of course, these rules only apply if you are concerned with color theory. Many people wear jewelry that is outside of these rules, and it makes little difference.

Gold is a popular choice as it is durable and understated. Gold jewelry can be solid gold, gold-plated, or a gold alloy, which produces a unique and interesting finish. For example, an alloy of gold and copper would create rose gold, which offers a warm and pinkish hue.

While gold is very durable, it is vulnerable to scrapes and chips, as it is a relatively soft metal. You can avoid this by simply removing your jewelry before taking on any difficult tasks like cleaning. 

Silver cremation jewelry

Silver is another popular choice for cremation jewelry, as it is incredibly durable and a little cheaper than solid gold. It is still a precious metal, and like gold, it is available as sterling silver or a silver plating over a cheaper metal such as brass.

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and copper, which helps to increase its strength and durability. 

Silver offers a beautiful shine and can be polished to a fine luster. It will tarnish over time, which is when the outer layer reacts to sulfur-containing gasses in the air. Some people like this effect on intricate and boho-style jewelry, as it can enhance the detail, but it is also very easy to remove using a silver polish.

Platinum cremation jewelry

The premium choice for cremation jewelry would be platinum. Platinum is a rare precious metal that offers incredible strength, durability, and wearability. It is known for being incredibly strong and will resist scratches and scrapes. 

It is also the most expensive, as it is incredibly rare. All of the platinum ever mined would fit inside a small room. Platinum does not tarnish; it is hypoallergenic, and it also offers an incredible luster. 

This is a popular choice for keepsake items that are designed to be worn on special occasions such as weddings and graduations. It could also be used to create incredible memorial keepsakes such as engagement rings or diamond earrings.

Glass gemstone cremation jewelry

Until this point, all of the jewelry choices are hidden compartment jewelry. This is created by making a small space in the jewelry, usually in the body of the pendant or the shank. The ashes are contained within, and then it is permanently welded shut. An alternative to this would be to create a glass gemstone.

This method is popular for creating bold and bright pieces of jewelry that will remind you of your loved one’s personality. You could also choose a gemstone color to match their birthstone.

Gemstones are created by heating small pieces of colored glass. The ashes are placed in the center, and the glass is rolled up around them, forming a small gemstone. This can be shaped into the desired shape before it is cooled and then polished.

These gemstones can then be placed in your perfect piece of jewelry. This could include pendant necklaces, bracelet charms, earrings, rings, and more. 

How to choose the right one for you

Choosing the right cremation jewelry materials can be difficult. You are choosing something that will last a lifetime, so you want to make sure it’s something that you still want to wear 10, 15, or 20 years down the line. Here are a few things to consider before making a final decision:

• Are you warm toned or cool toned? Choosing a metal based on your skin undertones can help to ensure that you pick something that compliments your skin tone. However, not everyone cares about this distinction and will be much more focused on making sure it’s something that they enjoy looking at.

• Will you wear it every day or just for special occasions? For everyday wear, you might want to choose a more durable metal, such as sterling silver or platinum. For items that you will only wear on special occasions, you might choose gold. Of course, you can still wear gold jewelry every day if you take steps to protect it.

• What is your budget? Often, budget is one of the biggest factors that individuals will have to consider. The cheapest option would be a sterling silver piece of jewelry, while the most expensive would be something made from platinum that contains diamonds. Remember that this is a piece of jewelry intended to last a lifetime, and you may pass this on to the next generation.

• Are you looking for classic and chic or bold and beautiful? You could choose a discreet and understated piece of jewelry that is designed to go unnoticed, or you could choose something that makes a little more of a statement. No one will know that it is a piece of memorial jewelry either way, but you have a choice in how much of a statement you make.

Final thoughts on cremation jewelry materials

As you can see, there are a lot of choices for creating your cremation jewelry. Think carefully about what you hope to achieve by creating this piece of jewelry, and this should help to inform the right materials for your memorial keepsake. Remember that this piece of jewelry will be your source of comfort and reassurance for years to come, so you want to select something that sparks joy.