Caring for ashes jewelry is about more than just maintaining a beautiful accessory, it's a heartfelt way to honor your loved one. When you choose a memorial keepsake from Petals and Keepsakes, you’re investing not only in a stunning piece of jewelry but also a cherished remembrance with deep emotional meaning. That’s why every piece deserves thoughtful care to keep its brilliance alive for years to come.
What Makes Ashes Jewelry Special
Each memorial item is handmade from a blend of your inclusions (ashes), specialized resin, and quality metals like sterling silver, gold-filled, or solid gold. These unique materials work together to create your personalized keepsake, but their differences mean certain cleaning habits matter more than you might realize.
Protecting the Custom Stone (Resin Element)
The resin “stone” is engineered for durability but is sensitive to:
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Sunlight/UV Exposure: Store your jewelry safely away from sunny spots or harsh lamps to avoid discoloration or softening over time.
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Extreme Temperatures: Avoid leaving your jewelry in hot cars or near stoves/radiators. Sudden heat can quickly damage resin.
- Harsh Chemicals/Solvents: Prevent exposure to chemicals, especially solvents, which can cause the resin to turn yellow, become scaly or even chip.
Caring for the Metal Setting
The metal surrounding your keepsake stone adds strength and style. Each metal type requires its own level of attention:
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Sterling Silver: Tends to tarnish with exposure to oxygen and water, but gentle polishing restores its shine. Regular light maintenance helps it look its best.
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Gold Vermeil: This gold-over-silver look is beautiful and budget-friendly, but the plating will wear down with time. Tarnish is not covered under the lifetime warranty, so careful maintenance is important.
- Gold Filled/Solid Gold: These options are most durable and hold up well to daily wear, with minimal upkeep required.
Everyday Habits for Long-Lasting Beauty
Follow these simple guidelines to keep your jewelry shining:
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First On, Last Off: Put your ashes jewelry on after you finish your morning routine, and take it off before bedtime or chores.
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Remove for Water Activities: Even though your jewelry is water-resistant, take it off before swimming, showering, or bathing to protect resin and metal from harsh chemicals and accelerated tarnish.
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Wait for Cosmetics to Dry: Don’t wear your keepsake until hairspray, perfume, lotions, sunscreen, or hand sanitizer have dried completely, these can harm the resin stone.
- Remove During Physical Activity: Take off your jewelry before exercising, gardening, or cleaning. Sweating and contact with rough surfaces can scratch resin or bend softer metals.
Safe Cleaning Tips
When your jewelry needs a refresh, clean it gently:
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Never Soak: Avoid soaking the entire piece in water or jewelry cleaner.
- Use Mild Soap: Gently wipe the stone with a soft cloth, warm water, and a tiny drop of mild soap.
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Pat Dry: After cleaning, rinse the stone with clean water and immediately pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Make sure no moisture remains.
- Polish Metal Carefully: Use jewelry-specific polishing cloths for metal. Avoid touching the resin stone with the cloth.
Smart Storage
Keep your jewelry in a cool, dark spot, soft pouches or temperature-controlled boxes are ideal. Less exposure to air and humidity means less tarnish and longer-lasting shine.
Metal Choices for Everyday Wear
Planning to wear your jewelry every day? Gold Filled or Solid Gold options provide maximum durability with minimal daily care. For more information, explore all available Gold Filled pieces in our collection.
Our Lifetime Promise
We’re committed to lasting quality. Petals and Keepsakes gives you a lifetime warranty on every custom-made item. This covers our craftsmanship, but with proper routine care, you can also prevent excluded issues like Gold Vermeil tarnish.
Still have questions or need repairs? Reach out to us anytime. We're always here to help you honor the memories that matter most to you.
For deeper insights into why cremation jewelry has become such a meaningful tribute, check out our blog post: Why Is Cremation Jewelry Becoming More Popular Today?.