Updated November 2025
By Cam Roberts, Founder & Head Designer, Petals and Keepsakes – 7 years crafting custom ashes jewelry
Losing someone — whether a parent, spouse, child, or beloved pet — leaves a hole that nothing can ever fully fill. But over the nearly two decades I’ve spent hand-crafting cremation jewelry, I’ve seen one truth over and over: wearing a small portion of their ashes (or a lock of fur) turns an abstract memory into something you can touch, hold, and feel every single day.
This guide is the most complete resource on the internet for cremation jewelry, ashes jewelry, and memorial keepsakes for both people and pets. It is designed to be your single starting point (our “pillar” page), with every major sub-topic linking out to deeper cluster guides we’ve written based on the thousands of families we’ve served.
What Is Cremation Jewelry Exactly?
Cremation jewelry (also called ashes jewelry, memorial jewelry, or remembrance jewelry) is a wearable keepsake designed to hold a symbolic amount of cremated remains, a lock of hair, funeral flowers, or even earth from a burial site.
There are three main methods we use at Petals and Keepsakes:
- Resin-infused ashes – Cremated remains are permanently sealed inside clear or colored resin.
-
Diamond infused ashes – Ashes are fused into a chamber behind a diamond
-
Hollow urn pendants / chambers – A tiny threaded compartment inside the piece
Each method is 100% permanent and waterproof when done correctly.
→ Want to see the difference side-by-side? Read our detailed comparison: Ashes Jewelry Types: Urn Pendants vs Resin vs Diamond (2025 Update)
Why Families Choose Cremation Jewelry (Real Data From 4,800+ Orders)
In 2024 we surveyed 1,237 recent customers. Here’s what they told us:
| Reason | % of Respondents | Most Common Quote |
|---|---|---|
| “I panic I’ll forget their voice/smell” | 64% | “I can touch the necklace and remember exactly how she felt” |
| Helps with grief anxiety when apart | 51% | “I wore it to my first day back at work — I wasn’t alone” |
| Children or grandchildren can inherit | 47% | “My daughter will have Grandma with her on her wedding day” |
| Pet-specific: “My dog went everywhere with me” | 38% | “He slept on my pillow — now he still does” |
These aren’t hypotheticals — they’re direct responses from real families.
Most Popular Styles in 2025
- Cremation Necklaces / Pendants – 68% of all orders → Explore 50+ designs: Cremation Necklaces for Ashes
- Ashes Rings – Rising fastest (especially men’s styles) → Full collection: Memorial Rings That Hold Ashes
- Bracelets & Cuffs – Great for people who don’t wear necklaces → See options: Cremation Bracelets & Bangles
- Keychains & Ornaments – Discreet daily carry → Collection: Non-Wearable Memorial Keepsakes
- Pet-Specific Collection – Paw prints, nose prints, fur-infused resin → Dedicated pet portal: Pet Memorial Jewelry & Ashes Keepsakes
How to Safely Add Ashes (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the professional process we follow in-house:
- Use only ⅛–¼ teaspoon of ashes (pinch-sized).
- For resin: ashes mixed at exact ratio to prevent clouding, then UV-cured in layers.
- Final waterproof test + engraving (if requested).
We’ve filled over 20,000 pieces and have the process down to a science.
→ See examples with photos & video: How to Fill Cremation Jewelry Safely
Choosing the Perfect Piece — Questions I Ask Every Customer
- Who are you honoring? (different styles suit mothers, fathers, children, pets differently)
- Do you want the ashes visible or hidden?
- Daily wear or special occasions?
- Metal allergies or preferences?
- Budget range? (pieces start at $79, custom diamonds from ashes begin at around $1,000)
Still unsure? Reach out to us and we can help decide: Contact Us
Care & Cleaning (Tested for 10+ Years)
- Sterling silver: polish with sunshine cloth monthly
- 14k gold: almost zero maintenance
- Resin & Glass: warm water + mild soap only — never ultrasonic
- All our pieces are guaranteed for life against defects
→ Complete care guide: How to Clean & Protect Your Cremation Jewelry
Pet Memorial Jewelry — Because Fur Babies Deserve Forever Too
35% of our orders in 2025 have been for pets. We treat every dog, cat, horse, rabbit, or bird with the same reverence as human memorials. Popular choices:
- Paw print + ashes heart necklaces
- Cremation rings with fur added over top
- Fur-infused bracelets or keychains (no cremation needed)
→ Visit our pet-only hub: Pet Loss & Memorial Jewelry Collection
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated November 2025)
Q: Can you turn ashes into diamonds? A: No — we used to partner with two certified labs, but have changed directions due to controversy over lack of ashes in the process. We've created a new process where we add the ashes that you can visible see behind the diamond of your choice. Details here: Ashes into Diamonds Guide
Q: Is it weird to wear ashes every day? A: 91% of our surveyed customers wear theirs daily. It’s comfort, not weird.
Q: How much ashes do you need? A: Less than a pinch. You keep 99.9% with you or scattered & we send back anything we don't use.
Q: Can multiple family members have pieces from the same loved one? A: Absolutely — we regularly split one loved one’s ashes across 5–15 pieces.
Final Thoughts
Several years ago I made my first cremation pendant for my own grandfather. I still wear it. That piece taught me that grief doesn’t have to be carried alone — it can be carried close.
If you’re ready to keep your person — or your pet — with you forever, start here: Browse Our Full Cremation Jewelry Collection →
Need help choosing? Call or chat — we answer 7 days a week, and every conversation is with someone who has been exactly where you are.
With love and deepest sympathy, Cam Roberts Founder & Head Designer, Petals and Keepsakes Helped 20,000+ families since 2020
P.S. New in 2025 — we now offer engraving for every item, plus a new split style ring made with resin infused with ashes. See it first here: New Arrivals