The ultimate guide to choosing your memorial keepsake jewellery 

(Updated: Octpber / 2023)

Losing someone who meant everything to us can hurt us in places we never thought possible.

Grief is raw, ugly and unpredictable. 

Our keepsakes are so much more than just jewellery. They can bring comfort, give you a warm emotional hug or remind you of favourite moments with your loved ones.

When we experience grief and loss, we ask ourselves what we can do with our loved one’s ashes. Is there something we can make from their belongings? Is there an alternative to traditional urns?

Immeryours can create a keepsake from more than just ashes; we can turn many things into personalised keepsake jewellery, like mementos, locks of hair, fur, horse mane, material from a favourite shirt and flowers, which are often sent to our studio.

Here is a little guide on choosing the best piece of keepsake jewellery for you.

Keepsake Jewellery created with Resin and Composite Stones

Resin is a lovely and adaptable medium to work with. We can create about any colour and style you desire. Almost anything can be incorporated into epoxy resin, which is one of the best multipurpose agents for keepsake jewellery. We never use UV resin to make your keepsakes; instead, we use and only work with high-quality Epoxy resin. Our Composite stones are a combination of your keepsakes, resin and semi-precious gemstones. Keepsakes like ashes, dried umbilical cord or hair can be incorporated into such keepsakes. 

Is it durable? 

Resin jewellery should be treated as delicately as possible, similar to fine Pearl and Opal jewellery. 

Pros:

• the most versatile medium for an artist to craft your keepsakes
• durable with correct maintenance, such as ongoing maintenance with a jewellery cloth and resin wax
• annual professional maintenance recommended 
• can last a lifetime with proper maintenance
• suitable for pendants, earrings, charms and bracelets
• suitable for rings if care instructions are followed, 

Cons:

• requires ongoing maintenance, at least monthly maintenance with a resin polish and cloth and yearly checkups.
• rings are not suitable to be worn 24/7
• The epoxy resin may react if exposed to chemicals like chlorine and other cleaning products. Epoxy is soluble in alcohol and acids, including vinegar; please avoid contact with these substances.
• Epoxy resin can shrink and expand depending on the surrounding temperatures and manufacture. Regular checking is required to ensure your keepsake stone does not become loose.
• Your epoxy may change colour over time, primarily white and transparent resin pieces. The lighter the shade of your stone, the more noticeable the colour change will be, regardless of added UV protection.
• professional maintenance is recommended at least annually to remove light surface scratches and any discolouration 

All our resin stones are cured in a custom-made pressure chamber. Casting under pressure is an excellent way to minimise the risk of shrinkage over time. Our epoxy resin is first placed in a vacuum chamber to remove trapped air bubbles. Later, the resin stone is placed in a pressure pot—your stone cures at 50PSI for a minimum of 10 hours. The pressure pot is one of our favourite tools in the studio as it aids in producing high-quality keepsake stones. Our promise to you is only to use the highest grade of jewellery resin available on the market.

Memorial Jewellery created with Ash Infused Glass 

Ashes can be incorporated into a glass cabochon or charm and then set into jewellery. All our ash-infused glass gemstones are created in-house, one at a time. We work with one of Australia’s leading gem-cutting Artist, to professionally facet your ash-infused glass gem to mimic the optic of gemstones. Glass is a very strong and durable material, and with proper care, your ash-infused glass gem can last for many years without needing to be replaced. In comparison, epoxy resin is more prone to damage over time and may need to be replaced.

Pros:

• can last a lifetime with proper care
• no discolouration over time
• depending on the jewellery design can be worn daily, similar to jewellery containing gemstones
• simple maintenance, such as wiping down with a wet microfibre cloth
• suitable for rings, pendants, earrings, charms and bracelets

Cons:

• limited design options compared to epoxy resin

Keepsake Jewellery created with genuine Gemstones

Choose from our genuine gemstones and diamonds in stock, or ask us to source a gemstone just for you. We work with both flatback cabochons and faceted gemstones. Your keepsake will be gently nestled below your sparkling gem as we gently set the stone over your keepsake. As always, we treat your keepsake with the utmost respect and carefully preserve it to ensure longevity. Many customers prefer this jewellery style if they do not want the keepsake to be visible. The wearer can then choose whether or not to share the special meaning behind their jewellery with others.

Pros:

• Cremation Jewellery can be worn daily, depending on your choice of gemstone
• Can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance
• Suitable for all jewellery styles and settings
• Some special care might be required for ring settings, e.g. softer stones like Opal and Pearls

Cons:

• some gemstones are softer than others, we are happy to guide you through and offer sensitive choices

 

Ash Infused Metal – Jewellery

Immeryours is home to the original ash-infused memorial jewellery. A unique design concept by Immeryours, respectfully crafted just for you in my studio in North Queensland. Your keepsake is directly infused into solid metals, like sterling silver and gold, allowing your most treasurable keepsake to be safely tugged away.

A gentle dance between fire and soul, like the ocean hugs the shore, this is how Immeryours works the metal around your precious keepsake. 

Our signature design, ash-infused rings, is both timeless and meaningful.

Pros:

• Ash-infused jewellery can be worn daily with normal care 
• It can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance
• Keepsakes are gently hidden away
• Some special care might be required for ring settings
• can be set with a gemstone of your choice

Cons:

• limited design options
• some gemstones are softer than others, we are happy to guide you through and offer sensitive choices

Urn-Style Keepsake Jewellery 

Keep your loved ones close with Urn and Lockets. This a beautiful alternative if you prefer not to send your keepsake to us and instead fill in your jewellery with your keepsake. Often designed to hold precious remains but can be filled with a lock of hair, fur and other precious mementos like beach sand or sand from a final resting place.

This type of keepsake jewellery is suitable to wear and protect your most valuable keepsakes every day due to being made from solid metals, like sterling silver white or yellow gold. 

Pros: 

• no need to send remains or hair away
• can be filled in the comfort of your own home

Cons:

• limited in design
• can be heavier than other memorial jewellery

Keepsakes created with Memorial Diamonds 

Cremation diamonds are made from the carbon contained in the ashes and hair. Please note that Immeryours is currently not offering Memorial Diamonds.

Pros: 

• Cremation diamonds will withstand the test of time
• visually very close to natural diamonds
• excellent brilliance and shine
• suitable for most jewellery styles and settings

Cons:

• price
• can take up to six months to be created by an external lab overseas

Keepsakes won’t bring back the person or pet we lost, but they can help us continue their story and comfort us when needed.

Where to go from here: 

You can download our keepsake guide with images here

And if you have any questions, please email us at any time.