Choosing a Cremation Jewelry Urn

When you consider the right kind of memorial for a loved one, you have a lot of options available. If your loved one was cremated, you can opt to have the remains buried, or keep them in a variety of urns, keepsakes, or cremation jewelry. As an urn, cremation jewelry continues to increase in popularity. You can find the most fitting tribute in a small piece that you can wear or display with honor. With this guide, you will know the most common types of cremation jewelry, the benefits and drawbacks of various jewelry materials, how to fill the urn, and how to ensure your cremation jewelry lasts as long as your memories.

Cremation jewelry looks much like any other type of jewelry, but it fills a special purpose. People buy cremation rings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, or keychains because they want to honor a loved one who has passed. The jewelry usually contains an urn that you can fill with a small amount of cremated remains. You may want to buy cremation jewelry for a variety of reasons, including:

• Keeping a loved one close to you
• Sharing remains among several family members and friends
• Providing a lasting memorial that takes up little space

Cremation jewelry often holds a very tiny amount of ashes, depending on the size of the urn. You might be able to fit a small pinch inside a cross or barrel urn, while round pendants could hold up to a quarter of a cubic inch of ashes.

Cremation jewelry makes a lovely option that you can choose to help you remember a loved one as you move through the grieving process. You can find options that suit any style of dress and work within your budget. As keepsakes, cremation jewelry makes a wonderful choice for gifts at a memorial service, burial, or scattering ceremony.

Cremation jewelry comes in a variety of types, including:

• Necklaces and pendants
• Bracelets
• Keychains
• Rings
• Photo jewelry

With this information, you can learn the appeal of each jewelry type, as well as the general costs.

Necklaces

Cremation jewelry necklaces allow you to keep a loved one close to your heart, making them the most popular type. Although most cremation jewelry in this style comes as a pendant, most people prefer to place it on a chain to make it easy to hang or display. Necklaces and pendants come in a variety of materials and styles, and most offer the ability to hold a pinch of ashes. Depending on the material and other components you might add to the necklace, these options cost $20 to $900 or more.

Bracelets

People who want a stylish way to honor a loved one may choose from a selection of cremation jewelry bracelets. In most cases, the bracelets have a component made of metal or wood that will hold a small amount of ashes or other tokens, usually in the shape of a barrel or heart. Bracelets cost $20 to $200, with price depending mostly on the type of material and the complication of the bracelet design.

Keychains

Keychain urns offer flexibility for people who want a constant reminder of a loved one, but who might not prefer to wear jewelry. Keychains can be as simple or complex as you like, with bright colors or natural styles. Keychain urns are usually made from stainless steel or wood, to increase their durability. The simplest keychains cost $15, while those with engraving or pictures might cost up to $100 or more.

Rings

Wearing a ring to honor a loved one is a tradition that dates to the Middle Ages. A ring is small and easily portable, able to hold a photograph, a lock of hair, or a small portion of ashes. Since rings are meant to be worn snugly, you’ll need to make sure that you get the right size when you order. Cremation rings cost $30 to $750 or more. Custom pieces or expensive materials, such as diamonds or gold, run up to $2,000 or higher.

Photo Jewelry

Photo jewelry became popular in the 1800s, particularly for remembering a loved one. People can add a photo to a pendant, ring, or keychain, available to look at whenever they want. These days, you can have a photo engraved directly onto a metal surface, so that the image remains as fresh as your memory. Photo jewelry comes in a variety of materials, including glass, metal, and composite materials. You can expect to pay $30 to $100 or more.

Cremation jewelry is made from a variety of materials, and some pieces will include more than one. Typically, you can choose from the following:

• Stainless steel
• Silver
• Gold vermeil
• 10KT, 14KT, or 18KT gold
• Glass
• Wood

By browsing through the different materials, you can find an option that suits your sense of style and your budget.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel offers a material that is generally easy to clean and maintain, with a beautiful shine that resembles silver. Stainless steel is more likely to hold up in a variety of environments, and it usually costs much less than silver or gold. It doesn’t have quite the luster of silver, which can be a drawback for some people. Typically, stainless steel cremation jewelry costs $15 to $150.

Silver

Sterling silver jewelry creates a brilliant luster that is iconic. If you love a cool color for a ring or pendant, silver is the way to go. Solid silver is too soft for many jewelry options, so many manufacturers add a small amount of another metal to increase durability. Silver can be harder to clean, and you’ll need to maintain it regularly to avoid tarnishing it. You may not find as many options in silver as you can in stainless steel, and you’ll pay $100 to $250 or more.

Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil makes an affordable alternative to jewelry with a higher gold content. Gold vermeil jewelry involves the use of stainless steel or sterling silver and a layer of gold plating that is at least 10KT. With this option, you get a durable piece of jewelry that looks like real gold, because the outer layer is real gold. You can still have photos or other engraving on the surface, and the result costs $50 to $250 or more.

10KT, 14KT, 18KT Gold

When you shop for gold cremation jewelry, the karat tells you how much of the material is made from solid gold. For example, 14KT gold cremation jewelry is a bit more than half gold, with other materials like nickel or copper to increase the durability. Higher karats may mean softer material, higher cost, and more upkeep. Then again, gold is a standard because there’s nothing else like it. You can get gold in a variety of colors, and the price point often gives you an amazing quality of craftsmanship. For these jewelry pieces, you can pay $500 to $2,000 or more.

Glass

Glass cremation jewelry offers an interesting alternative to the metal or stone materials common in jewelry. Glass is blown and shaped, which gives you the ability to get a piece with swirls of color or intricate designs. As long as you can avoid dropping or crushing the item, glass jewelry can be easy to clean and maintain. Since glass is a readily accessible material, you can expect to pay $20 to $100 for most options.

Wood

For those who want something that looks more natural or rustic, wood jewelry urns make an excellent option. You can get it in a variety of styles and colors, from a pale oak to a deep walnut. Keeping the wood from getting wet is key, and it can crack or scratch under pressure. If you’re willing to keep it dry and safe, you can get a lovely piece for $20 to $75 or more.

Before you choose a piece of cremation jewelry, you should answer a few questions about who you intend it for and how you will use it. The answers will help you narrow down the list of options, so that you can find the perfect one without having to spend hours searching.

Who Will Receive the Jewelry?

Buying cremation jewelry for yourself or someone in your household is easiest, because you can make choices or consult them directly. If you intend the piece for a friend or relative with whom you don’t spend a lot of time, you may want to ask them or someone in their household about the types of jewelry that they like to wear. Browse colors and materials that will go well with their style of clothing. Consider choosing a piece that they can easily wear and maintain, especially if they don’t have experience taking care of gold or silver.

How Will You Use It?

The way you will use the jewelry affects the types you might consider buying. If you want to wear the jewelry, consider options that will work well with the kind of clothing you would wear with it. Make sure that you won’t lose a pendant or accidentally send it through the wash with your clothing, or take off a ring to wash your hands and lose it.

If you would prefer to display the jewelry, you have a number of options:

• Display case
• Shadowbox
• Rearview mirror
• Ornament

When you choose an ornament or a piece for your rearview mirror, select materials that are less likely to break or scratch if they fall or come in contact with other surfaces.

Will It Hold Ashes?

Although many pieces of cremation jewelry can hold a pinch of ashes, you don’t necessarily have to put remains in them. If you don’t have access to the ashes, or if you don’t want to put them in the urn, you can choose other things, such as:

• Lock of hair
• Soil from a burial site
• Small snippet of clothing
• Slip of paper with a message

If you want to put ashes in the jewelry, confirm that you understand where the ashes will be kept and how much you can put inside it. Some cremation jewelry pieces do not have an urn.

You could ask the funeral home or crematorium if they can fill the cremation jewelry for you, but you can also do it yourself. To complete this task, you’ll need the cremated remains, a small funnel with a tip that fits inside the urn opening, and some super glue or silicone epoxy to permanently seal the urn. To fill the urn, you should complete the following steps:

• Find a flat surface for the project, and remove clutter.
• Place the bag of ashes on the surface, and open it.
• Inspect the jewelry for signs of damage, and find the opening to the urn.
• Open the urn, which may require pulling a plug or twisting a cap.
• Place the tip of the funnel into the urn.
• Scoop a small amount of ashes and pour it into the funnel.
• Shake or jiggle the funnel a little to allow the remains to move.
• Confirm that you have enough room to close the urn, and remove some ashes if necessary to close the urn.
• Set the piece as you would like it to lay, and add a dab of super glue or epoxy to the closed urn to seal it.
• Allow the glue to cure for 24 to 48 hours before wearing.

If the jewelry has a threaded closure, make sure that the urn is completely closed before you add the glue. 

To care for your cremation jewelry urns, you should plan to keep the jewelry dry and generally safe. If you don’t seal the urn permanently, there is a possibility that it could come open or get lost during movement. Avoid submerging the jewelry in water. Jewelry may be water-resistant, but it is usually not waterproof. Swimming pools often have harsh chemicals that can damage the surface or cause the urn to open. Soaps and solutions you use in the shower can damage the jewelry, as well.

To clean the jewelry, buy a microfiber cloth to remove dust or debris. A damp cloth can remove spills or stains from metal or glass, but you may prefer to use a wood polish for wood jewelry. Keep a polishing cloth for silver, and polish it every few months to keep the shine.

Can you shower with cremation jewelry?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t shower with cremation jewelry because you could damage it. Harsh soaps and other solutions can scratch or weaken the material, making it more likely to warp or break. To protect your cremation jewelry, you should set it in a dry place before you perform routine hygiene tasks.

What finger do you wear a cremation ring on?

You don’t have to wear a cremation ring on any particular finger. For a spouse or partner, you might wear a cremation ring on your ring finger. For other loved ones close to you, wearing a cremation ring on your forefinger or pinky also works. Remember to measure your ring size before you buy, so that you can be sure it will fit snugly.

How much ashes do you need for cremation jewelry?

The amount of ashes you need for cremation jewelry ranges from a small pinch to a quarter of a cubic inch. Keep in mind that you don’t have to fill the urn completely full with ashes, if you only have a small amount.

Now that you have everything you need to know, you can start shopping for the ideal piece of cremation jewelry. Cremation jewelry allows you to remember a loved one when you need it most, with a lovely token or photo to keep your memories sharp. Before you make a choice, you should confirm that you understand the benefits and considerations for the various options:

Jewelry Type: Necklaces, bracelets, keychains, rings, or photo jewelry

Jewelry Material: Stainless steel, silver, gold vermeil, solid gold, glass, or wood

Cost: $15 to $2,000, paying the most for 18KT gold

Many people grieve the loss of a loved one, especially those who were close to them in life. With cremation jewelry, you can feel your loved ones close to you again.

Cremation jewelry lets you feel a loved one near while remembering them in a special keepsake fitting your style and cost needs. This meaningful, affordable option makes honoring a loved one's memory close to your heart achievable.

MEET THE EXPERT

Susan Fraser, founder of In The Light Urns Inc., has spearheaded innovation in the memorial industry since 2001. After a personal tragedy, she created custom cremation urns for ashes reflecting a lost loved one's individuality and still speaking with customers daily. Her commitment to comfort made her an authority on cremation and memorials, guiding and consoling families through understanding and compassion. 

Susan's insights support and reassure during difficult times. Her relentless innovation introduced personalized options honoring legacies. With expertise and dedication, Susan's cremation guides give families invaluable resources for informed decisions.