Permanently Sealed Cremation Jewelry vs. Regular Cremation Jewelry: What's the Difference?

While all cremation jewelry is designed to hold a small amount of cremated ashes, not every piece is sealed the same way. Some memorial jewelry is filled at home using a threaded opening, while other pieces are professionally filled and permanently sealed before they are shipped. Understanding the difference can help you choose the option that best fits your needs and provides the peace of mind you're looking for.

8 min read Updated July 2026
Permanently Sealed Cremation Jewelry vs. Regular Cremation Jewelry: What's the Difference?

What Is Regular Cremation Jewelry?

Most cremation jewelry sold today is designed to be filled by the individual or a funeral professional after purchase. These pieces contain a small internal chamber that is accessed through a threaded opening, usually hidden beneath a screw or inside the bail where the chain passes through.

After a small amount of cremated ashes is placed inside using the included funnel and filling tools, the threaded opening is closed. Many people also choose to apply a small amount of jewelry adhesive to help secure the screw.

Many families choose regular cremation jewelry because it allows them to personally place a small amount of their loved one's ashes inside the pendant. This can be a meaningful part of the memorial process. Once filled, the threaded opening should be securely closed and is intended to remain sealed during everyday wear.

What Is Permanently Sealed Jewelry?

Permanently sealed cremation jewelry is professionally filled with a small amount of cremated ashes before it is shipped. Once the memorial chamber is sealed, it is designed to remain permanently closed, creating a waterproof keepsake that's ready to wear from the moment it arrives.

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Professionally Filled

Each piece is carefully filled by an experienced jeweler, eliminating the need to place your loved one's ashes into the jewelry yourself.

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Permanently Sealed

After filling, the memorial chamber is permanently sealed to help protect against accidental opening during everyday wear.

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Waterproof Design

The permanent seal creates a waterproof memorial that offers added protection from everyday exposure to moisture and the elements.

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Ready to Wear

Your keepsake arrives complete and ready to wear, allowing you to focus on remembering your loved one rather than assembling or sealing the jewelry yourself.

Compare Your Options

Regular vs. Permanently Sealed Cremation Jewelry

Both options are designed to hold a small amount of cremated ashes. The main differences are how the jewelry is filled, sealed and cared for.

Traditional Option

Regular Cremation Jewelry

Filled and sealed by you or a trusted funeral professional after the jewelry arrives.

  • Filled After Delivery

    You place a small amount of cremated ashes into the jewelry.

  • Threaded Closure

    The memorial chamber is secured using a small threaded screw or closure.

  • Filling Kit Included

    Most designs include a funnel, filling pin and instructions.

  • Careful Sealing Required

    The closure should be properly secured and is intended to remain closed.

Professionally Sealed

Permanently Sealed Cremation Jewelry

Professionally filled and permanently sealed before the jewelry is shipped.

  • Professionally Filled

    Your loved one's ashes are carefully placed inside by an experienced jeweler.

  • Permanently Sealed

    The memorial chamber is permanently closed and is not intended to be reopened.

  • Waterproof

    The permanent seal creates a waterproof memorial designed for everyday wear.

  • Ready to Wear

    Your keepsake arrives complete with the ashes already securely enclosed.

Neither option is better for everyone. The right choice depends on whether you prefer to fill the jewelry yourself or receive a professionally filled, permanently sealed and waterproof keepsake.

The Best Choice Is the One That Brings You Peace of Mind

The Best Choice Is the One That Brings You Peace of Mind

Whether you choose traditional cremation jewelry or a permanently sealed keepsake, both are designed to honor your loved one with care and respect. The most important difference isn't which option is better—it's which one feels right for you and your family.

Which option fits you?

Which Type of Cremation Jewelry Is Best for You?

Neither option is better for everyone. The right choice depends on how involved you want to be in the filling process, the look you prefer, and how you plan to wear your keepsake.

Traditional option

Regular Cremation Jewelry May Be Best When...

Traditional cremation jewelry gives you more control over how and when the keepsake is filled.

  • ✓ You want to fill the piece personally
  • ✓ You want a more affordable option
  • ✓ You may want future access to the chamber
  • ✓ You prefer a wider selection of traditional styles
  • ✓ You want a funeral professional to fill it locally

Professionally completed

Permanently Sealed Jewelry May Be Best When...

Permanently Sealed jewelry is ideal when you want a completed keepsake with a clean, discreet appearance.

  • ✓ You do not want to handle the ashes yourself
  • ✓ Waterproof construction is important to you
  • ✓ You prefer no visible opening or screw
  • ✓ You want the piece delivered complete and ready to wear
  • ✓ You want a more discreet, fine-jewelry appearance

A process you can trust

Years offering Permanently Sealed jewelry

Why Jewelry Keepsakes' Permanently Sealed Process Is Different

When you choose Permanently Sealed cremation jewelry, you're trusting someone with one of your most meaningful keepsakes. Every eligible piece is professionally filled, permanently welded shut, leak tested, and carefully inspected before it leaves our workshop.

1

Step 1

Professionally Filled

Every eligible piece is carefully filled by an experienced jeweler, so you do not have to handle your loved one's cremated remains yourself.

2

Step 2

Permanently Welded

Once filled, the memorial opening is permanently welded closed rather than secured with a visible threaded screw.

3

Step 3

Leak Tested

Each eligible piece is leak tested after sealing to confirm the closure before the jewelry proceeds to final inspection.

4

Step 4

Individually Inspected

Every piece is carefully inspected before shipment to make sure it meets our quality standards and is ready to wear.

5

Step 5

Backed by a One-Year Guarantee

Permanently Sealed jewelry is backed by our one-year guarantee, providing additional confidence after your keepsake arrives.

3+ Years offering the Permanently Sealed service
100% Professionally filled and individually inspected
1 Year Guarantee on Permanently Sealed jewelry

Need something different?

Custom Permanently Sealed Designs

Our Permanently Sealed service is available on selected designs, but our custom capabilities allow us to create permanently sealed versions of many styles. Contact our team if you have a specific design in mind.

Questions about the process?

Let Us Help You Choose the Right Keepsake

Our team can help you determine which designs are eligible for Permanently Sealed service or discuss a custom option.

Contact Our Team

Simple, respectful process

What Happens After You Order?

Because Permanently Sealed jewelry is professionally filled, the ordering process is a little different from traditional cremation jewelry. We make it as straightforward as possible from the moment you order through the return of your finished keepsake.

1

Place Your Order

Choose an eligible Permanently Sealed design and complete your personalization and shipping selections.

2

Receive Your Collection Kit

After your order is processed, we send an ash collection kit with instructions and the materials needed to return the small amount of ashes required.

3

Send the Ashes to Us

Use the provided collection materials and prepaid return label to send the cremated remains back to Jewelry Keepsakes.

4

We Complete Your Keepsake

We professionally fill the jewelry, permanently seal it with a welded plug, complete the finishing process, and inspect the piece.

5

Your Keepsake Comes Home

The finished jewelry and any unused cremated remains are securely returned to you.

Before you send the ashes

Important Ordering & Shipping Details

How Much Ash Should I Send?

We require less than 1/8 teaspoon of cremated remains for Permanently Sealed jewelry.

What Happens to Unused Ashes?

Any cremated remains not used in the jewelry are securely packaged and returned with your completed keepsake.

How Long Does It Take?

Production time varies by design. Many Permanently Sealed pieces ship approximately 2–7 business days after we receive the ashes, while more involved made-to-order designs may take longer.

What About Shipping & Tracking?

The collection kit includes a prepaid return label, and standard ground shipping within the continental United States is free. Refer to your shipment confirmation and collection-kit instructions for current tracking details.

Can I Cancel After Sending the Ashes?

Because production may begin as soon as your order is processed, contact us immediately if you need to make a change or request a cancellation. Once custom production or filling has begun, cancellation options may be limited.

Why families trust Jewelry Keepsakes

Experience Behind Every Keepsake

Memorial jewelry is deeply personal. Our experience, quality-control process, customer support, and long-standing industry relationships are designed to give families greater confidence throughout the process.

Since 2005

Keepsake Jewelry Specialists

Jewelry Keepsakes has focused on memorial and keepsake jewelry for more than two decades.

BBB

Accredited Since 2009

A long-standing Better Business Bureau accreditation adds another layer of confidence when choosing a memorial jewelry provider.

85+

Years Combined Experience

Our team brings decades of combined jewelry-industry experience to design, manufacturing, personalization, and customer care.

Up to 7

Quality Checkpoints

Our multi-phase quality-control process includes checkpoints throughout jewelry creation rather than relying on one final inspection.

1-Year Warranty against covered manufacturing defects
Free Ground Shipping in the continental United States
Real Customer Support by phone and email

Customer experiences

See What Other Families Have to Say

Jewelry Keepsakes customers share their experiences on our website as well as platforms including Google, Facebook, and Etsy. Read their feedback about our products, craftsmanship, and customer service.

Read Customer Reviews

Need shipping instructions?

How to Send Cremated Remains

For more detailed information about preparing, packaging, and sending cremated remains, visit our shipping guide before mailing anything.

View Shipping Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is permanently sealed cremation jewelry better than regular cremation jewelry? +

Neither option is inherently better. Regular cremation jewelry allows families to personally place a small amount of ashes inside the memorial, while permanently sealed cremation jewelry is professionally filled, permanently sealed, and arrives ready to wear. The right choice depends on your personal preferences.

Is permanently sealed cremation jewelry waterproof? +

Yes. Permanently sealed cremation jewelry is professionally sealed to create a waterproof memorial chamber, providing added protection during everyday wear. While waterproof, all fine jewelry should still be properly cared for to preserve its beauty.

Can permanently sealed cremation jewelry be opened? +

No. Once the memorial chamber has been professionally filled and permanently sealed, it is not intended to be reopened.

Can I fill regular cremation jewelry myself? +

Yes. Most traditional cremation jewelry is designed to be filled at home using the included filling kit. Some families also choose to have a funeral professional assist with the process.

Does permanently sealed jewelry hold more ashes? +

No. Both traditional and permanently sealed cremation jewelry typically hold a similar small amount of cremated ashes. The primary difference is how the memorial chamber is filled and sealed.

Is regular cremation jewelry secure? +

Yes. When properly filled and the threaded closure is securely tightened according to the manufacturer's instructions, regular cremation jewelry is designed for everyday wear.

Which type of cremation jewelry should I choose? +

If you would like to personally place your loved one's ashes into the jewelry, a traditional threaded design may be the best choice. If you prefer a professionally filled, permanently sealed, waterproof keepsake that arrives ready to wear, permanently sealed cremation jewelry may be the better fit.

Can both types of cremation jewelry be engraved? +

In many cases, yes. Both regular and permanently sealed cremation jewelry are available in a variety of styles that can often be personalized with engraving, birthstones, fingerprints, handwriting, or other meaningful customizations, depending on the design.

Find the Keepsake That Feels Right for You

Whether you choose traditional cremation jewelry or a professionally filled, permanently sealed keepsake, the most important decision is finding a memorial that honors your loved one in a way that feels meaningful to you. Explore our collection of handcrafted cremation jewelry, each thoughtfully designed to provide lasting comfort and remembrance.

Shop Cremation Jewelry