Tips on Selecting Your Cremation Jewelry

Choosing cremation jewelry is a personal decision. From style and metal to personalization and how you'll wear it, a few simple considerations can help you select a keepsake you'll feel comfortable wearing for years to come.

5 min read Updated July 2026
Tips on Selecting Your Cremation Jewelry

Start With the Purpose

Before comparing styles or metals, think about how you want your jewelry to fit into your life. The right choice is the one that reflects both your loved one and your personal style.

Consider:

Will you wear it every day or only on special occasions?

Do you prefer a subtle keepsake or a more noticeable design?

Would you like to include ashes, a fingerprint, a photograph, or engraving?

Is there a particular style of jewelry you already enjoy wearing?

There isn't a single "best" choice. The goal is to select something that feels natural to wear and meaningful to you.

Choose a Style You'll Enjoy Wearing

Cremation jewelry is available in many forms, each offering a different look and wearing experience.

Pendants

The most popular option. Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, pendants are easy to wear every day and pair well with most wardrobes.

Rings

A meaningful choice for those who prefer jewelry that's always with them. Rings can be simple and understated or feature fingerprints, engraving, or other personalized details.

Bracelets

Ideal if you already wear bracelets regularly. They provide a subtle way to keep a loved one close without wearing a necklace.

Keychains

A practical option for those who don't typically wear jewelry. They allow you to carry a meaningful keepsake every day.

Other Keepsakes

Items such as money clips, bookmarks, knives, coins, cufflinks, and other personalized accessories offer additional ways to create a lasting tribute while fitting naturally into everyday life.

Choose Quality Over Trends

Choose Quality Over Trends

The best cremation jewelry isn't defined by size or price—it's the piece you'll continue to wear years from now. Classic designs, quality materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship tend to age beautifully, making them timeless keepsakes rather than temporary trends.

Choose the Right Metal

The metal you choose affects the appearance, durability, maintenance, and overall investment of your cremation jewelry. There isn't a right or wrong choice—only the one that best fits your lifestyle and personal preferences.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is one of the most popular choices for cremation jewelry. It offers a bright, timeless appearance and excellent value. Like all sterling silver jewelry, occasional polishing will help maintain its finish.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is durable, affordable, and requires very little maintenance. It's an excellent choice for everyday wear and for those with active lifestyles.

Gold

Available in yellow, white, and rose gold, gold offers exceptional longevity and a classic appearance. Gold is ideal for those looking for a premium keepsake that can be worn and enjoyed for generations.

Personalize Your Keepsake

One of the most meaningful aspects of cremation jewelry is the ability to make it uniquely yours. Many designs can be customized with details that celebrate a life, preserve a memory, or tell a personal story.

Depending on the design, personalization options may include:

Fingerprints
Photographs
Handwriting
Names or initials
Important dates
Short engraved messages
Birthstones

Even a small personal detail can make a keepsake feel even more meaningful.

Before You Make Your Decision

Before choosing your cremation jewelry, take a few moments to consider how you'll wear and enjoy it over the years.

Ask yourself:

  • Will I wear this every day or on special occasions?
  • Does this style feel comfortable and reflect my personal taste?
  • Is the metal a good fit for my lifestyle?
  • Would I like to personalize the piece?
  • Is the size and design something I'll continue to enjoy over time?

Taking a little extra time to think through these questions can help you select a keepsake that feels both meaningful today and timeless for years to come.

Choose the right memorial

Choose How the Ashes Will Be Held

Before selecting a style, metal, or personalization, decide how you'd like your loved one's cremated remains to become part of your keepsake. Each option offers a different experience, and the right choice depends on your personal preferences—not one being better than another.

Traditional Cremation Jewelry

A meaningful choice for families who wish to fill the jewelry themselves.

Traditional cremation jewelry contains a discreet threaded compartment designed to hold a small amount of cremated remains. The jewelry can be filled at home using the included kit or by a funeral professional, allowing many families to make the filling process part of their remembrance journey.

Best for

  • Personally placing the ashes inside
  • Having a funeral home assist
  • Traditional memorial jewelry designs
  • Families who appreciate participating in the memorial process
Professionally completed

Permanently Sealed Cremation Jewelry

Professionally filled and permanently sealed before it arrives.

Permanently Sealed cremation jewelry is carefully filled by Jewelry Keepsakes before it is shipped. Once sealed, there is no visible screw or opening, creating a clean, finished appearance that's ready to wear from the moment it arrives.

Many customers choose this option because they prefer not to handle the cremated remains themselves and appreciate a professionally completed keepsake.

Best for

  • Professionally filled keepsakes
  • No visible screw or threaded opening
  • Ready to wear upon arrival
  • Minimal long-term maintenance

Jewelry Made From Ashes

The ashes become part of the artwork itself.

Rather than placing cremated remains inside a compartment, a small amount of ashes is permanently incorporated into resin or another artistic medium. The result is a completely unique memorial where the ashes become part of the jewelry's design.

Every piece is individually handcrafted, making no two keepsakes exactly alike.

Best for

  • One-of-a-kind memorial jewelry
  • Artistic remembrance
  • Ashes incorporated into the design
  • Unique handcrafted keepsakes

Compare your options

Traditional vs. Permanently Sealed vs. Jewelry Made From Ashes

Feature Traditional Permanently Sealed Jewelry Made From Ashes
Holds cremated remains ✓ ✓ ✓
Filled by customer ✓ — —
Professionally filled Optional ✓ ✓
Ready to wear After filling ✓ ✓
Visible opening Usually No No
Can be reopened Some designs No No
Ashes become part of design No No ✓

Understanding your investment

What Influences the Price of Memorial Jewelry?

Pricing varies based on the materials, craftsmanship, construction, and level of personalization you choose rather than a one-size-fits-all budget.

Material

Sterling silver, stainless steel, and solid gold each offer different levels of durability, appearance, maintenance, and long-term value.

Personalization

Photo engraving, fingerprints, handwriting, names, dates, gemstones, and custom messages can add meaning and craftsmanship to the finished piece.

Construction

Traditional, Permanently Sealed, and Jewelry Made From Ashes each require different manufacturing and finishing processes that influence the overall investment.

Custom Design

Fully custom memorial jewelry involves additional design work and artisan craftsmanship to create a truly one-of-a-kind keepsake.

One final decision

Who Will Fill Your Jewelry?

The right option depends on whether you'd like to take part in the filling process or prefer to receive a professionally completed keepsake.

01

Fill It Yourself

Many families find comfort in personally filling their memorial jewelry. Traditional cremation jewelry can be filled at home using the tools and instructions provided with the piece.

02

Ask Your Funeral Home

Many funeral homes can assist with filling traditional cremation jewelry, providing an option for families who prefer professional help close to home.

03

Let Jewelry Keepsakes Do It

Permanently Sealed jewelry and Jewelry Made From Ashes are professionally completed before shipment, allowing you to receive a finished keepsake that's ready to wear.

Still deciding?

We're Here to Help You Choose

Choosing memorial jewelry is personal. Whether you prefer a traditional keepsake, a professionally Permanently Sealed piece, or Jewelry Made From Ashes, our team can help you find the option that feels right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider before choosing cremation jewelry? +

Think about how you'll wear the piece, the style you prefer, the metal that best fits your lifestyle, and whether you'd like to personalize it with engraving, a fingerprint, or another meaningful detail.

Which type of cremation jewelry is best for everyday wear? +

Pendants, rings, and bracelets are all popular choices for daily wear. The best option depends on your personal style and what feels most comfortable to wear regularly.

What is the best metal for cremation jewelry? +

Sterling silver, stainless steel, and gold are all excellent choices. Sterling silver offers timeless beauty, stainless steel is extremely durable and low maintenance, and gold provides a premium heirloom-quality option.

Can cremation jewelry be personalized? +

Yes. Many designs can be customized with fingerprints, photographs, handwriting, names, dates, meaningful messages, or birthstones, depending on the style you choose.

How much cremated remains does cremation jewelry hold? +

Most cremation jewelry holds only a very small amount of ashes. The keepsake is intended to preserve a symbolic portion rather than all of a loved one's remains.

Can I wear cremation jewelry every day? +

Yes. Most cremation jewelry is designed for everyday wear. Choosing a durable metal and following basic jewelry care recommendations will help keep your keepsake looking its best.

Choose a Keepsake That Feels Right for You

Selecting cremation jewelry is a deeply personal decision. By considering your style, preferred metal, and personalization options, you can choose a keepsake that reflects your loved one while fitting naturally into your everyday life.

When you're ready, explore our collection to find a piece that feels meaningful, comfortable, and timeless.

Explore Cremation Jewelry