A Guide to Choosing Memorial Jewellery with Ashes

Choosing memorial jewellery with ashes is one of the most personal jewellery decisions you can make. It is not just about style, metal or budget. It is about creating a lasting connection to someone you love, whether that is a family member, friend or much-loved pet.

At Cherish Forever, we create ashes jewellery, cremation jewellery and keepsake jewellery designed to feel beautiful, wearable and deeply meaningful. Some pieces display ashes within resin, while others keep them completely hidden inside the jewellery. This guide will help you understand the different options, compare designs, and choose a memorial piece that feels right for you.

What is memorial jewellery?

Memorial jewellery is jewellery made to honour and remember someone special. It can include ashes, hair, fur, a fingerprint, a birthstone or another personal tribute. One of the most popular forms is jewellery made with ashes, where a small amount of cremation ashes is carefully set into, beneath or inside the piece.

Memorial jewellery can be subtle or clearly symbolic. A ring may look like a traditional wedding-style band but hold ashes hidden within the shank. A pendant may contain ashes set into resin. Earrings may include a birthstone over ashes. The right choice depends on whether you want the tribute to be visible, private, modern, classic, delicate or bold.

You can browse our wider rings collection or full memorial jewellery collection to compare the different styles available.

Visible ashes jewellery vs hidden ashes jewellery

One of the biggest decisions is whether you want the ashes to be visible. Our resin rings with ashes show the memorial element as part of the design. The ashes are carefully set within resin, creating a personal detail that can be seen and touched. This is often chosen by people who want the jewellery to feel clearly connected to the person or pet being remembered.

By contrast, our hidden ashes rings keep the ashes sealed discreetly inside the shank of the ring. From the outside, they look like elegant jewellery, but they hold a private tribute known only to the wearer. This is ideal if you prefer a more understated design or want a ring that can be worn every day without immediately looking like memorial jewellery.

For a simple visible ashes design, the Simple Sterling Silver Ashes Ring with Resin Channel is a timeless choice. For a discreet hidden ashes option, the Wedding-Style D-Shape Hidden Ashes Ring offers a classic memorial band shape with ashes sealed inside.

Choosing the right type of ashes jewellery

Rings are one of the most popular choices because they are easy to wear every day and can act as a constant, comforting reminder. If you want a meaningful ring that still feels like traditional jewellery, our Tribute Rings collection is a good place to start.

Pendants are another popular choice because they sit close to the heart. The Sterling Silver Birthstone Ashes Pendant with Disc and Chain adds a personal colour detail through the birthstone, while the Cherish Forever Small Heart Sterling Silver Ashes Locket offers a soft heart-shaped design for remembrance.

Earrings can be a subtle and elegant option for everyday wear. The Sterling Silver Birthstone Ashes Stud Earrings are particularly suited to someone who wants cremation jewellery that feels delicate and easy to wear.

Ashes behind stones

If you like traditional jewellery but still want a hidden memorial element, designs from our Ashes Behind Stones Collection are worth considering. In these pieces, ashes are sealed beneath a stone, keeping the tribute discreet while allowing the jewellery to look classic and refined.

The Victorian-Style Ashes Behind Stone Ring is a strong example. It has a more traditional appearance with brilliant-cut stone detail, while the ashes remain protected beneath the centre stone.

Pet memorial jewellery

Memorial jewellery is not only for human ashes. Many people choose pet memorial jewellery after losing a dog, cat, horse or another companion. A piece of jewellery can offer a comforting way to keep them close, especially when the bond was part of daily life.

The Sterling Silver Adjustable Paw Pet Ashes Ring is a heartfelt option for pet ashes. Its adjustable fit also makes it helpful if the ring is being bought as a gift and the exact size is not known. You can also explore our adjustable rings with ashes in resin for flexible sizing options.

Choosing the right metal

The metal you choose affects the look, feel, durability and price of your jewellery. Sterling silver is a popular choice for accessible, everyday ashes jewellery. Gold and platinum offer a more premium finish, particularly for rings intended to be worn for many years.

If you are unsure which material is best, our Metal Types & Prices page explains the available options. For precious metal pieces, UK hallmarking gives reassurance that the metal has been independently tested and marked where required.

For more premium memorial rings, designs such as the Diamond Wedding-Style Hidden Ashes Ring combine fine jewellery styling with a private ashes tribute sealed inside the shank.

Why choose Cherish Forever?

Memorial jewellery requires trust. You are sending something irreplaceable, so it is important to choose a maker who treats the process with care, respect and professionalism.

Cherish Forever is part of a jewellery background built on decades of hands-on goldsmithing experience. Our pieces are handcrafted in the UK with careful attention to durability, comfort and finish. Where applicable, precious metal jewellery is hallmarked, and premium diamond pieces can include GIA-certified diamonds.

We also place a strong focus on respectful ashes handling. You can read more about how we work on our Our Process page, or review the practical steps on our Ordering Process page before placing an order.

How to choose the right memorial piece

Start by asking yourself how you want the jewellery to feel. Do you want something openly symbolic, or something private? Do you want a ring you can wear daily, a pendant close to your heart, or earrings that feel subtle? Do you prefer sterling silver, gold, platinum or a more modern metal?

It can also help to think about the person or pet being remembered. A birthstone may represent a birthday or anniversary. A heart may feel right for a partner or parent. A paw design may be perfect for a pet. A hidden ashes ring may suit someone who wants the comfort of remembrance without explaining the piece to others.

If you are still unsure, our Contact page is there if you would like guidance before ordering.

Frequently asked questions about memorial jewellery with ashes

How much ashes are needed for memorial jewellery?

Only a small amount of ashes is usually required. The exact amount depends on the design, but most ashes jewellery uses far less than people expect. Full guidance is provided during the ordering process.

Can pet ashes be used?

Yes. Pet ashes can be used in many of our memorial jewellery designs, including rings and pendants. Pet hair or fur may also be possible depending on the style chosen.

Are the ashes visible?

They can be, but they do not have to be. Resin ashes jewellery usually makes the memorial element visible, while hidden ashes rings keep ashes sealed privately inside the jewellery.

Is memorial jewellery waterproof?

Memorial jewellery is made to be durable, but we recommend removing it before swimming, showering, cleaning or using harsh chemicals. This helps protect the finish, stones, resin and settings over time.

Can ashes be placed inside an existing ring?

In some cases, an existing ring may be altered or remade into a memorial piece. Our Old to New Rings page explains how older jewellery can sometimes be transformed into something new.

How long does ashes jewellery take to make?

Timescales vary depending on the design, metal and complexity. The Ordering Process page explains the steps involved, and we will guide you through the process after ordering.

Can ashes be hidden behind a stone?

Yes. Our ashes behind stones designs are made for people who want the tribute protected beneath a stone while keeping the jewellery elegant and discreet.

How should I care for memorial jewellery?

Store it safely when not worn, avoid chemicals and remove it before heavy manual work. For more specific advice, check the guidance provided with your piece or contact us for help.

Final thoughts

The best memorial jewellery is the piece that feels right to you. It may be a visible ashes in resin ring, a hidden ashes band, a pendant worn close to the heart, or a pet memorial ring that reminds you of a companion who meant everything.

To begin, browse our memorial jewellery collection, compare hidden ashes rings, explore resin rings with ashes, or visit our FAQ for more answers before ordering.