How Are Ashes Made into Jewellery? - Ashes Jewellery AE

How Are Ashes Made into Jewellery?

A Complete Guide to Memorial Jewellery Options

Cremation jewellery is a deeply personal and lasting way to honour the memory of a loved one. Today, there are several methods of incorporating ashes into jewellery, each with its own price, process, and meaning. From self-filled pendants to lab-grown diamonds, the choices vary in cost, craftsmanship, and sentiment.

This guide explains how each type of ashes jewellery is made, highlights real-life providers, and compares their advantages, disadvantages, pricing, and delivery times.

1. Self-Filled Memorial Jewellery

How it works:
Self-filled memorial jewellery includes lockets, pendants, rings, and bracelets with a discreet hollow chamber that you fill at home. A small funnel and sealing kit is usually included. You don’t need to send ashes to a third party, making it a private and immediate option.

Popular Providers:

  • Etsy UK sellers (search "self-fill cremation jewellery")
  • The Ashes Jewellery AE  Store – ashesjewelleryae.com

Price Range:
£20 – £1000

Wait Time:
1 to 5 days (shipping only)

Advantages:

  • Fast delivery
  • No need to send ashes away
  • Affordable and discreet
  • Easy to fill and seal at home

Disadvantages:

  • Ashes are not fused into the material (symbolic inclusion only)
  • Compartment may open if not sealed correctly
  • Less customisation and permanence

2. Ashes into Resin Jewellery

How it works:

A small amount of ash is mixed with clear or coloured resin and poured into a mould to create pendants, rings, or bracelets. Some jewellers offer the option to include other elements, like dried flowers, glitter, or birthstones.

Popular Providers:

Price Range:

£45 – £220

Wait Time:

1 to 4 weeks

Advantages:

  • Creative, lightweight, and colourful
  • Budget-friendly
  • Wide range of styles and personalisation

Disadvantages:

  • Resin is less durable than metal or glass
  • May discolour over time (especially with UV exposure)
  • Ashes are often visibly suspended in the design

3. Ashes into Glass Jewellery

How it works:

Ashes are incorporated into molten glass, which is then shaped into jewellery items such as pendants, rings, and beads. The ashes typically appear as soft swirls or flecks within the glass, giving each piece a unique pattern.

Popular Providers:


Price Range:
£75 – £395

Wait Time:
2 to 6 weeks

Advantages:

  • Visually striking and handcrafted
  • Ashes are permanently sealed within glass
  • Mid-range pricing

Disadvantages:

  • Glass can break if dropped
  • Visible ashes may not appeal to everyone
  • Slightly limited customisation

4. Ashes into Diamonds

How it works:
This process extracts carbon from cremated ashes and subjects it to extreme heat and pressure to create a lab-grown diamond. The resulting stone is chemically identical to a mined diamond and can be cut, coloured, and set into jewellery.

Popular Providers:

Price Range:
£1,400 – £15,000+ depending on diamond size, cut, and setting

Wait Time:
6 to 12 months

Advantages:

  • High-value and permanent
  • Can be passed down as heirloom
  • Ashes are completely transformed into a gemstone

Disadvantages:

  • Significantly more expensive
  • Long processing time
  • Typically requires international shipping of ashes

Comparison Overview

Type Price Range Wait Time Visibility of Ashes Durability Best For
Self-Filled Jewellery £20 – £150 1–5 days Hidden (sealed inside) Moderate Immediate, private memorials
Resin Jewellery £45 – £220 1–4 weeks Visible Moderate Personalised and artistic tributes
Glass Jewellery £75 – £395 2–6 weeks Visible High Elegant handcrafted pieces
Ashes into Diamonds £1,400 – £15,000+ 6–12 months Not visible Very High Long-term, luxury keepsakes

Choosing the Right Option

When selecting cremation jewellery, consider the following:

  • Privacy: Self-filled options keep ashes in your possession at all times.
  • Budget: Resin and self-filled jewellery offer the most affordability.
  • Durability: Diamonds and metal-set glass are the most durable over time.
  • Visibility of Ashes: Decide whether you want the ashes to be visible or completely transformed.

There is no “one size fits all” solution. The right memorial piece is the one that best reflects your relationship, your comfort, and your budget.

Back to blog