Remembering Loved Ones: Top 10 Memorial Jewelry Ideas

In some ways, the loss of a loved one can bring us closer to them. For those of you who wish to have an item that you can wear to remind yourself of that person (or pet as the case may be) I have compiled at top 10 list of beautiful ways of keeping your loved one with you.

This is a great option for those of you who have lost someone close to you but don't have access to things like their fingerprints or ashes (which I will get to later). Many artisans are now creating jewelry based off of your loved ones writing. You can find these in the shape of bracelets, rings, and necklaces. Etsy is one of the easiest places to find an artisan that can create your memorial jewelry at an affordable price. One of the best reasons to use Etsy is the reviews. No one wants to spend money on an item that they aren't sure they are going to be happy with. Make sure to search for the specific type of metal you want used. Of course gold, silver, and platinum are going to be more costly, but longer lasting.

Fingerprint jewelry also comes in a variety of styles. I've found rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pins, and more! This is a great option for those who are planning ahead or even just want to capture their spouse or child's fingerprint. There are specific jewelers who will work with those of you who wish to use a paw-print as well. It never hurts to ask!

For fingerprint jewelry, the artisan will mail you a molding kit for you to take the impression and then send back. Completion times vary based on a variety of factors.

This was a new find for me. These lovely pendents can be made in a variety of metals to suit your preferences. This would be a great gift for a new mother as well as for someone who lost their child. As sad as that is, some solace may be found in being able to carry something of them close to their heart.

These are as easy as sending a scanned copy of the print to the artisan. If you are unable to use, or do not have, the footprint from birth, you can easily make the impression with non-toxic ink at home for the new mother. Otherwise, using the prints from birth may be the easiest course.

For those of you who don't necessarily want or need something as personal as a fingerprint, there are charmed options. The charm disks can be stamped with your own personal message and for an added touch you can place charms pertaining to their favorite hobbies on the same chain. Some places even allow the option of a gem that matches their birthstone.

Possibilities are endless with hand stamped charms. These can be found in a variety of metals to suit your needs and at a variety of costs.

This may not be for everyone. This literally allows you to take a little bit of your loved one with you where ever you go. Most memorial urn pendents are made from stainless steel so there is no worry of tarnishing or rust. Some are more discreet than others.

These can be especially nice for men as they are not distinctly feminine as many memorial memorabilia are.

I would imagine these to be an interesting conversation piece.

I have seen many different things like this but this is a wonderful gift or idea for a man looking for memorial memorabilia. This way he can carry around the memory of his loved one in a more visible way. These cuff links are a great idea for a wedding or for every day use. All you have to do is send the image you want to the artisan as well as text if it is wanted. Be sure to pay attention to the time the artisan says it will take to create your piece, if you are looking to have it by a specific date.

This is a more timeless approach and possibly one of the more cheaper options depending upon the material. Lockets can be found at most jewelry stores such as Zales and Kays. There are lockets made specifically for photos, locks of hair, etc. The best part about these is that they come in all shapes and sizes depending on your preference.

There are keepsake lockets as well that are made with a clear front to show what is inside of the locket.

Like the necklace found above, there are other ways to wear a loved one's ashes or even a lock of hair. There are many different styles of bracelets to choose from. This particular one shown in the photo is sterling silver and has customizable end caps that are sold separately.

Keychain cremation jewelry is a great way to hold close a small memory of a beloved pet. There is a small inner cavity that can hold a lock of hair or some ashes from your companion. Each keychain can be engraved with a picture as well as customized text on the back side. This is a great affordable way to keep your pet close.

It is now possible to create diamond jewelry by sending a specific company a lock of hair from a loved one or even ashes. This garnered a lot of attention when it made its way through social media. Some people found it disturbing and costly while others thought it endearing and beautiful. This particular method of getting memorial jewelry is much more expensive than the other previously mentioned options. Please see the video below.