Memorial options
Memorial Jewelry from ashes
Pendants, rings, beads and charms that hold or contain a small amount of ashes — usually the most affordable way to keep someone close.
Cremation jewellery — also called ashes jewellery or memorial jewellery — lets you wear a small amount of someone's remains close to you. For many people it is the first keepsake they choose, because it is affordable, quick to arrange, and uses so little of the ashes that the rest can go wherever feels right.
The two main types
Self-fill pieces have a small hollow chamber, usually closed with a tiny screw. You fill it yourself at home with a pinch of ashes. These are the cheapest and quickest option, and you never have to post the remains anywhere.
Ashes set by a maker means you send a small portion of the ashes to a jeweller, who sets them into the piece — sealed under a glass or crystal dome, fused into a glass bead, or mixed into resin or another material. These cost more and take longer, but the ashes become a visible part of the design and are permanently sealed.
Related options sit in other categories: glass beads and pendants, diamonds grown from ashes and small remembrance stones.
How much ash it needs
Very little. A self-fill chamber holds a pinch. Makers who set ashes into jewellery typically need only a small portion — often a teaspoon is enough for several pieces — and should return the rest.
What it costs in the UK
Prices vary more with the metal than with the memorial itself:
| Type | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Simple self-fill pendant | from around £25 |
| Sterling silver pendant with ashes set by a maker | roughly £90–£250 |
| Solid gold, platinum or gemstone-set pieces | up to £2,000 or more |
Things to check before you buy
- What the ashes are sealed in. Glass and crystal hold up better over decades than cheaper resins.
- The metal. Look for solid sterling silver (925) or gold; "plated" or "tone" jewellery wears through over time.
- Everyday wear. Chambers can loosen. A drop of jewellery glue on the screw of a self-fill piece keeps it closed, and it is wise to take it off before swimming or showering.
- What happens to unused ashes. Get it in writing.
Who it tends to suit
Jewellery suits anyone who wants to carry a small part of someone with them every day, and families where several people each want a keepsake — matching pieces are common. It does not solve the question of what to do with the rest of the remains; see urns, living memorials or memorial stones.
Our partner brand Spogad also makes ash pendants and charm beads. Spogad is our partner brand and we may earn from orders placed through us.
Common questions
Can I fill cremation jewellery myself?
Yes, with a self-fill piece. A small funnel and a steady surface help. Work over a sheet of paper so any spilled ash can be returned to the container.
Is it safe to wear ashes?
Yes. Cremated remains are sterile, inert mineral fragments, and in jewellery they are fully enclosed.
Can I make jewellery from pet ashes?
Yes — every type of ashes jewellery works the same for pets.
Sources
- Ashes necklaces — prices and materials — Ashes with Art (checked 21 September 2026)
- Ashes keepsake jewellery range — Urns UK, entry-level self-fill prices (checked 21 September 2026)
Not sure this is the right choice?
Tell us what you are weighing up and we will come back with options that fit — what they cost and how long they take. There is no deadline on this decision.