5 Things to Avoid When Buying Cremation Jewellery

Kenny Scott | May 20, 2016 | Cremation Glass Jewellery

Do you know what to avoid when buying cremation jewellery to remember a loved one?

Investing in a beautiful piece of memorial jewellery can bring so much comfort to those who have lost someone special in their life, but it’s also something incredibly personal, which is why it’s so important to get it right.

There are a variety of different companies offering cremation glass jewellery online, but choosing the right one can be tough when you don’t know what to look for – and what to avoid.

With that in mind, below are five things to avoid when purchasing cremation jewellery.

1. Resin, not glass

When you’re buying something as important as memorial jewellery to keep with you day in, day out, you really want it to last the test of time. Resin is generally a cheaper option, but it can also scratches easily, and can look duller and not as clear or bright as beautifully handmade glass.

There’s also a lot less skill involved in making resin cremation jewellery, as you simply pour it into a mould rather than manipulating it into the design you want, so not as much care and attention will go into your jewellery.

For more about why memorial jewellery should be made with glass as opposed to resin, read my blog post ‘Should Cremation Jewellery be Made with Glass or Resin?’.

2. Inexperience/untrained craftsmen

Because the process involved in creating memorial glass jewellery is so delicate, and requires a lot of time, patience and skill, you really need experienced hands to achieve the desired result. This is because the finished product will vary greatly depending on the amount of heat and professional techniques used.

That’s why I always recommend to people that they ask who will be making their jewellery, and how many years of experience they’ve had in glassmaking – or working with cremation glass in particular.

3. Unhallmarked jewellery

Just like the glass itself, the silver or precious metal you choose for your cremation jewellery should be of high quality and preferably hallmarked, so you know for certain that the metal is of a certain purity.

Some memorial glass companies do sell unhallmarked jewellery, so I’d always recommend asking if your jewellery will be hallmarked before placing your order.

4. Bad communication

There’s nothing worse than being kept in the dark when you’ve been parted with the ashes of a loved one – especially as some companies can take around 6 – 8 weeks to process orders. In the past, I’ve heard from clients who have had bad experiences when ordering their jewellery and it’s been almost heartbreaking.

I remember an elderly woman got in touch who had ordered a ring online to remember her late husband. Unfortunately she didn’t have hardly any communication with the company, and she was almost out of her mind with worry. When the ring eventually turned up, the ring wasn’t as high quality as she’d hoped for.

5. No certificate of authenticity

If a company refuses to provide you with a certificate of authenticity, it could be a bad sign. Most cremation glass companies will send you out an official certificate that has been signed, stamped and dated to assure you that your loved one’s ashes have been used in the creation of your jewellery.

This is important for many of my clients, as it gives them that extra bit of confidence that they can wear their jewellery knowing that only their loved one’s ashes are contained within.

TIP: For more helpful guidance, read my blog post ‘What Should You Look for When Buying Jewellery for Ashes?’

Conclusion

I hope this blog post has helped to highlight some of the concerns faced when buying cremation jewellery, and hopefully by now you should have a better idea of what to look for before placing your trust in a memorial glass company.

However, if there’s anything you feel unsure about, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, or get in touch with me directly – I’m just a phonecall or email away.