8 Things You Need to Know About Cremation jewellery for Ashes

Kenny Scott | May 20, 2016 | Cremation Glass Jewellery

Are you wondering if cremation jewellery for ashes could help keep a loved one’s memory alive?

If you’ve recently lost someone special, it can be difficult coming to terms with your loss – and the subject of what to do with their ashes might not be something you’ll want to think about for months or even years.

But for those who feel ready, memorial jewellery can be a wonderful way to feel close to a loved one again, and I find it brings my clients so much comfort to be able to have a beautiful piece of jewellery they can take with them wherever they go.

With that in mind, here are 8 things you need to know about cremation glass jewellery:

1. You only need a teaspoonful of ashes

It can be somewhat of a surprise to many of my clients that you actually only need a tiny amount of your loved one’s ashes to make some dramatic, striking jewellery. In fact, the less used, the better, as allows the light to shine through and show the real beauty of the glass and intricate patterns inside.

Any unused ashes are usually sent back (although always check with your chosen cremation glass company that this will be the case), along with the finished product.

Using less than a teaspoonful of ashes, you can have:

What’s more, the measuring spoon you use may even be provided in your order pack (depending on the company you go for), so you never send more than you need.

2. It can take up to 6 – 8 weeks to make

If you’re only just learning about cremation glass for the first time, you may or may not have already learned that cremation jewellery can take some companies an average of around 6 – 8 weeks to make. This is an estimation that’s perhaps based on the number of orders they have to process, as each piece is individually made.

However, despite this being typical for the market, some smaller companies may be able to get your special glass jewellery back to you more quickly, so it’s always worth asking.

In my own experience, I know that receiving an order back ASAP is oh so important for most of my clients, especially as it’s something so personal that can leave people feeling anxious about being parted with them for any length of time. With this in mind, I aim to process all my customers’ orders within two weeks.

I also keep my clients in the loop and let them know what’s happening at every stage of the process.

3. It requires experienced hands

Because the process involved in making cremation glass jewellery is so delicate, it does mean that the person making it must be experienced in glassmaking. This is because different heats can be used to achieve different results, and if an error is made, you may have to start again and those ashes will be wasted.

The creation of memorial jewellery requires a lot of skill and precision, and because each piece is individually made, you have to carefully craft each one with the right amount of heat and then cool it down in a controlled environment until you get the desired effect.

4. You can combine different ashes into one piece of jewellery

Perhaps you want to combine the ashes of two or more different family members or loved ones into just one piece of jewellery – it’s actually relatively easy to do, and means you would be able to have, say, both of your parents or grandparents together with you in one special pendant or cremation glass ring.

A lot of people choose this option when it comes to remembering pets, too.

5. It can be made in the colour of your choosing

Another great bonus of cremation glass jewellery is that you can often order it in your favourite colours. Most websites will give you a pre-selected choice of colours, however, some companies will be able to provide you with a custom colour of your choosing.

Sometimes this may mean waiting a little longer while they order the glass in, and it also takes experience to get the colour match just right, as it depends on the amount of heat that goes into making your cremation jewellery.

6. It should always be sent via tracked mail or courier

I cannot stress how important this is, as if something so personal were to go missing in the post, I could never forgive myself. Most companies will ensure that your special jewellery is sent securely via tracked mail or courier to ensure that there’s no chance of that happening.

However, the shipping method will vary from company to company, so it’s always worth enquiring before placing an order.

7. You often have to pay upfront

Unfortunately, many companies will ask for payment upfront, as they usually expect you to check out via a standard online shopping basket. However, some smaller companies (myself included) will allow you to pay after your glass has been produced and before it is shipped out to you.

I usually like to send all my customers photos of their finished jewellery to check they are 100% happy with the colour and overall look before requesting payment.

8. Each piece is totally unique, every time

One of the most wonderful facts about cremation glass jewellery is that no one piece is ever exactly the same. This is because the ashes react to the molten glass and create little air pockets and markings, resulting in a unique pattern you’ll never be able to recreate.

I often hear from my clients how impressed they are with the designs I produce, but I have to confess that I can’t actually take any of the credit, as the patterns formed once the ashes hit the molten glass is completely out of my control. I particularly love that you never know exactly how a piece is going to turn out.

Conclusion

I hope you’ve found this blog post helpful, and that it’s perhaps given you a bit more of an idea of what cremation glass jewellery is really all about. If you’re thinking about buying a piece of memorial jewellery to remember that special someone, read my blog ‘What Should You Look For When Buying Jewellery for Ashes’?

If you have any specific questions about anything I’ve mentioned above, or just need a bit of help or guidance, please either leave a comment below or get in touch with me directly – I’ll be happy to help.