Should Cremation Jewellery be Made with Glass or Resin?

Kenny Scott | May 20, 2016 | Cremation Glass Jewellery

Are you considering buying cremation jewellery to keep a loved one close?

Memorial jewellery is such a personal purchase, and I often find having something beautifully handmade and intricate to wear on a daily basis – or on special occasions – can bring so much comfort to many of my clients.

However, not many people know exactly what to look for when buying cremation jewellery, or which type of materials should be used when making it.

For instance, many memorial jewellery companies use glass, although it’s not unheard of for cremation jewellery to also be made with resin; a man-made composite material that feels more like plastic. I personally only work with glass, however it’s a completely personal choice which material you prefer to go with.

Below, I’m going to talk about some of the main considerations when choosing glass or resin jewellery for your loved one’s ashes.

Finish

A good quality finish is particularly important when investing in memorial jewellery, as you’ll want to enjoy touching and admiring it whilst thinking of all the special memories you shared with your loved one. If the finish doesn’t feel quite right, it could affect how you feel about the piece at the end of the day.

Because glass is a more natural material, it tends to give a smooth, clear and bright finish that beautifully sparkles in the light, whereas resin can look duller and feel rougher – depending on the type of materials used. It also tends to feel lighter and less substantial than glass.

Quality

Typically, there’s a lot more skill involved when crafting cremation glass jewellery, as the process involves heating the glass to extremely high temperatures before manipulating it into a particular design you want – it requires a lot of time and attention to detail to get the process right, resulting in a very high quality product.

The process for most resin jewellery generally takes less skill – and potentially less time – as resin is usually poured into a mould and left to find its own shape before drying. Therefore, you’re left with the same consistent product every time, but being plastic, the quality can feel less pure and therefore not as special.

Affordability

Because the process for creating resin is easier and less time-consuming, with the materials themselves often less expensive, it can be significantly cheaper than cremation glass – which really works in its favour if you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend a lot on memorial glass jewellery.

Although, in my opinion, memorial jewellery is something that everyone should be able to afford should they choose to, and some companies do offer very affordable glass products that can compete with the likes of resin in terms of price.

Durability

If you’re investing in something as personal as cremation jewellery, you’ll want to know it will stand the test of time so you can wear it and keep it close to you forever. This is particularly essential if you’re going to scatter the rest of your loved one’s ashes, as you might not be able to buy a replacement.

When it comes to durability, glass once again wins out, as resin is typically more prone to scratches and dulling than high quality cremation glass. That being said, glass is not completely infallible either, but as long as you care for your glass jewellery, it should last for many years to come.

Always ask which materials will be used

Before you place an order for memorial jewellery, I always recommend asking which materials will be used to make it; it’s a personal choice. If the company is using resin, ask them about the creation process involved and how each piece is made, so you can be sure you’re getting a good quality product that is worth the money.

Confidence in the company itself is equally important, regardless of the type of materials they use, so I’d recommend giving them a call and asking any questions you might have before committing to buy cremation jewellery. This will help set your mind at ease and ensure you’re making the right choice for you.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a better idea of the main differences between glass and resin products, and which may be more suitable to your needs. Remember, always ask a company which materials are used before you place an order!

Do you have a specific question about resin or glass jewellery? Feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll answer as soon as I can.