How Does Memorial Ashes Jewellery Work? A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever wonder about the journey your loved ones make..?

If you're wondering how does memorial ashes jewellery work, the process is much more personal and hands-on than you might expect. At Forever Near Jewellery, I personally create each memorial ashes jewellery piece from the moment your loved one's inclusion arrives, carefully building your individual stone layer by layer before finishing and checking your jewellery.

Sending something as precious as your loved one's ashes, hair or fur to someone you've never met can feel like a huge step. I completely understand that, which is why I want you to know exactly what happens at Forever Near Jewellery, from the moment your inclusion arrives to the moment your finished jewellery is sent back to you.

Every piece is personally made by me, with your chosen design, colours, sparkle and inclusion carefully considered throughout the process.

How Does Memorial Ashes Jewellery Work?

The process begins when you choose your jewellery design and personalise your piece with your preferred colour, sparkle and inclusion visibility.

Once your order has been placed, you'll receive an inclusion kit to safely send your loved one's ashes, hair, fur or other suitable dried inclusion to me.

From there, I personally handle your order from beginning to end.

Step 1: Your inclusion arrives safely

When your inclusion kit arrives, I first check everything against your website order.

I make sure the details match, check whether you've included any notes or requests, and contact you if I need to clarify anything before I begin.

If your order requires a ring size that wasn't available when you originally ordered, I'll also check the required size and make sure the correct jewellery component has been released to me by my jeweller.

Once everything has been checked, your inclusion is safely stored until your piece is ready to be made.

You'll then receive an inclusion arrival confirmation email, so you know I've received your loved one's precious inclusion safely.

Step 2: Your personalised stone is created

This is where your jewellery really begins to become unique.

I create the memorial stone inside the individual piece of jewellery itself. Because every setting has a different shape and size, each stone has to be made specifically for that piece.

I begin with a base in your chosen colour.

I then build the stone layer by layer, adding your chosen colours, opals and your loved one's ashes, hair or other inclusion according to the design you've selected.

Depending on the style you've chosen, your inclusion may be visible within the stone or discreetly placed between layers and covered with your chosen colour or opal.

If you've chosen sparkle, this is also incorporated according to your design.

Step 3: Each layer is carefully built and cured

Every layer is mapped out by hand before being top-coated and cured.

This process is repeated as the stone develops, allowing me to carefully build the colours, inclusions, opals and sparkle into your individual piece.

There isn't a single moulded stone that I simply place into your jewellery.

Your stone is created specifically for your individual piece.

This is particularly important when a design has several bezels. Some pieces can have as many as eight individual bezels, meaning each stone has to be created separately within each setting.

Step 4: Your stone is finished

Once the stone has been built, it goes through further curing and checking.

I then carefully sand and polish the finished stone before carrying out the final checks on the piece.

I look at the finished jewellery as a whole to make sure the stone, setting and overall appearance are as they should be before it leaves me.

Step 5: Your finished jewellery is checked

Before your jewellery is packed, I carry out final checks on the finished piece.

This is also when I make sure everything relating to your order is correct before it is prepared for dispatch.

Your jewellery isn't being passed from one department to another.

I make your piece and manage your order personally.

The only parts of the jewellery process that I don't personally carry out are the jewellery casting the silver or gold and hallmarking, which are completed by my trusted jeweller.

How long does memorial ashes jewellery take to make?

The actual creation of your memorial stone can take anywhere from approximately one to four hours, depending on the size and complexity of your piece.

A simple stone may take considerably less time than a piece containing several bezels, colours, opals and layers.

The overall order process takes longer because there are several stages involved, including receiving your inclusion, preparing your jewellery, creating and curing your stone, finishing and polishing the piece, carrying out final checks and preparing your order for dispatch.

As a general guide, I usually allow around one to four weeks for your finished jewellery to be completed and sent out.

You'll receive tracking and shipping information once your order is on its way.

Will I know when my loved one's ashes arrive?

Yes.

I send an inclusion arrival confirmation email once your precious inclusion has arrived safely.

I know that sending ashes can be one of the most worrying parts of the process, so I want you to know as soon as they are safely with me.

If you'd also like to see your jewellery being created, I can provide photographs or videos of the process on request, so you can see your piece taking shape.

What colours and designs can I choose?

When you order, you'll be able to select the options available for your chosen design, including things such as:

• Your preferred colour

• Opal options where available

• Sparkle

• How visible you would like your inclusion to be

The choices available depend on the particular design you've selected.

Your ashes, hair or fur are then incorporated into the stone as part of my individual layering process.

Because every inclusion is naturally different, every finished stone has its own character.

How are ashes jewellery stones made?

There isn't one standard appearance for memorial ashes jewellery because every stone is created individually.

I developed my own process through extensive research, practice and trial and error before creating Forever Near Jewellery.

I experimented with different techniques using inexpensive blanks and practice materials, including sand and imitation ashes, allowing me to test and refine the process before working with customers' precious inclusions.

Over time, I was able to develop and perfect the process I use today.

That experience is an important part of what makes my jewellery personal to Forever Near.

Is my jewellery made personally by you?

Yes.

I personally make the jewellery and manage the entire process at Forever Near Jewellery.

From checking your order and receiving your inclusion to creating your stone, finishing your piece, carrying out the final checks and preparing your order for dispatch, your jewellery is handled by me.

The only parts that are outsourced are the jewellery casting and hallmarking.

For me, this personal approach is important because I know that what you're sending me isn't simply a material for making jewellery.

It's part of someone you love.

What happens to my unused ashes?

As explained in my previous guide, I don't normally need to use all of the ashes you send.

I carefully select the pieces needed to create your jewellery, and your unused ashes or other inclusions are returned to you with your finished piece or pieces.

This also means that, where possible, the same inclusion can be used to create multiple pieces for family members while still allowing you to keep some safely for the future.

Creating something that means more

Memorial jewellery is more than simply a piece of jewellery.

Every order that arrives at Forever Near is connected to somebody's story, somebody's memories and somebody who is deeply missed.

That's why I take so much care with every stage of the process.

From the moment your inclusion arrives, I know exactly how precious it is.

I want the finished piece to be beautiful, but I also want you to feel reassured that your loved one's inclusion has been treated with the care and respect it deserves.

Ready to create your own memorial jewellery?

If you're ready to create a personal tribute using your loved one's ashes, hair or fur, explore the Forever Near Jewellery collections and find the design that's right for you.

And if you're unsure about anything before ordering, please get in touch. I'm always happy to answer questions and talk you through the process.

Forever Near Jewellery — keeping them close, always.

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