Keepsake Pendants

A unique memorial made from turquoise colored acrylic.

Losing a loved one is likely the most difficult situation individuals have to deal with. In the loss of a loved one we each deal with our grief in different ways. Accepting the loss of a loved one can be a struggle and many people tend to hold on to keepsakes or mementos that help preserve the memories. Cremation pendants offer a unique way to hold on to those memories. Typically designed with a small chamber, this jewelry offers individuals the chance to store something like ashes, dried flowers from a ceremony, a lock of hair or even some soil from the burial location. Cremation pendants help offer this unique connection to the deceased. 

A variety of different designs are available. The most common cremation pendants are in the shape of a cylinder or a heart. These attractive designs are typically very discreet and often go un-noticed. Many pieces, however, include a way for you to view the ashes from the outside. 

These pendants are typically sealed with the use of an adhesive such as Super Glue or epoxy. While many cremation pendants can be threaded shut without the use of adhesive, it is generally recommended to use adhesive to ensure the pendant doesn’t open over time. Epoxy glue is typically easier to work with as it cures slower and has a thicker consistency. Super Glue can be tricky due to it’s ‘runny’ nature and must be controlled carefully. Find more information on filling cremation pendants. 

A tradition of love

While cremation pendants are a newer concept, incarnations of this jewelry have been available for thousands of years in the form of mourning jewelry. Some of the first known pieces of mourning jewelry were found in the 16th and 17th century where they served as a reminder of the precious nature of life. Later on during the 17th and 18th century mourning rings were given to the families of the deceased as a sign of social status. This was a common practice among the wealthy class. 

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Vintage mourning locket shown with intricately woven hair

Later on hair was introduced to mourning jewelry. Similar to modern cremation pendants, a portion of hair was stored in a piece of jewelry to help bereaved families cope with the loss of a loved one. During the 1960′s the Roman Catholic Church approved the use of cremation. Over the next several decades cremation became more popular as religion, cost and the practicality made it’s way to main-stream. This new trend allowed for the evolution of new memorials such as cremation pendants.