Memorial Jewelry

I wrote this short text about Memorial Jewelry. If you'd like to contact me about your own custom memorial piece, you can reach me through the contact form here.

Memorial Jewelry has many different names and many different forms. I was first introduced to memorial and memento-mori jewelry while working the Hunt Museum in Limerick, Ireland. Though it wasn’t until the passing of my granny, Pat, just under two years ago,that I realised it was the area of sentimental jewelry that resonated with me the most. There is something really beautiful about being able to hold on to someone who has passed on, in a tangible way.

A (very) Brief History:

The tradition of Memorial Jewelry dates back to ancient civilizations. In Ancient Rome and Egypt early forms of memorial jewelry included rings and other items incorporating bones and teeth. This jewelry often played a significant role in funerary practices. The Victorian era marked the peak of mourning jewelry’s popularity. Queen Victoria’s prolonged mourning for Prince Albert set a trend for mourning customs. Memorial jewelry often included jet, human hair or black enamel and used symbols of death such as skulls, urns and weeping willows.

Recent Years

In more recent years, memorial jewelry has evolved to include more personalised and varied designs. Modern pieces often incorporate a portion of a loved one’s cremated remains, hair or fur. It allows people to keep their loved ones close. It feels really special to be able to look down at your hand, or see your reflecton wearing a pendant, with a sweet reminder of someone who meant a lot.

I’ve struggled a bit deciding on the best descriptor for my custom memorial work. It’s also referred to as Remembrance Jewelry, Keepsake Jewelry, Cremation Jewelry, Ash Jewelry, Urn Jewelry, Memorial Keepsakes, Bereavement Jewelry, Tribute Jewelry, and Hair Work Jewelry. Ultimately, I felt that “Memorial” was the most fitting, it leaves space for a wider range of materials and doesn’t focus too heavily on the complex stages of grief.

Memorial jewelry continues to be a meaningful way to honour and remember loved ones, blending historical traditions with contemporary designs. Each piece becomes a deep link between the past and the present.