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 goes by many names and forms. My introduction to it came while working at the Hunt Museum in Limerick, Ireland. However, it wasn’t until the passing of my granny, Pat, in 2021, that I felt such a personal connection to this type of sentimental jewelry. There’s something deeply meaningful about holding onto a loved one in such a tangible way.

A (very) Brief History:

Memorial jewelry dates back to ancient civilizations like Rome and Egypt, where it included rings with bones and teeth. The Victorian era saw its peak, with Queen Victoria's mourning for Prince Albert influencing trends. Mourning jewelry featured materials like jet, human hair, and black enamel, often adorned with symbols of death such as skulls and urns.

Recent Years

Recently, memorial jewelry has become more personalized, often incorporating a loved one's cremated remains, hair, or fur. It offers a meaningful way to keep loved ones close, with pieces serving as sweet reminders.

Choosing the right term for my custom memorial work has been tricky, as it’s known by many names like Keepsake Jewelry, Cremation Jewelry, and Tribute Jewelry. I chose “Memorial” because it offers flexibility in materials and focuses more on honoring loved ones than on grief. Memorial jewelry blends tradition with modern design, creating a meaningful connection between the past and present.