Giving meaningful gifts is one of the best and most common ways people show their love and appreciation towards each other. It allows people to express how much someone means to them. Gift giving enables people to demonstrate that they care and they know what will be special to the other person. Because we put so much meaning into our gifts, it can sometimes become overwhelming when we try to find the perfect one; when special occasions roll around, we might feel stressed or lost thinking about what gift could touch the other person in the way we hope.
One option that is sure to capture the essence of your love and to feel meaningful to the recipient is a piece of ash jewelry if that person has recently, or even in their past, experienced the death of someone they loved. The emotions associated with death never truly go away, so ash jewelry is a gift that will always carry significance.
In this article, we outline everything you need to know about gifting ash jewelry so that on the next occasion, you don’t have to think twice about what to get your loved one or whether they will appreciate their gift.
Here’s what we will discuss:
- What is ash jewelry?
- What makes ash jewelry such a meaningful gift?
- To whom would you give a piece of ash jewelry as a gift?
- 10 Occasions to Give Someone the Gift of Ash Jewelry
- Things to Consider When Choosing the Ash Jewelry Gift
- How is it best to present the ash jewelry gift?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Ash Jewelry?
Ash jewelry is jewelry that is made with a small amount of a loved one’s ashes. The ashes are mixed in with resin of different colors which creates a beautiful piece of jewelry to honor a deceased family member or friend. It is similar to cremation jewelry, but rather than the jewelry acting as a container for some of the ashes, the ashes go directly into the production of the piece.
These gifts are unique and memorable, and each one of different from conception to completion. To find out more about ash jewelry, you can visit our ash jewelry guide.
What Makes Ash Jewelry Such A Wonderful Gift?
Deciding on a gift for someone you love can be stressful. We love our family and friends, and when the time comes to get them something special, we want it to embody all of the compassion we hold in our hearts for them—this is a lot of pressure!
Ash jewelry can be the perfect gift to encapsulate the love you have for that person, and it can be a meaningful way to show empathy when someone you care about loses someone special. These pieces of jewelry are great gifts for many reasons, which we have outlined below for you. If a family or friend has lost someone special, ash jewelry could be that meaningful gift that helps them begin healing.
IT'S PERSONAL
There is no gift more personal than one that contains the ashes of a loved one. This gift holds a piece of someone special and therefore holds memories that are particular to the recipient. Since the ashes go into the production of the jewelry, the owner will forever feel connected to the piece in a personal way; the jewelry would not exist as it does without their loved one’s contribution.
THE VARIETY
Another reason why jewelry made from ashes is a nice gift option is because there is such a wide variety of styles and designs to choose from; you can choose from a range of pieces depending on who you are gifting it to, for what occasion, and who the deceased is. You can select the type of jewelry, the color, the shape, and so on based on many different factors. There is a perfect choice for everyone, which is why ash jewelry is a great gift option. We have a great selection to choose from if this gift sounds right for you.
IT'S AFFORDABLE
For such a special gift, ash jewelry is affordable. It is a special piece of jewelry available at prices that represent its amazing quality, but that is accessible to most people who are searching for the perfect gift to buy their family member or friend. You can feel like you have purchased something special, yet it is not too expensive.
IT CAN LAST
Pieces of jewelry like jewelry made from ashes serve as amazing gifts because their good quality ensures that they will last a long time and be able to be a gift that the recipient gets to cherish for a long time. Not only that, these pieces can survive through generations and become a family heirloom that travels from the hands of one family member to the next, its importance increasing with each transfer.
IT IS CUSTOMIZABLE
Another fantastic thing about ash jewelry that you might notice as you look for the perfect gift is that it is so customizable. On top of the variety of options, and the intense personalization with the ashes in the piece, you can make this gift even more meaningful.
To customize the gift further, you can get different chains of varying lengths to fit the person you are giving it to. You can add personalized engravings on the back of the pieces with names, dates, or other special markings. There is a diverse selection of finishes you can choose from: sterling silver, gold plated, black plated, solid 14k gold, and bronze. Another option you could choose is adding a photo to the jewelry. Also, there is often a variety of resin colors to choose from and some can even have crushed gemstones included.
To Whom Would You Give Ash Jewelry To As A Gift?
Whether you have someone in mind who you need or want to buy a gift for, or you are now realizing how amazing ash jewelry is and you want to know who could appreciate a gift like this, the answer is quite simple: almost anyone. Because of the number of different options, there is likely a piece that would suit anybody, and everyone has probably experienced a heavy loss of some sort that could be properly commemorated through a piece of jewelry made with ashes. If you wish to express sympathy and condolences to anyone, you should consider ash jewelry as a way to do that.
ANY AGE
One of the amazing things about ash jewelry is that it makes a beautiful gift for people of all ages. Since there are so many different options, you are bound to find something that suits almost anyone. Jewelry is not an age-dependent item; everyone from children to elders can wear and appreciate jewelry, especially when it is as meaningful as this.
FAMILY MEMBERS
Family members are great recipients of a gift like ash jewelry. You are likely grieving a loss together; you will know your family member and the deceased and so finding the perfect piece will come easily.
FRIENDS
Friends hold such special places in our hearts. When it comes to helping them heal through a loss or showing them how much you care, simple but beautiful gifts like ash jewelry can go a long way. It is a gift that will last and will constantly remind them of your love and the love of the person they have lost.
GRIEVING PET OWNERS
Ash jewelry does not only make a great gift for someone who has lost a family member or a friend; these pieces also make excellent gifts for anyone who is struggling with the loss of a pet. Losing a pet is painful, just like any other type of loss. Gifting a grieving pet owner with jewelry made from their pet’s ashes is a unique way to show you care. This gift allows them to always have a piece of their pet with them wherever they go.
YOURSELF
Lastly, ash jewelry could make a wonderful gift to yourself. If you have recently lost someone and you are looking for a way to honor their memory to help yourself along the healing journey, consider investing in something nice for yourself. You could order exactly the style and design that means the most to you, and you can have this piece with you forever as you continue on throughout your life.
10 Occasions To Give The Gift Of Ash Jewelry
Ash jewelry is an amazing gift for several reasons—reasons which we have already discussed—however, another reason that makes ash jewelry a great option to consider when you need to get a gift for someone is that it is an appropriate choice for a long list of occasions. There is hardly a time when gifting ash jewelry would not be an appreciated action. Ash jewelry is a heartfelt token of love that a recipient would cherish on any occasion.
We have listed ten occasions when you could gift ash jewelry to someone you love. All of these are perfect days to show someone you care and invest in a meaningful gift of honor and peace.
ON A HOLIDAY
Some of the most common occasions we think about gift-giving are on holidays and special days throughout the year. There are specific days to celebrate certain events or people in our lives, and these occasions make great opportunities to show those important people how much they mean to us. We provide a list of some common holidays where ash jewelry could be the perfect gift.
Christmas
Christmas is a time that people love giving and receiving gifts. It is a time filled with joy and hope; however, it can also be a time that highlights the holes in our lives where loved ones used to be. An amazing gift for someone who has lost a loved one is ash jewelry, and Christmas is a holiday when many people could use the support.
First Holiday Without The Deceased
Christmas is a time that people love giving and receiving gifts. It is a time filled with joy and hope; however, it can also be a time that highlights the holes in our lives where loved ones used to be. An amazing gift for someone who has lost a loved one is ash jewelry, and Christmas is a holiday when many people could use the support.
Mother's Day
On Mother’s Day, ash jewelry could be a very special gift. This could be something you give to your own mother if she has lost someone special. It could be a gift you give to someone who has lost their mother and is experiencing their first Mother’s Day without them or having a particularly hard time coping. You could also gift this to a mother that perhaps has lost a child.
Father's Day
Similar to Mother’s Day, a nice day to celebrate and honor someone is on Father’s Day, whether your friend has lost their father, someone you know has lost a child, or your father is missing someone.
Thanksgiving
On Mother’s Day, ash jewelry could be a very special gift. This could be something you give to your own mother if she has lost someone special. It could be a gift you give to someone who has lost their mother and is experiencing their first Mother’s Day without them or having a particularly hard time coping. You could also gift this to a mother that perhaps has lost a child.
Valentine's Day
If someone you care about has lost their spouse or partner, Valentine’s Day could be a very difficult day to survive. Consider showing them you are there as support by investing in a piece of ash jewelry so that they can still appreciate this day with their lost loved one. This way, they can still experience their lost partner’s presence on this holiday revolving around love.
A GRIEVING GIFT OR KEEPSAKE
Ash jewelry makes a unique grieving gift or keepsake; it is so precious because it has some of the deceased ashes in it. The recipient can always hold that lost loved one close to them and can carry on throughout their life with that person by their side.
When A Loved One Passes
These pieces are beautiful gifts, and the recipient may want ash jewelry to wear to the deceased’s funeral or celebration of life. You could also gift it to them after they have had more time to heal, as these gifts can make people emotional. One of the most common occasions people gift someone ash jewelry is as a memorial keepsake, and it is obvious why—they make such amazing grieving gifts and can help comfort someone dealing with loss in a way that many other gifts cannot.
On The Anniversary Of The Death
The thing about grief and loss is that it never truly goes away, so even long after a death happens, the people around that person remain affected. Because of this, deep emotions can often resurface on special days or the anniversary of the death. These days can be very difficult, so it is important you learn how to support someone on the anniversary of a death. One way you could do this is to invest in a gift like ash jewelry to remind someone of the love and joy that the deceased gave them, and to comfort them in a time of hardship.
A Birthday Gift
Birthdays are fun and joyful days where we get to celebrate ourselves or someone important to us; however, sometimes birthdays can also bring up heavy feelings of loss, regret, and fear because we look back at our past and also forecast the future. It is a time when we love—and stress about—finding the perfect gift for that person, and we also appreciate meaningful gifts from our family and friends.
Their Birthday
It could be a family member or friend’s birthday and you want to offer them something significant to show how much you care for them. If they have recently lost an important person in their life, consider looking at some ash jewelry and finding the perfect piece to make this birthday particularly special.
The Deceased's Birthday
There will come a day when it is the birthday of someone who is no longer with you. There may be someone you know who is having a hard time dealing with a loss or surviving a deceased’s birthday. This could be a great opportunity to help them heal and to remind them of the love and happy memories associated with that person by gifting them ash jewelry.
A Pet's Birthday
Someone you know may have lost their fur companion, which is a difficult experience just like losing a friend or family member. To show you care for them, especially on tougher days like the pet’s birthday, invest in some ash jewelry and let them celebrate their pet’s birthday in a unique way with such a meaningful display of affection.
AT A MILESTONE
While milestones in our lives can feel like amazing accomplishments, sometimes that joy is dimmed by the looming thoughts of missing loved ones who are not around to celebrate with us. If you know someone who is dealing with this, or someone who has an important day coming up, consider looking at our ash jewelry selection so that you can allow them to have their lost loved one by their side.
Graduation
Graduation at any level—elementary, high school, college, or university—is an awesome achievement to be congratulated. Your friend or family member would likely appreciate your ash jewelry gift so that they can enjoy this moment, even with those people that cannot be present with them.
Getting A Driver's License
Getting a driver’s license, especially for a young teen, can feel like a significant rite of passage in their life. They may miss someone who is not here to see them grow up. You could cheer them up with a gift of ash jewelry on this special day.
Military Deployment
Military deployment can come with many deep emotions. Consider buying your friend or family member a piece of ash jewelry so that a lost loved one can be with them at all times, and so they can have a constant reminder of the love and the people in their life
Religious Sacrement Or Ceremony
If someone you know is coming up to a religious sacrament or ceremony, ash jewelry would be a nice gift so that they can have that special someone there with them to go through it. You could gift it to them before so they could wear it during the ceremony.
For A Pet
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, and it can summon up emotions similar to that of losing a loved one; it can be a difficult experience to undergo. If a family member or friend has recently lost a pet, you could look into jewelry made from ashes to honor their pet and help them through this tough time.
DURING A MAJOR LIFE CHANGE
When someone is coming up to or is going through a major life change, they likely need extra support, and they are also probably experiencing a lot of intense feelings. It could be nice for you to gift them with a meaningful piece of ash jewelry to help them along and to remind them of the love of the deceased.
Wedding
If someone you know is getting married and they are missing someone they lost in the past, you could look into buying them ash jewelry so that they can have that person with them on such an important day.
Getting A New Job
Getting a new job is one of the most stressful and exciting times for people. There are so many emotions running through a person, and giving them a gift at this time shows a lot of care; to make it even more special, consider something like jewelry made from ashes so the person can begin their new job with a lost loved one by their side.
Going To College
Leaving home to go to college is a huge milestone in a person’s life, and doing this without a loved one can be upsetting. A person could also feel like they are moving on with their life without that person, which can be difficult. You could offer some support with an ash jewelry gift so that the person can have the deceased with them as they take on this new chapter.
Moving
Going through a move is tough, whether just between buildings or in different cities or countries. Having a piece of ash jewelry during this time can bring some comfort, especially if the person is leaving a space that has a lot of memories of the deceased associated with it.
Becoming A Parent
If someone close to you is going to become a parent, they likely need your support as it is a huge life transition. It could be increasingly difficult if they feel like there is a void where someone important to them used to be; a piece of ash jewelry could comfort them as they take on the challenge of becoming a parent.
Before Traveling
Sometimes people give friends or family gifts before they travel, to remind them that they are being thought of while they are away. It can also become a comfort item for someone who is away from home. Ash jewelry could be the perfect gift for this, especially if the traveler has recently lost someone special.
DURING A DIFFICULT TIME
In our lives, we experience high periods and low periods, and sometimes for reasons unknown to us. It is a fact of life, yet it still feels nice when people demonstrate their care for us and show that they are by our side during these difficult times. Someone you know may be going through something like this and a beautiful way to display your love for them is to gift them with something that is meaningful and may help them through this period; ash jewelry is a great option.
Things To Consider When Choosing The Ash Jewelry Gift
Since jewelry made from ashes is such a unique and meaningful gift, it is not something you simply go into the store and pick out; it is a gift that requires thought and consideration. Ash jewelry is an item that the recipient will hold with them for a long time, so you want to ensure that you are making the right choices. You do not want to rush this process. We have helped you out by providing a list of some of the things you should consider when choosing the ash jewelry gift.
YOUR BUDGET
Before you can really begin choosing designs or colors, you need to know what your budget is—how much you can or will spend on this gift. Most ash jewelry costs between $100 and $300, and the prices can vary depending on other factors like where you are buying it from and what other customizations you choose.
THE RECIPIENT'S STYLE
If you are gifting ash jewelry to someone you care about, you likely already know this information, but it is worth mentioning that you should understand the recipient’s style. Are they more likely to wear a necklace or a bracelet? Would they like a dazzling pendant more or something daintier? What is their favorite color? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself before deciding on the piece.
THE MATERIAL
You should also consider what material suits the recipient best and what they wear the most. Try to think about what they wear more: gold or silver. Do you think they would like something from the category they do not have much of, or would they like to stick to their preferred material?
THE CUSTOMIZATION
Once you have decided on some of the basic elements of the jewelry, you can begin to think about any customization. This is where you should think about what would mean the most to the recipient. During this stage, keep your budget in mind.
THE OCCASION
When giving someone ash jewelry, especially if it is on a special occasion, you may want to keep that occasion in mind when choosing which piece to get. The occasion might influence the shape of the pendant you get, the color, and so on.
THE DECEASED
All of the things you consider about the recipient before you buy ash jewelry, you should also think about in terms of the deceased. The recipient probably wants a piece that will remind them of their loved one and that embodies who that person was. Think about the deceased’s favorite color, their preferred material, a particular shape they liked, and so on. This can make the gift even more special.
How Is It Best To Present The Ash Jewelry Gift?
You should put some thought into the “how”, “where”, and “when” you will hand this gift over to the recipient; after all, it is a very meaningful gesture. Along with an amazing show of love through this gift, you always want to present it in the most appropriate way, which varies depending on the person and the circumstances. After you have done your research, considered all of the things to think about before the purchase, and planned the occasion to hand it over, you should continue to handle this gift with grace and present it in the best possible way.
PRIVATELY
The first question you should ask yourself is how intimate this gift-giving is intended to be. If you know that the recipient is in a fragile mental state or that they get very emotional, or even that they get uncomfortable thinking or discussing feelings about the deceased with other people, it might be a good idea to give them the gift in private. This allows the experience to remain personal and gives the recipient space to process the ash jewelry on their own, without the eyes of others on them. This gift is bound to touch the heart, and many people like to have those moments alone.
PUBLICLY
If you think that the person receiving your gift will be able to emotionally handle it, you can give it to them while they are with other family and friends. If it is for a special occasion, everyone will likely be gathered to celebrate, and this could be the perfect time to present this unique gift. Others can also see and cherish it, honoring and remembering a passed loved one.
LOCATION
You may have a special place in mind that you want to take the recipient to give them their gift. Perhaps the deceased had a favorite park, restaurant, or place in their home. Since ash jewelry is such a sentimental gift, handing it over in a place that is also reminiscent of the deceased could make the gift even more powerful.
Since giving ash jewelry can arouse some intense emotions, you may also consider gifting it in a place where the recipient feels comfortable feeling whatever it is that arises. You may want to do it outdoors, in their room, or on a drive where they can allow themselves to be vulnerable, while still feeling at ease.
TIMING
It is also worth it to consider the timing when gifting ash jewelry. If you have purchased a piece of ash jewelry fairly soon after a difficult loss, the pain may still be too fresh. You may decide to wait a while until the recipient has had some more time to heal, or you may believe they are at a time when they could use something beautiful like a piece of ash jewelry to help them move forward.
Gifting Ash Jewelry Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ash jewelry cost?
The price of ash jewelry can vary depending on where you buy it from and what piece you choose but typically ash jewelry costs between $100 and $300. Special designs or extra customization can sometimes cost more than a standard piece.
How do I go about collecting ashes for a piece of ash jewelry?
To purchase ash jewelry, your loved one has to have been cremated. If you are not the person in possession of the cremains, but you would like to purchase a piece of ash jewelry, there are some things you can do to make that happen. Arrange a time and place to meet up with the holder and compassionately discuss what your plans are; ask gently if they would mind giving you some of the ashes to make that happen. If they are hesitant at first, or if they say no, use your judgment to decide whether it is something you would ask about again at a time when they could think more about it.
How long does it take to make a piece of ash jewelry?
The timeline involved in making ashes into jewelry can vary depending on which company you buy from, how busy they are, and what specificities you request with your order. The average time it takes to make ash jewelry is usually between four and ten weeks.
Can I give a child a piece of ash jewelry as a remembrance of a loved one?
The amazing thing about ash jewelry is that it makes a wonderful gift for people of all ages, and you can customize it so that it suits each recipient. In short—yes, you can give a child a piece of ash jewelry as a remembrance of a loved one.
What is the difference between ash jewelry and cremation jewelry?
Although they can both offer similar designs and styles, the main difference between ash jewelry and cremation jewelry is that cremation jewelry has part of the piece hollowed out to hold ashes in it, while ash jewelry is jewelry made with some of the ashes of a loved one used directly in the production of the piece.
Why is ash jewelry a good gift for someone who is grieving?
Ashes made into jewelry pieces are good gifts for people who are grieving because they can suit people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and styles. There are endless options for colors, designs, and extra customizations. It is a good quality gift that is also affordable, and it is a long-lasting piece that can be held onto forever and passed down to other family members. It is a piece that allows the recipient to feel close to their loved one and to remain connected as they move through life without them.
Gifting A Lifetime Memory
Ash jewelry is an amazing gift for many reasons, and it can be a gift that melts away your stress when you are searching for the perfect thing to get for someone you care about. Loss is a universal experience, and being there for our fellow family and friends is an important part of both grieving and healing; a beautiful way to show someone that you support them is through a gift like ash jewelry.
Ash jewelry is an amazing gift for many reasons, and it can be a gift that melts away your stress when you are searching for the perfect thing to get for someone you care about. Loss is a universal experience, and being there for our fellow family and friends is an important part of both grieving and healing; a beautiful way to show someone that you support them is through a gift like ash jewelry.
September 7, 2023 by Jeri K. Augustus
