Memorial jewellery is experiencing a resurgence of popularity in recent years, giving mourners a chance to commemorate and celebrate their loved ones after they have passed on. This stunning subset of the jewellery genre creates wearable pieces which infuse ashes or hair into a special resin or polymer, available in a selection of different styles and colours to match the preferences of the wearer.
Yet this style of jewellery is not new and commemorating a loved one with cremation jewellery or memorial jewellery has a long history.
Turning to the past
While for many, the concept of memorial jewellery may be new, jewellery designed for mourning is part of a long tradition. It really took off during the Victorian era, when symbols of a loved one who had passed were something which was treasured and even expected to be seen in everyday life.
There are many reasons why this was such a popular jewellery style during this time, but most pertinently, it was a time when life was considered both precious and fragile. Sickness and death were considered part of life, and they were also regularly seen by all sections of society. A challenging and rapidly developing world led to poor working conditions, and plenty of dangers in the home.
Mourning jewellery, as it was known to the Victorians, therefore provided a way to commemorate the lives of those who had died, keeping them close in the form of beautiful jewellery. Of the pieces which survive today, many have the distinctive characteristics of Victorian jewellery, with ornate adornments and the use of gold and silver. Inscriptions were also a key part of this jewellery style.
Modern memorial jewellery
The modern take on memorial jewellery is at once more classic and streamlined and reflects the changing tastes of customers. At Nicky Robin, our designs come in a range of different colours so you can select something you’ll want to wear time and again – and each hand-crafted piece is made lovingly, infusing the ashes or hair of a loved one who has passed on to create a one-of-a-kind design.
Modern technology helps in other ways, too. In addition to being able to order your piece and send inclusions via the post, all items are shipped free of charge (UK only) on completion. This is a process quite different to the one which a Victorian audience would have expected, but again shows the evolution of these stunning pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, lockets and charms.
In the UK we have one of the strictest systems in the world for testing and quality marking items. This makes it a fantastic way of guaranteeing the precious metal item you are purchasing is indeed what you believe it to be.
I am proud to have my hallmark registered with the London Assay office and to have my work checked here. My makers mark is an oval shaped stamp with the initials LJG; the G is from my maiden name. Each person or company’s stamp is unique so the maker of a piece can be identified.
