Cremation Rings for Ashes: The Ultimate Guide

Table of contents

• The origin of diamond rings
• What is a cremation ring?
• How are cremation rings made?
• What volume of ashes do you need to make a cremation ash ring?
• How can I be sure my cremation ring will fit?
• Why is a cremation diamond more special than a regular diamond?
• The value of cremation rings
• Different styles of rings made from ashes
• Keep their memory alive with cremation rings for ashes

The past months haven’t been easy for anyone. If you were unfortunate enough to lose someone close to you in 2021, designing a cremation ring can help you through the grieving process. But with so many different types of diamonds to choose from, as well as a huge choice of different settings, picking a meaningful cremation ring which you’ll treasure forever can often seem a task too big to handle when you’re going through a difficult time.

To help you understand exactly what cremation rings are and support you while you create your one-of-a-kind piece of memorial jewelry, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to creation rings made from ashes.

THE ORIGIN OF DIAMOND RINGS

The first diamond ring dates back to 1477, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond engagement ring to his beloved Mary of Burgundy. The beautiful ring featured a long and narrow row of diamonds mounted into the shape of an “M”. From that groundbreaking moment, the popularity of using diamonds in rings soared.

Today, not only are diamonds the gemstone of choice for engagement rings, and eternity rings, they’re also the preferred jewel for creamation rings. 

WHAT IS A CREMATION RING?

A cremation ring is a type of jewelry made to honor the death of a loved one. Heart In Diamond’s cremation ring jewelry features one or more diamonds made from the cremated ashes of someone who’s passed away. Other options include different gemstones or glass beads with ashes swirled within.

Cremation rings and other memorial jewelry are typically worn by surviving friends, spouses and other family members in memory of the deceased. They come in a huge variety of styles, with ample precious metals, settings and gemstone types to choose from.

HOW ARE CREMATION RINGS MADE?

To begin the process of turning ashes into a ring, the cremated remains from a person or a pet are needed. The carbon is then extracted from the ashes before it’s pressed into graphite using high pressure and extreme temperatures.

The graphite is placed inside a core with a metal catalyst and a diamond seed. More intense heat is applied and after several months, a rough diamond is born. This is the same process which occurs naturally deep below the Earth’s crust.

The diamond is then cut and shaped to the client’s requests and placed within the chosen ring setting.

WHAT VOLUME OF ASHES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A CREMATION ASH RING?

The amount of ashes needed to make a cremation ash ring depends on the style of ring you choose. To make a diamond from ashes, you need ⅔ cup of ashes. But if you choose a design in which ashes are swirled into a gemstone or glass, you only need around 1 teaspoon of ashes.

HOW CAN I BE SURE MY CREMATION RING WILL FIT?

When you buy a cremation diamond ring, you’re buying a high-quality piece of jewelry you can trust. Most cremation jewelry websites use standard sizing. So if you know your ring size, you can simply select it when designing your ring and you’ll be sure it will fit.

If you’re not certain what your ring size is, take a look at the inside of the band on a ring which fits you perfectly. The size will often be printed there. If not, you can print off a ring size guide or purchase a physical one online.

WHY IS A CREMATION DIAMOND MORE SPECIAL THAN A REGULAR DIAMOND?

Although cremation diamonds and mined diamonds are identical in terms of composition and visual appearance, cremation diamonds are truly unique and unlike any other in the world. Cremation diamonds contain the genuine ashes of a loved one, creating a meaningful keepsake that allows you to hold onto their memory.

THE VALUE OF CREMATION RINGS

Cremation rings haven’t always been made from diamonds. When memorial jewelry was first introduced, it was often made by securing hair, ash, nails or blood between two plates of glass. This special keepsake would then become the focus point of the piece of remembrance jewelry.

While there remains a wide selection of custom cremation jewelry available today, one of the most popular choices is cremation rings for ashes. The reason for this is unlike glass or weaker gemstones which can wear down over time, diamonds are forever. 

The strongest substance on the planet, diamonds can be passed down through generations. By using the ashes of a loved one to make a cremation diamond, this enables them and their memory to live on in the family for centuries. 

From rich red to sparkling white, from the classic round diamond to the modern cushion cut, the colours and shapes of cremation diamonds and cremation rings are fully customizable. The many different options available allow you to perfectly tailor your piece of cremation jewelry so it truly represents the person it’s honoring. 

Rings made from ashes have the power to promote healing in those who are grieving. They provide an unparalleled connection with the person who’s passed on, serving as a gentle reminder of happy memories and experiences you shared. They’re a wonderful way to pay tribute to someone no longer around.

DIFFERENT STYLES OF RINGS MADE FROM ASHES

If you want a heart-felt way of remembering someone who’s passed on, there’s no better way to honor them than with cremation jewelry. By forging a unique diamond from their cremains and placing it in a beautiful setting, you can keep their memory close to you forever.

Out of all the cremation jewelry available, a ring is an excellent choice because there are so many different types from which to choose. From minimalist contemporary rings to intricate vintage rings, from sparkling halo rings to subtle solitaire rings, the vast assortment of cremation ring designs means you can always find a ring that works for them.

ENGAGEMENT RING

You can trace the first engagement ring all the way back to Ancient Rome. Centuries ago, Roman women wore rings made from bone, ivory, flint, copper or iron as a symbol of a business contract or affirmation of mutual love.

However, it wasn’t until 850 that engagement rings were given official meaning. In that year, Pope Nicholas I declared an engagement ring to be a symbol of a man’s intent to marry a woman. Back then, the average engagement ring was a simple gold band.

Today, most engagement rings feature at least one diamond. The process of using cremation ash to form a unique and meaningful engagement ring is growing in popularity. 

WEDDING RING

There’s evidence to suggest that the first wedding ring dates as far back as 4000 B.C. to the times of the Ancient Egyptians. But back then, it’s most likely rings were made from leather, bone or reeds — not precious metals and gemstones.

Modern rings are most commonly a fairly minimalist band made of silver, gold or platinum. However, there are plenty of more eye-catching wedding band options for anyone who wants something more special.

Creating a ring for cremation ashes is a wonderful way to have a loved one attend your wedding day in spirit, even if they can’t be there in person. 

ETERNITY RING

An eternity ring is a physical representation of undying love. Often given by a man to a woman following an engagement and wedding ring, an eternity ring takes the form of a metal band with a single or double row of diamonds. The diamonds can run halfway around the band or all the way around the band, creating a full circle.

Eternity rings can easily be made into cremation ashes rings, since they already feature a number of small diamonds. You can honor a single person within an eternity ring by making one diamond from ashes, or commemorate several special people by using ashes to make a number of diamonds within the ring.

Although an eternity ring is traditionally given from a husband to a wife, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can create an eternity ring from cremated ashes, showing your eternal love for the people you’ve lost. 

SOLITAIRE RING

The most common style for an engagement ring, a solitaire ring features a single diamond as the centerpiece. This simple, classic design allows the gemstone to truly shine, flaunting its magnificence without being over the top.

A magnificent choice for a cremation ashes ring, a memorial solitaire ring provides you with a tactile keepsake which can provide immense comfort during difficult times. To make your cremation solitaire ring even more special, you can add an engraving to the memorial diamond. 

CATHEDRAL RING

A variation of a solitaire ring, a cathedral ring also features a single center diamond. The primary difference is that a cathedral ring is instantly recognizable, thanks to its unique setting which is reminiscent of the doorways and ceilings of Gothic cathedrals.

In this design, the diamond is secured in place by a raised profile and flanked by arches of metal ascending from the shank. This simple look allows the diamond to take center stage and appear more prominent than other, more complicated designs.

HALO RING

Another popular choice for an engagement ring, a halo ring is similar to a solitaire, taking sophisticated sparkle to the next level. This style of ring features a center diamond surrounded by a “halo” of smaller diamonds. Halo rings create a big impact and often cost less than a large solitaire ring of the same size.

A halo cremation ring can be used to immortalize one or several people. You can use ashes to create the center diamond alone, or use ashes to create several of the surrounding diamonds which form the halo.

SHOULDER SET RING

The most dazzling of all cremation ash rings, the shoulder set ring is easily identified by its many diamonds. This type of ring features a center diamond, an optional halo and one or more channels of diamonds running down either side of the band.

A flexible choice for cremation jewelry, a shoulder set ring can honor a single person by showcasing one memorial diamond or honor several people, using a number of memorial diamonds in the shoulder channel running along the band.

VINTAGE RING

By definition, a vintage ring is a piece of jewelry that’s between 20 and 99 years old. However, most people define a vintage ring by its style, which should be reminiscent of the Art Nouveau era, Edwardian era, Art Deco era, etc.

Vintage rings often have intricate details, such as filigree and scrollwork, creating a beautifully detailed and enchanting ring. As vintage rings provide a connection to the past, they’re a great choice for rings for cremation ashes.

CONTEMPORARY RING

The opposite of a vintage ring, a contemporary ring a simple, minimalist style ring with few details. Instead of highlighting complex engravings and sophisticated metalwork, these modern rings keep things simple with clean shapes and modern settings. Their simplicity makes them ideal for people who prefer subtle jewelry.

Contemporary rings’ uncomplicated appearance also makes them a suitable choice for cremated ashes rings because they can be worn everyday without attracting too much attention or being a hindrance to daily activities.

CREMATION RING WITH BIRTHSTONES

When it comes to cremation jewelry, rings don’t just have to be made with diamonds — they can be made with any birthstone. Choosing the birthstone of the person you want to remember provides an extra layer of meaning to any piece of cremation jewelry, making your keepsake even more significant and beautiful.

You can turn any style of ring into a cremation ring with birthstones. From a solitaire ring made from a single memorial gemstone to an eternity ring made from several memorial gemstones, turning ashes into rings this way always delivers wonderful results.

KEEP THEIR MEMORY ALIVE WITH CREMATION RINGS FOR ASHES

The death of a loved one doesn’t have to mean forgetting them. Instead, you can create a beautiful piece of cremation jewelry to remember them forever.

From cremation pendants and cremation earrings to cremation bracelets and cremation rings, taking the time to design a precious piece of memorial jewelry made from the ashes of a loved one helps you heal and move on. With the right cremation ring, you can feel close to the person you’ve lost and remember the happy times you spent together.