Our keepsakes are so much more than just jewellery.
They can bring comfort and healing, give you a warm emotional hug or remind you of favourite moments with your loved ones.
When we experience grief and loss, we wonder if there is something that we can do with their ashes. Is there an alternative to the traditional urns? Can we use their belongings to make something special in remembrance?
Megan Goldner Designs can create keepsakes from more than just ashes. In addition to human and pet cremains, items like locks of hair, fur, fabric from a favourite shirt or blanket, special occasion flowers and botanicals, sand from a favourite holiday, lace from a wedding gown, breast milk, horse mane, porcupine quills, shells, shark teeth and a dog and cat collar has all been sent to us before.
Here is our ultimate guide to choosing your MGD Keepsake piece:
Keepsake Jewellery created with Resin Composite Stones
Resin composite is a lovely and adaptable medium to work with. We can create about any colour and style you desire. Almost anything can be incorporated into resin, which is one of the best multipurpose agents for keepsake jewellery.
We never use UV resin under any circumstances to make your keepsakes; instead, we use and only work with various high-quality, jewellers grade resins.
Our resin composite stones are a combination of your keepsakes, resin, cruelty free colour pigments and/or shimmer or semi-precious gemstones.
Is it durable?
Like most jewellery, resin jewellery should be treated as delicately as possible.
Pros:
- Price. Resin composite stone jewellery is cost effective.
- The most versatile medium for an artist to craft your keepsakes with.
- Annual professional maintenance is recommended.
- Durable and can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.
- Most suitable for pendants, earrings, charms and cuff bangles. Extra care should be taken with rings and bracelets.
- Suitable for rings if care instructions are followed,
Cons:
- Requires ongoing maintenance, at least monthly maintenance with a resin polish and cloth and yearly checkups.
- Rings are not suitable to be worn 24/7.
- Difficult and sometimes costly to resize rings. Most often it requires us to completely re-make the Keepsake stones.
- The resin may react if exposed to chemicals like chlorine and other cleaning products. Epoxy and Urethane resin is soluble in alcohol and acids, including vinegar; please avoid contact with these substances.
- Resin can shrink and expand depending on the surrounding temperatures. Regular checking is required to ensure your keepsake stone does not become loose.
- Your resin piece may change colour over time, primarily white and transparent resin pieces. The lighter the shade of your stone, the more noticeable the colour change will be, regardless of added UV protection.
- Professional maintenance is recommended at least annually to remove light surface scratches and any discolouration.
Our promise to you is only to use the highest grade of jeweller’s grade Epoxy / Urethane Resin with UV filters available on the market and to never use UV curing resin.
UV Curing Resin – this type of resin is similar to nail gel that cures under a UV light. It is toxic and contains no UV filters, and therefore will change colour in a matter of months. We do not use this type of resin at all.
Jewellers grade Resin with UV filters: This type of resin is mixed from 2 parts in order to activate the curing process. Depending on the type and brand, they contain UV filters that filters out the harmful UV rays which slows down the yellowing process.
Keepsake Jewellery created with genuine Gemstones
We work with reputable gem dealers to bring your authentic and conflict free gemstones.
We work with both flatback cabochons and faceted gemstones, and your keepsake will be gently nestled below your sparkling gemstone. As always, we treat your keepsake with the utmost respect and carefully preserve it to ensure longevity. Many customers prefer this jewellery style if they do not want the keepsake to be visible. The wearer can then choose whether to share the special meaning behind their jewellery with others. This option is available with most of our rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets, but it’s better to check in with us if you want this option.
Pros:
- Cremation Jewellery can be worn daily, depending on your choice of gemstone.
- Can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
- Suitable for most jewellery styles and settings
- Some special care might be required for ring settings, e.g. softer stones like Opal and Pearls
Cons:
- Price of gemstones and setting fees.
- Some gemstones are softer than others. We are happy to guide you through and offer choices.
Ash Infused Metal Jewellery
First of its kind in South Africa, ash infused metal jewellery is respectfully crafted for you in our studio taking care to incorporate as much Keepsakes as we can without compromising the quality of the metal. Your keepsake is directly infused into solid metals, like sterling silver and gold, allowing your most treasurable keepsake to be safely tucked away.
A gentle dance between fire and soul, our ash infused metal jewellery is timeless, meaningful and can last a lifetime.
Pros:
- Ash-Infused jewellery can be worn daily with normal jewellery care.
- It can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
- Keepsakes are gently hidden away and only you and us will know it is there.
- Can be set with a gemstone of your choice.
Cons:
- Limited design options. We are working on expanding the range.
Urn-Style Keepsake Jewellery
Keep your loved ones close with Urn and Lockets. This a beautiful alternative if you prefer not to send your keepsake to us and instead fill in your jewellery with your keepsake. Often designed to hold precious remains but can be filled with a lock of hair, fur and other precious mementos like beach sand or sand from a final resting place.
This type of keepsake jewellery is suitable to wear and protect your most valuable keepsakes every day due to being made from solid metals, like stainless steel, sterling silver, white, rose or yellow gold.
Pros:
- No need to send your Keepsakes to us
Cons:
- Limited in design
- Usually, cannot be altered
- Limited stock available
- You will have to handle the Keepsakes yourself.
- Can be heavier than other keepsake jewellery.
Contact us if you have any questions.
