Why an Urn Necklace Is the Most Popular Memorial Option

The urn necklace has become one of the most recognized forms of cremation jewelry because of how it’s made. Each piece follows a controlled process that either fuses ashes into molten borosilicate glass or seals them within a fillable pendant.

These same methods define our core work. Pendants, cremation rings, masculine rings, and hearthwood pendants are all built through precise steps that keep the ashes permanently contained within each design.

Our Most Requested Cremation Pieces

Cremation jewelry represents most of what we create in our studio. Two pieces define this line: pendants and cremation rings. Both are designed to hold ashes securely, and they remain among our most requested items. These pieces form the foundation of our cremation jewelry work, where every design centers on keeping ashes enclosed within the structure.

We also produce men’s rings, and many men prefer them over pendants. Our masculine ring line follows the same standards of construction while offering a different form. Even with that option available, pendants remain popular with both men and women for their simple, reliable design.

Key Takeaway: Our cremation jewelry line centers on pendants, cremation rings, and masculine rings, and we design each piece to hold ashes securely.

How Pendants Are Commonly Used

Placement and Wear

Pendants serve several practical purposes. Some people wear them daily on a chain as part of their routine. Others clip them to a keychain. Some hang them from a rearview mirror so the piece stays visible in one spot.

At home, people often place pendants where they can see them regularly. One example someone shared with us is hanging the pendant on a bathroom mirror. These choices show how easily a single pendant can fit into different locations without changing its structure.

Design Feature That Supports Multiple Uses

Each pendant includes an added loop. This loop allows the piece to be used in different ways. Because of this, the pendant does not have to remain on a chain. The loop supports tying the pendant to a keychain, hanging it from a rearview mirror, or placing it on a mirror in the home.

Key Takeaway: The added loop gives each pendant flexible placement, supporting daily wear, keychain attachment, or hanging it in specific areas of the home or vehicle.

Need cremation jewelry instead of a standard urn necklace? Contact Sands of Time to speak with our artists.

How We Incorporate Ashes into Glass Jewelry

Why Borosilicate Glass Is Used

Much of our cremation jewelry uses borosilicate glass. One of our artists specializes in this material. Pyrex uses the same type of glass, and it delivers the highest durability of any glass. We use this glass for most wearable pieces in our studio because it offers strong durability and performs well during molten processes.

Imploding the Ashes

This process permanently fuses the ashes into molten borosilicate glass, so they stay enclosed inside the piece.

1. We begin with a ball of clear molten glass.
2. We press it into a section of the marver pad containing frit and ashes.
3. The frit is tiny granules of colored glass chosen by the customer.
4. Heat and gravity pull the outer clear glass around the color and ashes.
5. Everything becomes trapped inside as the glass is heated and fired.

This method ensures the ashes stay fused within the glass. If the piece breaks, no ash comes out because it is part of the glass itself.

Pro Tip: In fused glass pieces created through the implosion process, ashes become permanently part of the borosilicate glass.

Hearthwood Pendant Option

Hearthwood pendants offer a different type of construction. These pendants contain a small vial with a wood encasement. You can fill the vial with a small amount of ashes.

People use hearthwood pendants in situations where they want to carry or place a small amount of ashes. These pendants are great for scattering or for keeping a small portion nearby. Some people choose them for vacations or for locations that were meaningful to them and their loved ones.

For those who use both a permanent glass piece and a scattering option, a hearthwood pendant can serve alongside their fused glass jewelry.

Key Takeaway: Hearthwood pendants use a wood-encased fillable vial designed for holding a small amount of ashes, including during scattering or while visiting meaningful places.

Working With Our Cremation Jewelry

Our cremation jewelry line includes pendants, cremation rings, masculine rings, and hearthwood pendants. Every description in this article comes directly from the processes and uses we describe in our studio.

If your search for an urn necklace brought you here and you want to work with artists experienced in these methods, contact Sands of Time to begin your cremation jewelry order.