6 cremation rings for ashes and how to wear them

Despite our differences, one thing that unites all of us throughout the world is the pain and grief we experience following the death of a loved one. It doesn’t matter whether we lose a family member, a friend or a pet, the anguish and sorrow which remains after saying goodbye can feel like too much to bear. 

Having a physical reminder of the one you shared such a strong connection can help ease some of the pain. Being able to hold the memento in your hand and reminisce about all the great times you shared together is one way to brighten up dark days.

While memorial jewellery comes in many shapes and forms, most people choose to celebrate the life of their lost loved one by turning their ashes into a ring. This way you can keep the person you lost close by day and night and remember the happy times when you’re feeling down.

Transforming ashes into rings in the UK is a simple and beautiful way to pay tribute to someone you’ve lost, ensuring their memory will never be forgotten.

Bespoke cremation rings UK

As more people choose to have their deceased loved ones cremated instead of buried, cremation rings in the UK are becoming more popular each year.

While some designs can be identified as pieces of cremation jewellery due to memorial engravings or visible cremains, other rings made from ashes are indiscernible from any other type of jewellery. This means it’s quite likely you’ve already seen ashes in a ring worn by a stranger on the street but didn’t even realise.

This is one of the best things about turning ashes into rings in the UK. The huge number of options available mean you can create an eye-catching ring which acts as a conversation piece or a subtle, personal tribute to the person you lost which no one else has to know about.

To help you design the most suitable tribute to commemorate your loved one, here’s a complete guide to the cremation rings for ashes currently available and creative ways to wear them. 

Different types of cremation rings

There’s an amazing choice of rings for ashes available in the UK today. At Heart In Diamond, we specialise in elegant cremation diamond rings made from the ashes of deceased loved ones and pets. But there are many other types of ash rings, too.

From cremation rings with coloured gemstones and tiny urns for ashes to memorial rings made by swirling ash into glass beads and pieces of solidified cremains, there’s a type of cremation ring to suit you, however you want to commemorate your loved one.

Diamond

Cremation diamonds are man-made diamonds grown from carbon extracted from cremated remains. They look identical to mined diamonds and have the exact same chemical makeup.

Just like the diamonds used for standard diamond rings, diamonds used for ashes rings come in a wide variety of colours, cuts and carats. From iconic white brilliant solitaires to creative red hearts, a diamond ring made from ashes is one of the most sophisticated and long-lasting ways to remember a loved one.

Gemstone

Rings for ashes of a loved one can also be made by combining them with molten glass to create gemstones. Although keepsakes made this way aren’t technically gemstones, they do have the same appearance as rubies, sapphires, peridots and other precious gems.

Gemstone cremation rings often come in the same design choices as diamond cremation rings and can be as subtle or extravagant as you decide.

Glass

Unlike diamond and gemstone rings, glass rings allow you to see the actual ashes in the ring. To create this look, the ashes are carefully swirled or sprinkled into molten glass and left to set into a solid bead.

After the glass bead containing the cremains has been formed, it’s set into a ring design. As this type of ashes ring often features an intricate, eye-catching pattern, the rest of the ring is usually simple and minimalist.

Combination

Recently, a new design of ring to put ashes in has appeared. This unique piece combines the ashes of a deceased loved one with crushed glass or gemstones, such as opals, to create a loving tribute.

While diamond, gemstone and glass rings tend to combine the ashes into a single focal point separate from the rest of the band, combination rings incorporate the ash and crushed glass or gemstones into a thick ring which runs around the centre of the otherwise plain band.

As combination rings are often chunkier and less delicate than other styles of rings from ashes, they’re particularly popular amongst men.

Solidified cremains

A solidified cremains ring is a fitting choice if you want the world to know that you’ve transformed your loved one’s ashes to a ring. In this style, the cremated remains are fused with clear glass, creating a dark grey bead of visible ash.

The dark grey colour of the ashes is similar to the black memorial jewellery which was popular during Victorian times. Because of this, many solidified cremains rings feature vintage jewellery designs inspired by that era.

Urn

The original way to turn ashes into a ring, urn cremation rings contain small compartments to hold a tiny quantity of ashes. Instead of an actual urn, the compartment to hold the ashes is usually in the shape of a love heart, flower, angel wings or star. Urn cremation rings to hold pet ashes can also be made into the shape of paw prints or pet toys.

Although urn rings aren’t visually unique like the other types of cremation rings in this list, some people prefer them because they’re faster and easier. Instead of sending your ashes to a specialist jeweller and waiting for your gemstone or bead to be created, you simply order your chosen urn ring and add the ashes yourself when it arrives.

How to wear it

Just as there’s more than one way to turn ashes into rings, so too is there more than one way to wear a cremation ring. Here are some ideas to inspire you

Finger

The simplest way to wear a ring made from ashes is on one of your fingers. The finger you choose is entirely up to you. If the ring is to commemorate the life of your partner, you might decide to wear it on your wedding finger. While if the ring is a tribute to a lost child, your little finger might be a better choice.

Necklace

Cremation rings can also be worn on a necklace, like a pendant. This option is a great solution if you’ve received the ring from another family member and it doesn’t fit. For example, if your dad gave you his cremation ring as part of your inheritance, you can wear it around your neck on a chain.

Bracelet

Similarly, you can also wear your ash ring on a bracelet, like a charm. This is another way to wear a ring that doesn’t fit you and commemorate the memory of someone important. If the ring moves about too much on its own, you can have a special link made to connect the ring to the bracelet permanently.

Display

Even though rings are designed for wearing, you don’t have to wear them if you choose not to. By placing your cremation ring on your bedside table, your desk or anywhere else you spend a lot of time, you’ll be able to maintain your connection to your loved one and remember the happy times.

Turning forsaken ashes into something special

It’s normal to want to hold onto someone after they’ve gone. But placing an urn of ashes on your mantelpiece can feel redundant and empty. The notion of watching the dust gradually collect on the urn before you one day decide to move it into a storage cupboard or your garage can be heartbreaking.

By transforming your loved one’s ashes from the simple contents of an urn to a personal and meaningful cremation ring, you’re ensuring their memory will live on forever. Each time you see your bespoke piece of jewellery glisten in the light, you’ll be reminded that your loved one is watching over you.