Sometimes, grief will cling to a small tangible object. For instance, a collar. A beloved blanket. Most recently, a very small piece of a piece of jewelry that has just a bit of what’s been abandoned left in it.
Over past years, the dog ashes jewelry has been one of the most popular pet memorial keepsake forms. And this makes sense the way grief gets carried out with you instead of being locked inside the box on a shelf is the same way as carrying it in a piece of jewelry. However, this being so, similar to any other jewelry that is to be a part of your regular attire, it will require special attention if you desire it to continue looking attractive for many years rather than the few months.
Below, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to do that, which are in alignment with the ones of jewelers, materials and loss of pet counselors.
Why Dog Ashes Jewelry Needs Different Care Than Regular Jewelry
Most memorial jewelry pieces aren’t just solid metal, rather they are sealed chambers, vials, or settings that are used to hold ashes usually mixed in with a resin, glass or lab-created stone.
The construction of such jewelry is important. A regular gold ring is a material and can be scrubbed, boiled, or steam-cleaned without even giving it a second thought. Whereas a jewelry piece containing a seal of ashes cannot be handled in a similar fashion.
- Sealed compartments can deteriorate if the metal is harsh or if the temperature is very high.
- Resin-based inclusions may yellow under the influence of UV lights and can be scratched more easily than gemstones.
- Glass beads are strong and have excellent durability but can crack due to sudden temperature changes, eg. from being parked in a hot car and then suddenly entering a cool air-conditioned room.
To be able to care for your piece correctly you need to know in detail the materials it consists of.
Daily Care Habits That Actually Matter
Remove Memorial Jewelry Before Certain Activities
Three activities in particular have been pointed out by jewelers as the top reasons for jewelry to be in such a bad way too early: swimming especially when chlorine is used, showering while using soap or shampoo, and putting on lotion or perfume while wearing the ring.
Chlorine is a major villain to softer metals like silver, for example, sterling silver. Resin will gradually discolor over time by chlorine contact. This is a simple and very effective way to prevent your memorial jewelry from wearing out by simply removing it before these activities.
Put It On At The End, Take It Off At The Beginning
This one is a really small change but it works wonders. Do first your regular dressing routine including the makeup, lotion and perfume. Put your jewelry on only after that. At night, the sequence is reversed: first you take off everything else and only after your jewelry.
Besides everything else that causes dirt, one of the main results of these practices that this small habit gets rid of is chemical residue and various products buildup that end up on the jewelry piece itself. So it is one of the most important ways to maintain the condition of jewelry.
Store It Properly Between Wears
- Put your dog ashes jewelry in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box that will prevent it from coming into contact with other hard pieces of jewelry that could scratch it.
- Microwaves bathrooms aren’t only a bad idea for your silver pieces they can cause some of the other parts to come up over the sealed part with time.
- Don’t store items with UV-sensitive resin or ash-infused stone that has been kept out of direct sunlight in your dog ashes jewelry not being worn.
How To Clean Dog Ashes Jewelry Without Damaging It
Materials For Cleaning
You can almost always just rub it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth and warm water without causing any damage. In many ways, that’s really the only thing you need for sealed commemorative pieces.
If you feel you need an even thorough clean:
- You can gently mix a few drops of mild, neutral pH dish soap with lukewarm water.
- Tuck a soft cloth or cotton pad, not a piece itself, into the mixture.
- Sweat and grease that have made a surface dirty should generally be cleaned with a dry cloth to make the most of the wiping. The piece should, however, not be washed in the solution or wiped if it is a fragile material which can easily scratch or break in water. Also, take a lot of care where the item is not solid and the parts are made separately e.g., seams, openings and seals. Do not use a brush.
- Damp items must, at all cost, be dried straight away, using only a towel that is soft and without any dirt (new one). This is because otherwise, the water may seep down between pieces of the jewellery and cause them to rust
What to Avoid
- Ultrasonic cleaners. They’re common in jewelry stores but can loosen seals on ash-filled compartments and are widely discouraged for cremation jewelry specifically.
- Chemical dips and polishing solutions. These can seep into seams and discolor or dissolve resin inclusions.
- Abrasive cloths or toothbrushes. Anything with texture can micro-scratch softer surfaces like resin or glass.
- Hot water. Sudden heat can compromise glue seals used in some designs.
A good rule of thumb from jewelers: if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it directly on a piece holding cremated remains.
How Often Should You Clean It?
There is no single rule that fits all cases. However, as a general guideline it is acceptable to give a quick cleaning wipe of the items that are worn daily once every one or two weeks. It doesn’t need to be done more often as these items would just gather some light dust and fingerprints. Nevertheless, if you are getting tired of seeing these dull spots, very pale ones, or a whole layer of fingerprints on top of it you can consider making your cleaning efforts slightly more frequent before the time to do it becomes too inconvenient.
Hand rings generally get more frequent and dirtier contact with the external environment than the neck pieces since hands touch many different objects during the day.
Keeping the Keepsake for the Long Run
A dog ashes pendant is neither meant nor considered as something precious so it doesn’t need to be treated with an air of reverence that can be quite difficult to handle. The idea is that you actually use it. It’s meant to be worn, handled, and you on everyday adventures. With the help of some simple maintenance practices, mild cleaning, proper storage, and being aware of what your particular product can and cannot tolerate, it is very likely that in ten years the piece will remain as emotionally significant and physically undamaged as on the very day it was presented to you.
The materials used will not decay. After all, this is the basic requirement to make the items last long. The rest is simply knowing that the thing is there and making sure you are in the right headspace whenever you deal with it.
FAQ
Is it possible to wear dog ashes jewelry in the shower?
Actually, it is better not to do that. Soap particles, hot water, and moisture in general, can slowly weaken the seals of the jewelry, not necessarily the most badly crafted pieces either.
How come the ashes are not getting lost or the color fading?
It takes a very minute amount of ashes. Once sealed off, it is protected forever within the jewelry under normal wearing conditions.
What if the seal on my jewelry piece appears to be getting loose?
If the seal on a piece of memorial jewelry seems to be getting loose, you can stop wearing the item and contact the jeweler for help. Quality memorial jewelry manufacturers know that although it is a rare occurrence, this problem is well-known and will usually have sealing or repair services available. Petals is an example of the types of brands that typically offer such kinds of services besides Keepsakes.
Will it be safe for me to take dog ashes jewelry with me to a trip including the time when I go through the airplane security?
Yes, it is very safe to do so. The dog ashes jewelry does not need to be specially handled when you go through security, though some people choose to put their dog ashes jewelry into a pouch inside their baggage for a carry-on because they think it is safer this way.
Is it possible to resizing my memorial ring?
It could happen, but usually not as resizing rings require heating and reshaping the ring that might compromise the jewelry seal. It is a good idea to speak with the original jeweler before going to a regular jeweler for resizing the ring.
