FAQ’s
Why choose Keepsake Jewellery By Elle?
My main priority is to create as personal experience for you as you need. I understand the feeling of losing a family member or pet, and so I already join you with empathy. My aim is to guide you as much as you need throughout the process. I want you to feel thoroughly at ease when sending your loved ones to me... I know what a big thing this is for you! The most important part of this is building that trust, which is why I actively encourage communicating throughout. I strive to make your pieces using materials of exceptional quality. I have already made some very sensitive pieces, come and look at my reviews and gallery to see what people have said, that have already come to me for their jewellery!
You can also find and follow me on Facebook.
Is it only ashes or hair that you can make jewellery with?
No I can encapsulate more than just ashes, hair, fur or whiskers. I can also encapsulate memories like sand from your honeymoon, or a small rock from a place that means so much to you can be crushed and put into jewellery. I could even do small fragments of paper, like from a pregnancy test. I can encapsulate other memories... Please contact me if you have an idea!!!
How much ashes or hair do I need to send?
I will only need about one to two heaped teaspoons of ashes for up to 5 pieces of jewellery, and even then, I don't use everything you send me. By giving me 2 heaped spoonful's, I have a good selection of different fragment sizes to carefully choose from and separate from the rest. The remainder will always be sent back to you in its original packing with your order. Never send everything you have – even if you only have a tiny amount, dont worry, I can still create something beautiful and meaningful for you.
With hair or fur, I only need a few strands. Send a small amount in a little bag and I will use what I need and return the rest in your order.
How do you keep the ashes/hair safe when it is with you?
I take so many precautions when I am handling your loved one's ashes. When I first carefully open the bag, I use a small clean spoon to take a small portion of ashes out of the bag. I then carefully empty the spoon onto a clean, new piece of paper with a fold in it. I use fine craft tweezers to select the ashes I want to use. I then carefully place my chosen ashes into your jewellery setting. The bits left over, that are still in the paper, can then be tipped back into the original bag with precision by using the fold of the paper and re-sealed. I use a similar process for the hair/fur.
How do I know it's my loved one in my jewellery?
I work very carefully. I work on one order at a time – from beginning to end, using my own system to label and keep orders apart. I have refined my system to make sure there is no chance of that kind of mistake could ever be made. I am the sole artist of your jewellery; I over see each order at every stage.
How do you show respect and care while working?
I show respect and care in the way that I work. As mentioned, I will focus on one order at a time. I occasionally may talk to your loved ones while I work and play them some relaxing music. And I always work with the knowledge of how big a deal it is for someone to send me their loved one's ashes or hair. I have the experience of loss, so truly understand what you are going through, and how different it can affect each individual.
What materials do you use?
I use the most popular brand of resin for this type of jewellery. It is a professional jewellery grade resin.
I use Bello Opal – a synthetic opal which is lab grown over 2 years or more. That is how I can offer all the different colour. At some poinnt i may introduce a natural Opal as an option too
I use two companies that are UK based and well trusted for the silver settings. They produce wonderful quality solid silver settings, and I would not buy in from anywhere else unless I could guarantee there quality, as I can with the 2 companies I currently use.
Is it real silver?
Yes, all of the settings in my catalogue are solid silver. Some may not have the hallmark on, this is because silver is only hallmarked from a certain weight and some items fall below this weight but are all made in solid silver.
Can I have items done in Gold?
I can obtain a small selection of items in gold from both my suppliers, but you would need to approach me by message for further discussion. I don't advertise it, as I anticipate most of my orders to be silver and Gold is a much, much more expensive option. but if you are interested, message me, and I can provide you with the gold options.