What Can Be Preserved in Keepsake Jewellery?
9 min read
Keepsake jewellery can hold far more than many people realise. While cremation ashes and breastmilk are among the best-known inclusions, a beautifully personal keepsake can also preserve hair, fur, feathers, whiskers, fabric, umbilical cord, dried placenta, sand, soil or even a small piece of a beloved pet’s collar.
Each inclusion carries its own story. It may represent someone deeply missed, a cherished companion, the early days of motherhood or a place filled with meaning. By thoughtfully incorporating a small amount into an individually handcrafted keepsake stone, something precious that might otherwise remain stored away can become a tangible reminder you can hold close.
Key Takeaways
- Keepsake jewellery can preserve many sentimental materials, not only cremation ashes.
- Only a small amount of most inclusions is required.
- Ashes, hair, fur, feathers, whiskers, breastmilk, umbilical cord, dried placenta, pregnancy test caps, fabric, pet collars, sand and soil can all be incorporated.
- Different inclusions create different colours, textures and levels of visibility.
- Multiple inclusions can often be combined within one keepsake.
- Every keepsake stone is individually handcrafted, so no two will ever look exactly alike.
In short: if something is small, meaningful and suitable for preservation, there may be a thoughtful way to incorporate it into keepsake jewellery.
What Is an Inclusion in Keepsake Jewellery?
An inclusion is the meaningful material preserved within the keepsake stone. Rather than simply representing a memory through a symbol, keepsake jewellery can physically hold a tiny part of the person, pet, experience or place being honoured.
At Memories of You, your chosen inclusion can be incorporated into any design across our catalogue. The way it appears may vary depending on the material, the size and shape of the keepsake stone, your chosen colour and whether you would like the inclusion to be clearly visible or more discreetly preserved.
Every keepsake stone is individually handcrafted in our Sunbury, Victoria studio and carefully associated with your order throughout the creation process.
Cremation Ashes
Cremation ashes can be preserved in remembrance of a loved one or cherished pet. Because only a small amount is needed, the remainder can stay safely with your family.
Ashes naturally vary in colour and texture. They may include soft powder as well as pale, grey or darker fragments, giving every finished keepsake its own character. Some people choose to make the ashes a visible feature, while others prefer them to be gently encased within a coloured or softly shimmering stone.
For a closer look at this process and the choices available, read our guide to cremation ash keepsake jewellery.
Hair
A small lock or a few strands of hair can become a deeply personal inclusion. Hair may be preserved in memory of someone who has died, taken from a child’s first haircut, or kept to honour another meaningful chapter of life.
Depending on its length, colour and texture, the hair can be arranged so it remains visible within the stone or cut into smaller sections for a subtler appearance. Even a very small amount can carry extraordinary meaning.
Fur
Pet fur can preserve a tangible connection to a beloved companion. Fur from dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and other cherished pets can often be incorporated, whether it is long and soft, short and fine, or made up of only a few precious strands.
The natural colouring and texture of the fur will influence how it appears in the finished keepsake. It may be displayed against a contrasting background, blended gently into the design or combined with another inclusion such as ashes.
Whiskers
Whiskers are especially treasured because families may have only one or two saved. A whisker can be incorporated whole where the design and size allow, or a carefully selected section can be used within a smaller keepsake stone.
You do not need to cut or prepare a precious whisker before sending it. Keeping it protected and following the instructions provided with your order helps ensure as much as possible remains available for the final design.
Feathers
Feathers can be preserved to honour a beloved bird or another companion whose feathers hold special meaning. A small section may reveal delicate barbs, natural patterning or a distinctive colour within the keepsake.
Because feathers vary greatly in size and structure, only the portion best suited to the chosen design may be used. The feather should be clean and completely dry before it is sent.
Breastmilk
Breastmilk jewellery preserves a small sample from a feeding journey—whether that journey lasted for days, months or years. The breastmilk is professionally preserved before being transformed into a keepsake stone, usually creating a soft cream or ivory base that can be personalised with colour, shimmer or opal accents.
Every sample is naturally different, so subtle variations in tone are part of what makes each stone unique. Breastmilk can also be combined with hair, umbilical cord or another meaningful inclusion to tell more than one part of your story.
Learn more about how breastmilk jewellery is made or explore our breastmilk jewellery collection.
Umbilical Cord
A small piece of dried umbilical cord can be preserved as a reminder of the earliest physical connection between a parent and child. Only a tiny fragment is needed, so there is no need to part with the entire keepsake if you have carefully stored it.
Umbilical cord must be completely dry before being sent. Its natural texture and colouring can be made visible within the design or preserved more discreetly within a coloured stone.
Dried Placenta
For some families, dried placenta represents pregnancy, birth and the beginning of a new chapter. A very small piece of fully dried placenta can be thoughtfully incorporated into a keepsake stone, either on its own or alongside breastmilk, hair or umbilical cord.
As with other organic inclusions, it must be completely dry before it is sent. If you are unsure whether the form you have is suitable, you are always welcome to contact us before ordering.
Clothing and Fabric
Fabric can preserve the memory held within a meaningful garment. This might be a threads from a baby’s first outfit, a small piece of a wedding dress, fabric from the clothing of a loved one, or material connected to another important moment.
Usually, only a small 1 inch square, a few threads or a very small fragment are required. The fabric’s colour, weave and thickness will affect how it appears, and the most suitable portion can be chosen to complement the size of the keepsake stone.
Pieces of a Pet’s Collar
A pet’s collar can hold years of memories: daily walks, familiar routines and a life shared side by side. A tiny piece from a fabric, ribbon or leather section of the collar may be preserved within pet memorial jewellery.
Only a small fragment is needed, so the collar itself can usually remain largely intact. Very thick or rigid materials may need to be carefully reduced to suit the stone, which is why it is best not to cut the collar before discussing the design.
To learn more about preserving the memory of a companion, visit our pet memorial jewellery guide or browse the pet memorial jewellery collection.
Sand or Soil
Sand or soil can connect a keepsake to a place that carries special meaning. It may come from a favourite beach, a family property, a garden, a memorable journey or a resting place visited with care and permission.
The grain size and natural colour will influence the finished appearance. Fine sand may create a soft texture, while larger grains or small pieces of earth can remain more distinct within the stone. Only a small, clean and dry sample is generally needed.
Can More Than One Inclusion Be Combined?
In many cases, yes. Combining inclusions can allow one keepsake to hold several parts of the same story. Examples might include:
- Ashes with hair
- Ashes with fur or a whisker
- Breastmilk with a child’s hair
- Breastmilk with umbilical cord
- Fur with a piece of pet collar
- Sand or soil with ashes
The available space depends on the size and shape of the keepsake stone, so a thoughtful arrangement is important—particularly when several inclusions are intended to remain visible.
Helpful Tip: Do not cut, crush or alter an irreplaceable inclusion before receiving guidance. Choose your jewellery first, then follow the sending instructions provided with your order. This allows the most suitable section to be selected during the creation process.
Will the Inclusion Be Visible?
That choice is part of personalising your keepsake. Some people want the natural material to be clearly recognisable, while others prefer a quiet, discreet design known only to them.
Visibility can be influenced by:
- The colour and size of the inclusion
- The background colour of the keepsake stone
- The size and shape of the jewellery design
- The addition of shimmer, opal or other decorative elements
- Whether one inclusion or several are being combined
Because these are natural materials arranged by hand, the finished placement will always be unique. Photographs can guide the overall style, but your keepsake will never be an exact copy of another person’s piece.
Preparing and Sending Your Inclusion
Once you place your order, you will receive clear instructions explaining how much to send and how to package it. Most inclusions require only a very small amount.
Dry inclusions should be kept clean, dry and protected. Breastmilk should be prepared according to the specific instructions supplied. When your inclusion arrives, it is carefully labelled and securely associated with your order throughout the preservation and creation process.
If your inclusion is unusual, fragile or the only piece you have, contact us before sending it. A photograph is often enough to help determine the best approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every Memories of You design hold any type of inclusion?
Yes. Every design in our catalogue can be personalised with your chosen accepted inclusion. The size and shape of the stone may influence how much can be displayed and how the material is arranged, but you are not limited to the pieces shown within a particular collection.
How much of my inclusion will I need to send?
Only a small amount is usually required. The exact quantity depends on the material and the number of keepsakes being created. Clear instructions are provided after ordering, so you will know what to send.
Can old hair, fur, ashes or fabric still be used?
In many cases, yes. Sentimental materials do not need to be recent. As long as the inclusion has been stored safely and is in a suitable condition, something kept for many years may still be incorporated.
Can I combine inclusions from different people or pets?
Yes. Multiple inclusions can often be combined within one keepsake, or placed into separate stones within a multi-stone design. This can be a meaningful way to represent a family, more than one companion or several connected memories.
What if my inclusion is not listed here?
Other small, dry and non-perishable sentimental materials may also be suitable, including dried flowers. Contact us with a description or photograph so we can advise whether it can be safely and beautifully incorporated.
Will my keepsake look exactly like the product photograph?
No two keepsakes are identical. Natural inclusions vary in colour, shape and texture, and every stone is arranged and handcrafted individually. Your finished jewellery will remain true to your selected design while reflecting the unique material and choices behind it.
A Small Inclusion Can Hold an Entire Story
The meaning of keepsake jewellery does not come from the amount preserved. A few strands of hair, a tiny piece of fabric or a single grain of sand can carry memories far greater than its size.
Whether you are honouring someone you love, remembering a cherished companion, celebrating motherhood or preserving a place that helped shape your story, your inclusion can become part of a keepsake created with care, respect and intention.
Explore Our Keepsake Jewellery Collection
Every design at Memories of You can be personalised with the inclusion that matters to you. Explore our complete keepsake jewellery collection, or contact us if you would like guidance before choosing your piece.
