Filling and Sealing

All of our pendants come with a micro funnel and metal tool for assisting in filling. It can be a very emotional time filling your jewellery with ashes from your pet. Above all if you feel you can't cope with it, you can ask a friend or relative to help you. Any questions, however, please email me and I can walk you through the process or ring you for a chat over the phone.

Filling

As the jewellery only holds a small amount of ashes it's easiest to fill it with the finest grains possible. If you haven't seen cremation ash before, it is generally a dark grey to dark brown colour. Depending on the crematorium it will be finely ground with larger pieces mixed in.

Photo of filling hollow pendant showing a funnel inside the opening.

You can extract a small teaspoon of ashes from the bag or container and place it on a nice wide sheet of paper. By gently tapping the ashes repeatedly the vibrations can separate the larger pieces from the smaller powdery ash. Use the small powdery ash to fill your jewellery.

Open your pendant via a top screw mounted bail which should twist off by hand. If it's screwed on a little firmly use the included metal tool. Slot it through the bail and use the longer length to lever open the twist top. 

Your pendant may be of a style where filling is via a screwdriver port. If so, you will have received a micro screwdriver in your filling kit along with your funnel. It is a small 2mm flat edge screwdriver which will open and close the screw hole quite easily. Be careful to seat the screwdriver properly in the slot as slipping may accidentally scratch the pendant or cause yourself injury.

Pendant Bail 

The bails and filling screw ports are quite tiny so make sure once they are undone to not drop them on the floor or lose them. We can sometimes supply replacements for a small fee. It might be a lengthy delay if we don't have any spares in stock. The best is to keep a close eye on small parts and keep away from children who may put them in their mouths.

The plastic micro funnel supplied in your filling kit can have the tip trimmed with scissors if needed. Another option is to take a smaller piece of paper and fold it to make a crease in the middle. Scoop ashes into the crease and tap gently to move down and into the open hole in the jewellery.

The thin metal stick tool supplied is also good for pushing any ashes into the pendant, and cleaning any remaining ashes from the jewellery thread before re-sealing.

Sealing

To reseal your ashes pendant, twist the screw port or top bail back on tightly. Most designs have a small rubber o-ring on the thread to help keep it closed.

If after filling you want your pendant permanently sealed, there are different options. Depending on the metal type, a professional jeweller can solder the screw closed. Contact one in your local area and ask them if they offer this service. The other option is to use a two-part epoxy sealant for metal from most hardware stores. It's important to use a two-part solution giving you a few minutes before it sets hard. Align the screw flush with your pendant. Wipe off any excess epoxy around the edges. Don't use a fast setting super glue as it won't give you enough time before it hardens.

Tips

After that, avoid getting your pendant wet. For instance, showering or swimming. Necklaces can break and pendants lost at the beach or pool. Also some chemicals in perfumes or deodorants can react with some types of silvers and metals. Also some natural oils in skin can also have effects.

I highly recommend keeping a small amount of your pets ashes aside after filling. As rare as it may be, we have had clients lose their pendants after scattering the rest of their ashes. leaving them empty handed. This can be devastating. You may not feel comfortable with  his idea. However, if you ever needed them as a back up then they will be there for ou.

Like all high quality metals, especially .925 sterling silver pendant, they require cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking their best. A good precious metal cleaning solution gently wiped on your pendant and polished off with a jewellery cleaning cloth can make a huge difference to your jewellery's appearance.

In conclusion please remember I'm here to help with any questions or filling advice so don't hesitate to contact me anytime.