Adding Cremation ashes to Resin

Why can the colour look different when ashes are added?

When choosing a memorial jewellery piece, you may notice that the finished colour can look different from the original sample - especially when ashes are included. This is completely normal and an important part of creating a deeply personal piece.

Here is a simple explanation of why this happens.

Ashes naturally affect the colour

Although ashes often look pale grey or white on their own, once they are placed into resin they:

• Soften bright colours.

• Add a slightly grey or muted tone.

• Reduce the transparency of the resin.

This means a bright colour (like blue, pink, or purple) may appear:

• Deeper

• Slightly darker

• Or more subtle than the original sample

Why samples may look brighter

Display samples are usually made without ashes, so they show:

• The true pigment colour

• Maximum clarity and brightness

Once ashes are added, the resin changes slightly — making each piece unique to you.

Every piece is one of a kind

Ashes are not uniform in texture or tone, so when they are included:

• No two pieces will ever look exactly the same.

• There may be tiny flecks, soft clouds, or gentle variations.

• The colour may shift slightly depending on how the ashes settle.

This is part of what makes memorial jewellery so special and personal.

What to Expect

When ashes are included, you can expect:

• A softer, more natural version of your chosen colour

• A slightly less transparent finish

• A beautiful, individual pattern created by the ashes.

A Gentle Reminder

The change in colour is not a flaw — it reflects what makes your piece meaningful. The ashes become part of the design, creating something that is sincerely yours and cannot ever be replicated, making your piece totally unique.

If you ever have a specific colour in mind, I always happy to guide you on the best options to achieve the look you love while still honouring your loved one beautifully, however I can not guarantee the final colour when ashes are added.

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 Why Do Ashes Change the Colour of Resin?

When ashes are added to resin, they naturally interact with the colour in ways that can slightly change the final appearance. This is completely normal and happens because of how light, pigment, and the ashes themselves work together and is beyond our control when ashes as inclusions are added and will only know the outcome once they have been added.

1. Ashes affect how light travels through resin

Resin gets its brightness and colour from light passing through it. When ashes are added:

• Light is scattered and softened.

• Less light passes straight through.

• The colour appears deeper or more muted.

This is why a bright colour may look darker or less vibrant once ashes are included.

2. Ashes add a natural grey undertone

Even though ashes can look pale, they can introduce a subtle:

• Grey

• Off-white

• Sometimes slightly beige tone

When mixed with coloured resin, this can:

• Tone down brightness

• Slightly shift the colour (for example, blue can appear more teal or green)

3. Tiny Particles Change the Finish

Ashes are made up of exceptionally fine particles that do not fully dissolve. Instead, they:

• Sit within the resin.

• Create tiny specks or a soft cloudy effect.

• Reduce the crystal-clear look of plain resin.

This can make the colour look:

• Less sharp

• More natural and blended

4. The Amount Used Has An influence

The more ashes that are included:

• The more the colour will soften or darken.

• The less transparent the resin becomes.

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As standard, sample colours are created without ashes so you can see the true tone and clarity of each shade.

However, if you would prefer to see how a colour will look with ashes included before making your final decision, I am more than happy to prepare this for you.

Any samples made with ashes will, of course, be carefully returned to you.

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