How to Preserve a Lock of Hair for Keepsakes and Memorial Jewellery in the UK

Yes. Human hair can be preserved long term and safely set into memorial jewellery, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and charms. The key is to keep the lock clean, dry and secure, then choose a preservation method that suits how visible you want the hair to be.

A lock of hair can hold enormous meaning after the death of a loved one, but you do not need to use it straight away. At Memories Made, a small amount of hair can be preserved in coloured resin across many designs; browse the memorial jewellery collection to compare keepsakes.

What is the safest way to preserve a lock of hair?

The biggest worry is often not what to make, it is whether the hair will stay safe. Grief discussions show people keeping locks in envelopes, safes, boxes and frames because they fear losing or damaging something that cannot be replaced.

If the hair has not yet been cut, gather a small clean section and secure it gently near the end before cutting. Once removed, keep the strands together in a clean paper envelope or acid-free tissue inside a protective box.

Keep the hair dry and away from direct sunlight, damp rooms and extreme heat. Museum conservation guidance for natural fibres also stresses stable storage, protection from light and careful handling.

If the hair is already loose, short, grey, white or curly, do not worry. Pet fur and individual strands can also be suitable for memorial jewellery.

Can you put human hair into jewellery?

Yes, and people have done so for centuries. Smithsonian records show that hair work was especially popular from the late 1700s through the Victorian era, when locks of hair became personal symbols of love, remembrance and mourning.

Today, human hair is commonly preserved within resin, inside a sealed chamber or locket, or behind glass or crystal. Some makers also use opal or opal-style settings that combine hair with decorative resin materials.

At Memories Made, hair is arranged within a special coloured resin and set into the jewellery chamber. The result is a hard setting that keeps the hair visible while allowing you to choose a colour that feels personal.

Traditional lockets and behind-glass settings may suit someone who wants the lock to remain visually unchanged. Different UK jewellers use different methods: Ashes With Art in Worthing promotes resin-free sealed chamber pieces, while Lovely Oxford discusses resin, opal and glass preservation.

Which types of hair memorial jewellery work best?

The best piece is the one you will genuinely feel comfortable wearing. Memorial rings keep the hair visible on your hand, while a necklace or pendant can sit closer to the heart and feel more discreet.

Hair can also be preserved in bracelets, earrings and charms. Heart, oval, teardrop, feather and round chamber designs can all work, provided the setting gives the jeweller enough space to arrange the strands securely.

Sterling silver is a classic option, while 9ct yellow gold, rose gold and white gold offer a more premium finish. If you are comparing resin, glass and metal choices, see our guide to the best material for ashes jewellery.

How much hair do you need, and how should you send it?

You usually need far less hair than expected. Around 10–20 strands gives a memorial jeweller useful choice for many designs, although the exact amount depends on the chamber and whether you want one piece or several.

If you have only a few strands, do not trim, tape or glue them together. Even very short or fine hair may be usable, so ask the specialist before altering anything.

For UK Memories Made orders, a collection kit is sent after ordering with secure containers, instructions and tracked return arrangements. International customers receive sending instructions, and any unused hair is returned with the finished keepsake.

Label each lock clearly if you are sending hair or fur from more than one person or pet. If you are combining hair with cremation ashes, our guide explains how much ashes you need to make jewellery.

Can hair be combined with ashes, fur or flowers?

One lock can become part of a much wider memorial. Hair jewellery can use human hair, pet fur, or hair alongside cremation ashes, and some families choose separate chambers or matching pieces for different inclusions.

For example, one chamber may contain hair while another contains ashes. You can browse ashes rings if you are considering a piece that combines or complements both. Memories Made offers designs that can preserve ashes, hair or fabric within memorial jewellery.

Some memorial artists also work with dried funeral flowers, wedding flowers or fabric. Always check suitability first, because organic materials behave differently in resin, glass and sealed settings.

What should you avoid when preserving hair?

The easiest mistake is trying too hard to “protect” the lock before a jeweller sees it. Sticky tape and glue can trap or contaminate strands, and removing adhesive later may mean losing part of the hair.

Avoid sealing damp hair in plastic. If a zip-lock bag is used temporarily for transport, make sure the hair is fully dry and protected from moisture, crushing and direct sunlight.

Glass vials can look attractive, but loose strands may move or tangle. If you want to keep the whole lock intact, acid-free paper, an archival-style frame or a secure box can be a better option until you choose your memorial keepsake.

Resin quality also matters. Some people in grief and jewellery communities worry about discolouration over time, so ask what resin is used, how it is cured and what care instructions come with the finished piece.

How do you choose a memorial jeweller you can trust?

When the material is irreplaceable, traceability matters more than a cheap price. Anyone sending a loved one’s hair, ashes or fur should know how the inclusions are received, labelled, stored, used and returned.

Look for clear information about materials, hallmarks, delivery, unused inclusions, guarantees and turnaround times. You can compare established providers in our guide to the best memorial jewellery brands in the UK.

Memories Made records every order during creation, showing the ashes, hair or fabric before work begins. Sterling silver hair keepsakes are generally completed within 7–10 days after receipt, while solid gold pieces take around 5–6 weeks.

Unused hair is returned and the finished piece arrives in protective luxury packaging. For something this personal, the process should feel secure from the moment the lock leaves your hands until the jewellery comes home.

Is memorial jewellery a good way to preserve a loved one’s hair?

For many people, yes, because it turns a fragile keepsake into something that can be worn and held close. Grief communities describe people choosing jewellery, lockets, frames and shadow boxes depending on whether they want to wear the hair or keep the original lock intact.

You do not need to use all of it. A few strands can become a ring, necklace, pendant or bracelet while the remaining lock stays safely stored.

Hair jewellery is not only for bereavement. It can also preserve a baby’s first haircut, a child’s hair, a partner’s hair, pet fur or another meaningful milestone.

If you are not ready to decide, keep the lock clean, dry, labelled and secure. There is no need to rush something this personal.