Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve (or Neckline): The Rise of Pet Memorial Keepsakes

Once upon a time, “memorial jewellery” might have sounded a little Victorian—something reserved for faded portraits and lockets of human hair. But these days, it’s having a very modern, very heart-warming moment. And at the centre of this trend? Our pets.

From dogs who thought every visitor was obviously here to see them, to cats who allowed us to share their homes (on their terms), our animal companions are family. So it’s no surprise that more people are turning to jewellery as a way to keep those whiskers, wagging tails, and soulful eyes close—even after they’ve crossed the rainbow bridge.

Tiny Tributes with Big Meaning

Pet memorial keepsakes come in many shapes and sizes: delicate lockets holding a treasured photo, pendants engraved with a paw print, or bespoke pet portrait jewellery that captures a much-missed face in gold or silver. They’re wearable, tangible reminders that love doesn’t stop when the lead is hung up for the last time.

At Jana Reinhardt, our lockets have become a favourite for this. Slip a snapshot of your four-legged friend inside, and you’ve got a piece that’s part jewellery, part tiny time machine—ready to whisk you back to that moment in the park, or the sunny windowsill nap.

Why the Trend’s Growing

We think it’s a mix of things:

• Personal connection – People want more than just photos on a phone. A keepsake you can touch and wear feels more intimate.

• Bespoke appeal – Mass-produced just won’t do when you’re honouring a one-of-a-kind personality. That’s where custom pet portrait jewellery shines. From a sketch of your rabbit’s ears to the exact tilt of your dog’s head, our hand-carved commissions make sure the details are just right.

• Storytelling – Jewellery that sparks conversation is always special, and nothing gets people swapping happy pet tales faster than, “Oh, is that your dog?”

The Jana Reinhardt Way

In our Sussex studio, everything is handmade to order—no conveyor belts, no factory finishes. We use recycled precious metals, because looking after the planet is just as important as celebrating the creatures who live on it. And for those who want to take their keepsake even further, our bespoke pet jewellery portraits can be tailored to include special details—engraving, gemstones, or even a hidden message only you know about.

A Gentle Kind of Forever

Memorial keepsakes aren’t about sadness—they’re about carrying joy forward. They let us keep sharing little moments with our pets, even if we can’t give them a belly rub anymore. Whether it’s a gold pendant shaped like your cat, a locket holding your favourite dog photo, or a custom-carved rabbit necklace, it’s a way of saying: You’re still with me.

Because if our pets have taught us anything, it’s that love—once given—never really leaves. It just changes shape. Sometimes, into something you can wear every day.