Memorial jewelry with a fingerprint: a keepsake that lasts a lifetime

Every fingerprint is unique. That’s why keepsake jewelry featuring a fingerprint is so personal: it lets you carry the delicate lines of someone you love close to your heart. Here, you’ll learn where the fingerprint can come from, whether a necklace or ring is a better fit, and how to care for your piece of jewelry. Part of this guide is intended for people who are grieving. You’ll find it below. Read it at your own pace.

What is keepsake jewelry featuring a fingerprint?

With fingerprint memorial jewelry, a real fingerprint is engraved onto a piece of jewelry, usually a round pendant or a ring.

If the print comes from someone who has passed away, it’s often referred to as memorial jewelry. The piece of jewelry is the same; only the occasion is different.

A fingerprint pendant or ring is right for you if you …

• you want to capture your child’s early years,
• want to give a loved one—such as a grandparent—a token of your bond,
• or want to preserve the footprint of someone you’ve lost.

Where the impression might come from

For the jewelry, you’ll need a clear impression. There are three ways to do this.

Take it yourself with the kit

If you order a necklace or ring with a fingerprint from LIINI, you’ll receive the fingerprint kit for free by mail. It includes step-by-step instructions, non-toxic fingerprint strips, a fingerprint card with a QR code for uploading, and full-size ring templates. The process is painless for your child. The guide “Taking a Fingerprint Step by Step” shows you how to do it right.

A fingerprint that already exists

Perhaps the impression already exists—for example, on a card that the family has kept, or as a keepsake from the funeral home. LIINI is designed to create the impression using the kit. If you’d like to use an existing impression, please ask LIINI Support before placing your order to see if that’s possible.

Ask the funeral home or the hospital

If you’d like to keep a fingerprint of a deceased person, talk to the funeral home about it. Ask if they can take a fingerprint or if you’re allowed to be present. If the person died in a hospital or nursing home, you can also ask the nursing staff. If your baby has died, you can also ask the midwife.

For Parents: Capturing Your Baby’s Early Years

A baby’s fingerprints are already fully formed at birth. The age at which the lines are clear enough for engraving varies from child to child. LIINI recommends taking the print for jewelry starting at 6 months of age.

There’s no need to rush: An order with LIINI remains valid indefinitely. If the print isn’t clear yet, just wait and send the photo later. The easiest way to get a clear print is when your baby is asleep.

The necklace is available for one child or two children, with the engraving options “Single,” “Duo,” or “Heart.”

Necklace or ring: which is right for whom?

LIINI offers necklaces with fingerprints and rings with fingerprints. “Gold-plated” here means 18-karat gold plating on 925 sterling silver—so it’s costume jewelry, not real gold.

Here’s how your piece of jewelry is made:

1. Choose a piece of jewelry: Order a necklace or ring in the style of your choice.
2. Receive the kit LIINI will send you the fingerprint kit free of charge by mail.
3. Take the Imprint: Use the kit to take the fingerprint whenever it’s convenient for you.
4. Upload a photo: Take a photo of the card lying flat from above and upload the image using the QR code. For a ring, specify the ring size. Once uploaded, the order cannot be changed. Therefore, please take your time to review all details carefully beforehand.
5. Engraving: LIINI digitally processes the fingerprint and laser-engraves it onto your piece of jewelry.
6. Shipping: Your one-of-a-kind piece will arrive in a jewelry box, insured, and with tracking.

Memorabilia Jewelry as a Gift

A piece of jewelry featuring a fingerprint is a gift that lasts a lifetime: from a partner to a mother after the birth of a child, from parents to grandparents with their grandchild’s fingerprint, or as a birthday gift. If you’re ordering for someone else, please provide the desired shipping address when placing your order. The fingerprint kit will then be sent directly to the recipient.

Parents usually take their baby’s fingerprint. So be sure to discuss the gift with them beforehand so that Kit and the child can be together. You’ll find more ideas in the “Gifts for a Newborn” guide, and all designs under “Fingerprint Jewelry.”

From LIINI

LIINI® Fingerprint necklace bobble silver169.95CHF–189.95CHFPrice range: 169.95CHF through 189.95CHFincl. VATView product →LIINI® Fingerprint necklace Anchor silver169.95CHF–189.95CHFPrice range: 169.95CHF through 189.95CHFincl. VATView product →LIINI® Signet ring with fingerprint silver129.95CHFincl. VATView product →

Care: How to Keep Your Jewelry Looking Its Best

Over time, body sweat can cause jewelry to oxidize and discolor. Here’s what LIINI recommends:

• Take it off before you start sweating heavily— for example, during exercise— and store the jewelry in the box provided.
• Take it off when showering or washing your hair. Shampoo and shower gel can damage the jewelry. If any does get on it, rinse it under clean water and dry it with a hair dryer.
• Let creams and lotions absorb completely before putting on your jewelry. The alcohol in perfume can damage jewelry.
• Avoid saltwater and direct sunlight.
• Clean gently: use lukewarm water and regular soap; avoid harsh cleaning agents containing alcohol. Dry it with a very soft microfiber cloth, applying light pressure.
• Take care with gold-plated pieces: no silver polish, no ultrasonic bath.

Memorial Jewelry with a Fingerprint: Keeping a Loved One Close to You

When someone passes away, many things remain to remind us of them. A fingerprint is something truly unique, because it belonged only to that one person. With fingerprint memorial jewelry, you can carry it with you—discreetly under a sweater or visibly on your finger.

It could be a grandmother or grandfather, a partner, a mother, or a father. Some people take the impression while the person is still alive, in a calm setting and together with the person giving it. Others decide to do so later. Both approaches are fine.

Here are a few thoughts that might help you make a decision:

• Take your time. The piece of jewelry doesn’t have to be made in the first few days. If you have an impression, it can wait until you’re ready.
• Talk to your family. A handprint is something very personal. Decide together whether and how you’d like to keep it.
• Keep the original. LIINI only needs a photo of it for the engraving. The card with the imprint stays with you.
• If there’s no impression: That’s okay, too. Photos, letters, or a favorite keepsake hold just as many memories.

If Your Child Has Died

If your child died during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly afterward, it is a loss for which there are hardly any words. Midwives and the hospital staff can support parents during this time. You can decide what kind of keepsakes you’d like. With very small babies, the fingerprint is often not clear enough for engraving. Photos or a foot or handprint on paper can then serve as a precious memento. In Switzerland, the specialist organization kindsverlust.ch provides free counseling to affected parents, even if the loss occurred some time ago. In Germany and Austria, your midwife, the hospital, or a local grief support service are good first points of contact. Only you can decide if and when a piece of jewelry is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Counseling for Those Affected, kindsverlust.ch – Resource Center for the Loss of a Child During Pregnancy, Birth, and Early Childhood
2. Death at the Beginning of Life: When a Child’s Birth and Death Occur Simultaneously, Pro Juventute
3. Our Star Child, Municipality of Reinach BL