Diamond for life

Saskia Shutt — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:53:15 +0000

Diamond for Life: A Story of Grief, Memory, and Jewellery that Lasts Forever

Introduction

Some of you may have already read my previous blog post, Little Pleasure, the beginning of my series Stories Behind the Jewel. If so, I hope it gave you a small glimpse into the intimate and emotional world that often lies behind a bespoke piece of jewellery.

Today, I’d like to invite you into another deeply personal story—one that remains etched in my memory as a defining moment in my journey as a designer-goldsmith.

This is a story about love, loss, remembrance, and the enduring power of jewellery to connect us with what matters most.

The Unexpected Commission That Changed Me

It was an ordinary day in 2006, or at least it began that way. I was in my workshop, surrounded by the familiar tools and rhythms of my craftsmanship. A woman stepped in—elegant, composed, slightly younger than my mother.

From the moment she entered, I sensed a quiet intensity in her presence. She wasn’t here to browse, but had a very specific and heartfelt request.

Then she asked me if I could create a pendant for her—a simple yet meaningful piece she could wear close to her heart. Speaking softly, almost reverently, as she began to share her story.

It quickly became clear that this commission wasn’t about fashion or adornment. It was about memory. And grief.

A Mother’s Love in a Diamond

Six months earlier, she had experienced the unimaginable. Her daughter—just 21 years old—had died in a car accident. An only child. A young woman full of promise, beauty, and life.

It was a tragic event that turned her world upside down.

After the cremation, she had sent a portion of her daughter’s ashes to America to be compressed into a diamond*.

It’s a gem that is not only visually stunning but also deeply symbolic.

She had chosen to do this so that her daughter could remain physically close to her. The diamond was not meant to be on display for the world to admire. It was personal. Private. A sacred token of their bond.

Designing for the Soul

As she spoke, I listened closely—not only to her words but to the silences between them.

This was not a standard design brief. It wasn’t about trends or budgets. It was about emotion. And soul. About creating something that would carry the weight of her love, her memories, and her sorrow—all in a piece of jewellery no larger than a the 1ct diamond.

We began to sketch ideas together. The woman wanted simplicity—nothing flashy. Just a clean, elegant setting that would protect and honour the diamond, without distracting from its meaning.

A pendant to sit close to her chest, right above her heart. That, to her, was everything.

It became one of the most emotionally intense collaborations I’ve ever had. Every curve of the gold, every detail of the clasp, every proportion—we considered it all with care and intention.

She trusted me, and I took that trust to heart.

The Beauty in the Process

At the time, commissioning a memorial diamond was still something of a novelty. The idea that you could transform ashes into a precious gemstone felt both poetic and, to some, slightly macabre. Which realistically is only symbolic.

I admit, I too had mixed feelings at first. But I began to see the profound symbolism in this process. We already use jewellery to mark life’s most significant milestones—births, engagements, weddings. Why not use it to commemorate death?

This wasn’t just a piece of jewellery. It was a form of healing. A symbol of eternal connection. A diamond born not out of the earth, but out of love.

*I am not promoting memorial diamonds made from ashes. They are not exactly what they say they are. Although, we can extract carbon from cremated human remains (and from hair too), it’s not actually the full story. Cremation actually burns off most of the body’s carbon content. What’s left in ashes is mainly calcium, phosphate, and some trace elements—not a lot of usable carbon at all. So, please consider this, when choosing to create a diamond from the ashes of loved ones or your pets. Often it’s a very minimal amount. It’s only a symbolic amount.

The Rise of Memorial Jewellery

Since that commission, I’ve noticed a slow but steady shift in how people think about memorial jewellery.

More and more clients are coming to me with similar requests—rarely for diamonds made from ashes, but mostly for pieces that carry the memory of someone dear.

Memorial jewellery has become an important part of what I do.

Each piece has its own story, and no two are ever the same. For some, it’s a locket with a tiny photograph inside. And for others, a ring that carries the birthstone of a lost child or the ashes added into a piece of jewellery. Sometimes it’s subtle engravings. Or it’s a complete redesign of an heirloom.

What all these commissions have in common is their emotional weight. They require sensitivity. Empathy. And a deep understanding that what I’m making is more than gold and stone.

It’s love made visible.

Reflections on Grief and Craftsmanship

That commission changed me. It deepened my understanding of what jewellery can be. It also reminded me that grief, as painful as it is, can inspire acts of extraordinary beauty.

As a designer-goldsmith, I’ve always seen my work as a bridge—between the material and the emotional, the past and the present.

When someone invites me into their grief, their memory, their celebration, I consider it a privilege.

Each time I sit at my bench, I carry with me the stories I’ve been told. They shape the way I approach my work. They remind me why I chose this path in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Diamond for Life is not just a story about a beautiful commission. It’s a reminder that jewellery, at its best, is deeply human. It’s about memory, meaning, and the emotions that bind us to one another.

I’m grateful to that woman who stepped into my workshop all those years ago. She reminded me of the power of storytelling, and how even in grief, beauty can emerge.

Thank you for reading. I hope this story has touched you in some way. Would you like me to create your memorial jewellery? Feel free to book your appointment so we can discuss the design to hold your love one close.

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