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About the Gowan
F. A. Q.
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Body Jewelry Wedding & Committment Jewelry > Reliquary & Memorial Jewelry < Custom Pieces & Special Projects Ethical Sourcing About the Gowan F. A. Q. |
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Jewelry is in many ways a very personal thing. It signifies our commitments, our celebrations and our identities. It also has a place in the process of grief and memorializing a loved one. A symbol of that love and loss, worn close to the skin, can be a great comfort. I have been told that "I feel free to go on with my life, because I have a part of him with me." After being asked to make reliquary pieces several times, and seeing the profound and healing effect they can have on a person, I have decided to offer them to the public. I take this work very seriously; I not only make them, I wear one. Confidentiality, respect, care and thoughtfulness are of utmost importance to me. We will never preach to you, pressure you, or pop-psychology you. For work like this, it is important to be able to arrange to come to the shop, for at least one in-person session. We do not ship these pieces, nor will we ship human remains; a reliquary is a hand-to-hand transaction. 
 Above are two reliquary necklaces, one sealed with a bezzel set Black Diamond, and the other sealed with a flush set Blue Diamond. Both have been worn continuiously for some time. Photos are used with permission. |
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Reliquary jewelry are usually hollow formed metal spheres or disks, which are filled with a small amount of the ashes of a deceased loved one. The hole in the hollow piece is often sealed with a bezel set gemstone. They can be made in a variety of shapes, and have a variety of symbols etched or inlayed on them. Though the symbolism is very important to some people, not everyone wants to wear a vial of human remains. This is a personal choice, or a practical one, in the case of a burial. Memorial jewelry does not contain human ash, and thus can be made in any form desired. We treat Memorial Jewelry in exactly the same spirit as Reliquary Jewelry, and are happy to work with symbolism that is important to you. We are are also very willing to work with families to create a keepsake for each member. Occasionally, individuals have wanted to have wedding rings or similar personal artifacts melted down and made into reliquary or memorial pieces, something which (if at all possible) we are happy to accommodate. Symbolism and personal meaning is paramount in these projects, and each piece is designed as a close collaboration with the jeweler and the bereaved. Especially with reliquary pieces, hands on participation of the customer is often very important. As such, we make a general policy of at least one in-person session for these pieces. For more details email us @ gowanmetal.com.
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