Cat Hair Memorial Jewellery - How It's Made & What You Need to Know

Cat Hair Memorial Jewellery - How It's Made & What You Need to Know

There is something quietly extraordinary about a cat. They are not owned — they choose. They decide if they stay, if they curl up beside you, if they grant you the honour of their company. And when they choose to leave, the silence they leave behind is unlike anything else.

Cat hair memorial jewellery is a way of holding onto that. A small, wearable piece of your cat — their actual fur, set in resin, worn close to your heart. In this guide, I'll walk you through everything: how it's made, the resin options available, how to collect your cat's fur, and how to choose the right piece for you.Sleeping cat on soft blanket

What is Cat Hair Memorial Jewellery?

Cat hair memorial jewellery — sometimes called cat fur keepsake jewellery or pet hair jewellery — preserves a small amount of your cat's fur within high-quality resin. The fur is carefully encapsulated and set into sterling silver or gold rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, or lockets.

The resin can be kept completely clear — letting your cat's fur speak entirely for itself in all its natural beauty — or combined with opal flakes or mica for a gentle shimmer. Either way, because every cat's fur is different in colour, texture, length, and pattern, every piece is completely one-of-a-kind.

Resin Options: What's the Difference?

The type of resin used makes a real difference to the quality, clarity, and longevity of your keepsake. At Lovely Oxford, I use two professional-grade resins:

  • UV Resin (Japanese Professional Jewellery Resin) — A premium Japanese professional jewellery resin cured under ultraviolet light. It is considered among the finest resins available for jewellery making, prized for its exceptional optical clarity, crystal-clear finish, and minimal yellowing over time. It produces a stunning, glass-like result that lets your cat's fur shine through beautifully — especially striking in a clear setting where every strand is visible.
  • Epoxy Resin — A two-part resin (resin + hardener) that cures at room temperature. Epoxy is excellent for larger pieces and settings where depth and durability are important. It produces a warm, rich finish with wonderful depth.

I select the most appropriate resin for each individual piece to ensure the very best result for your keepsake.

Why Choose Cat Hair Memorial Jewellery?

You Never Own a Cat — They Own You

A cat is not a pet in the conventional sense. They are a presence that chooses you. They decide whether to stay, whether to trust, whether to love. That choice — freely given — is what makes the bond so profound. And it's what makes losing them so deeply felt. Cat hair jewellery honours that bond: not as ownership, but as a privilege you were given.

A Tangible Connection

Unlike photographs or paw prints, cat hair jewellery carries a physical part of your cat. It's not a representation of them — it's actually them. That distinction matters deeply to many people.

Designed for Everyday Wear

These aren't pieces you tuck away in a drawer. A delicate memorial ring, a pendant worn close to your heart, a pair of stud earrings — cat hair jewellery is made to be worn every day, so your cat is always with you.

A Comfort During Grief

Many cat owners find that having something tangible helps during the hardest days. Something to hold, to touch, to look down at. Cat hair jewellery gives grief somewhere to rest.

Heirloom Quality

Crafted in sterling silver or 9ct gold with professional-grade resin, these pieces are made to last. They become heirlooms — passed down, treasured, kept.

Made While Your Cat is Still With You

Unlike ashes jewellery, cat hair jewellery can be created while your cat is still alive. Many people commission a piece as a living keepsake — something to treasure now and always.

Types of Cat Hair Memorial Jewellery

Cat Hair Memorial Rings

Rings are among the most popular choices — worn every day, always visible, always close. Browse our Sterling Silver Women's Rings collection or explore these styles:

  • Paw print rings — A paw print detail alongside your cat's fur, for those who want something unmistakably feline
  • Stacking bands — Delicate and understated, worn alone or layered
  • Signet rings — A classic, unisex style with a flat resin surface

Cat Hair Memorial Necklaces

A necklace keeps your cat close to your heart — literally. Choose from:

Cat Hair Memorial Earrings

Subtle, wearable, and deeply personal. Browse our Sterling Silver Stud Earrings collection or choose a style:

Cat Hair Memorial Bracelets

Our pet memorial bracelet features your cat's fur set in a resin charm — worn on the wrist, felt throughout the day.

How is Cat Hair Preserved in Jewellery?

Every piece begins with your cat's fur and ends with something you'll wear for a lifetime. Here's how it happens:

Step 1: Fur Collection

You collect a small amount of your cat's fur — just 5–10 strands or a tiny pinch is enough for rings and earrings. I'll work with whatever you have.

Step 2: Fur Preparation

The fur is carefully cleaned and prepared, removing any debris. It may be trimmed to the right length for the piece being made.

Step 3: Resin Encapsulation

The fur is placed into the chosen professional-grade resin — UV (Japanese jewellery resin) or epoxy — poured in careful layers to ensure perfect positioning with no air bubbles. The resin can be kept completely clear to showcase the natural beauty of your cat's fur in stunning detail, or combined with opal flakes or mica for a subtle, luminous shimmer. Both options are beautiful in their own way.

Step 4: Curing

UV resin is cured under a UV lamp for a fast, crystal-clear set. Epoxy resin cures at room temperature over 24–48 hours for a deep, rich finish.

Step 5: Shaping and Polishing

Once cured, the resin is shaped, sanded, and polished to a smooth, glossy finish.

Step 6: Final Assembly

The resin stone is set into its sterling silver or gold setting, given a final polish, and quality checked before being sent to you.

How to Collect Your Cat's Fur

When to Collect

Ideally, collect while your cat is still with you. But if you've already lost them, you may still find fur in:

  • Brushes or grooming tools
  • Bedding or favourite blankets
  • Cat trees or scratching posts
  • Clothing or furniture
  • Saved clippings from grooming

How Much Do You Need?

  • Small jewellery (rings, earrings, delicate pendants): Just 5–10 strands or a tiny pinch
  • Larger keepsakes: More is ideal, but I can always work with less

How to Collect

  1. Brush your cat — Collect fur from the bristles. Most cats shed regularly, making this simple.
  2. Trim carefully — A small snip from behind the ears or under the chin works well for long-haired cats.
  3. Save from grooming — Keep fur from professional or home grooming sessions.
  4. Gather from bedding — Collect clean fur from their favourite sleeping spots.

Tips

  • Choose fur from areas that show your cat's unique colouring or markings
  • For tabby, tortoiseshell, or calico cats, collect from different areas to capture their full pattern
  • Long fur creates beautiful visible texture; short fur works just as well

Storing Fur Before Sending

  • Place in a small zip-lock bag or sealed envelope
  • Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight
  • Label with your cat's name

How to Send Your Cat's Fur

  1. Place the fur in a small zip-lock bag, labelled with your cat's name and order number
  2. Put the bag inside a padded envelope or small box
  3. Include your contact details and any special requests (e.g. "Please use the ginger fur prominently")
  4. Send via Royal Mail Tracked or Special Delivery

Choosing the Right Metal

Sterling Silver

Pros: Beautiful shine, hypoallergenic, classic look, affordable
Cons: Can tarnish over time (easily cleaned)
Best for: Everyday wear, those who love a classic silver look

9ct Gold

Pros: Durable, doesn't tarnish, heirloom quality
Cons: Higher price point
Best for: Special pieces, heirloom jewellery, daily wear

Gold-Filled

Pros: Affordable gold appearance, durable
Cons: Not solid gold
Best for: A gold look without the gold price

Caring for Your Cat Hair Jewellery

Daily Care

  • Remove before swimming, showering, or washing hands
  • Avoid lotions, perfumes, and cleaning products
  • Store in a dry jewellery box when not wearing
  • Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after wearing

Long-Term Care

  • Avoid prolonged direct sunlight — it can fade the resin over time
  • Keep away from heat sources
  • Have professionally cleaned if needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fur from any breed?
Yes — Persian, Siamese, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, domestic shorthair. All fur works beautifully in resin.

What if I don't have much fur left?
Even 5–10 strands are enough for small jewellery. Check brushes, bedding, cat trees, and clothing.

Can I combine fur from multiple cats?
Absolutely. Many people create a single piece that honours several beloved cats at once.

Will my cat's colouring show in the jewellery?
Yes — black, ginger, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, white. Their unique colour and pattern will be visible in the resin, especially stunning in a clear UV resin setting.

Clear resin or with shimmer — which is better?
Neither is better — it's entirely personal. Clear resin lets your cat's fur take centre stage in all its natural glory. Opal or mica shimmer adds a magical, luminous quality. Many customers love both for different pieces.

Which resin is used for my piece?
I select the most appropriate resin — UV (Japanese professional jewellery resin) or epoxy — based on the individual piece and setting to ensure the best possible result.

How long does it take?
Typically 2–4 weeks from when I receive your cat's fur.

Will I get unused fur back?
Yes. Any unused fur is returned with your finished piece.

Can I combine fur and ashes?
Yes — many people choose to include both in a single piece.

Is it suitable as a gift?
It's one of the most thoughtful sympathy gifts you can give to someone who has lost a beloved cat.

Cat Hair Jewellery vs. Other Memorial Options

vs. Paw Print Jewellery

Paw print jewellery captures an impression of your cat's paw. Fur jewellery contains actual fur — a physical part of them. Our Pawprint Hollow Heart Pendant beautifully combines both worlds.

vs. Photo Jewellery

Photo jewellery shows what your cat looked like. Fur jewellery holds a part of who they were. Many people choose both.

vs. Ashes Jewellery

Ashes jewellery is created after your cat has passed. Fur jewellery can be made while they're still with you — a living keepsake as much as a memorial one.

Cat Hair Jewellery at Lovely Oxford

Every piece I make is handcrafted by me, in my South Oxfordshire studio. I'm a cat lover — I understand what it means to be chosen by one, and I understand what it means to lose them. I treat every order with the care and compassion it deserves.

My collection includes:

Every piece is made to order using professional-grade UV (Japanese jewellery resin) or epoxy resin, selected individually for each piece, and set in ethically sourced precious metals. The resin can be kept crystal clear to let your cat's fur shine through in all its natural detail, or enhanced with opal flakes or mica for a luminous finish. Both are beautiful. Both are lasting.

Every order includes:

  • Handcrafted jewellery with your cat's fur
  • Return of any unused fur
  • Eco-friendly packaging
  • Full care instructions
  • 1-year guarantee
  • Free UK shipping on orders over £100

A Final Word

You didn't own your cat. They chose you — and that is the greatest compliment a cat can give. They stayed because they wanted to. They loved because they decided to. And when they were ready to go, they left behind a space that only they could fill.

This jewellery is for that space. A small, beautiful, wearable reminder that you were chosen — and that their fur, their colour, their presence, lives on.

If you're ready to create your piece, or if you have any questions at all, I'm here. Browse the collection or get in touch — I'd love to help you create something truly special for your beloved cat.

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