Memorial keepsake jewellery is a lovely, personalised way to remember someone who has passed away. You can keep the person close to your heart, and having their fingerprint engraved on a piece makes it truly personal and unique to them.
But if you’ve been wondering how to capture their fingerprint and make fingerprint jewellery, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know.
Fingerprints vary as you age
To create fingerprint jewellery, you need a good, clear fingerprint. In part, this is influenced by the age of the person. The individual ridges of a fingerprint are fainter in an older adult, so their fingerprints tend to be fainter too. Scars and wrinkles will often show up more as well.
Infant and toddler fingerprints are yet to fully form, so the ridges and features are less defined. This is because their fingerprints are very compact. This is why it’s often better to use an entire foot or handprint.
Young adults and adults both have distinct fingerprint patterns. This gives you a clear set of distinct ridges - which creates a really clear fingerprint. Some adults will also have more distinct scars and ‘life lines’ showing due to the age and usage of their hands.
How to get fingerprints for a memorial keepsake
You may already have their fingerprints somewhere. You could try to take a fingerprint from an item in their home, such as a silver photo frame or a piece of jewellery. But bear in mind that you need a clear print; otherwise, it’s challenging to engrave it onto a memorial keepsake. So here are a few other ways to collect the fingerprint you need.
People who have passed away
Speak to the funeral home, as they may already have fingerprints on file. Most will take them as a means of identification. They can also take fingerprints for you if the funeral or cremation has yet to take place.
For babies
Hospitals also keep records of fingerprints for newborn babies, so check with the hospital where the baby was born. The entire foot or handprint is often taken, as it's a much better means of identification. It’s also worth checking if the parents have any hand or footprints you can use, as many newborns are sent home with a print-out of them.
Military personnel who are either missing or killed in action
For anyone who worked in the military, get in touch with their military office. Service personnel records will usually have a copy of their fingerprints on record, as they’re taken at the time of registration.
If you’re looking for a personalised way to remember someone who has passed away, a memorial keepsake is a lovely idea. There are lots of options available, and if you opt for a piece of jewellery, it’s a great way to always keep the person who passed close to you at all times. Just follow the options above to help you collect that clear fingerprint you’ll need.
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