Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an annual celebration in the Mexican heritage that commemorates the lives and spiritual journeys of deceased loved ones. This year the holiday will begin on October 31 and end on November 2. The celebration features altars and decorations with candles, calaveras (skulls), calacas (skeletons) costumes, papel picado (pierced papers), flowers, photos, personal mementos, food and drinks – all abounding in color and symbolism.

Exploding color and symbolism are two words that can also describe the memorial jewelry created by Virginia jewelry artist Chrisell Vasiliou. In fact, these pendants would be a perfect addition to any Día de los Muertos celebration – or any day of the year to remember loved ones who have passed.

What are Memorial Pendants?

Memorial pendants are one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that are infused with the cremated remains of a loved one. Using a glass fusion process, Chrisell preserves the ashes forever in a colorful piece of artwork that can be worn close to the heart. Each pendant is made with various hues of dichroic glass. Modern, non-translucent dichroic glass is created by layering super thin sheets of glass with metals, oxides or silica and vaporizing them with an electron beam. A crystal structure is formed on the glass to create a color-shifting appearance on every unique piece of jewelry.

A silhouette of any shape, such as a, can be incorporated into the design of the pendant for a truly unique work of art.

Regardless of how you remember your loved ones – through colorful, public events or quiet introspection – a memorial pendant from Forever Fusions will be a piece you can treasure forever. Visit the Forever Fusions website at www.foreverfusions.com to learn more about jewelry made with ashes.