Crystalline Keepsake Urns

Crystalline keepsake urns are some of the most individual pieces we make. Each one holds a small portion of a loved one's ashes, and no two are ever exactly alike. This guide explains what crystalline keepsakes are, how the glaze creates its jewel-like patterns, and which pieces we currently offer.

Quick answer: A crystalline keepsake urn is a small ceramic urn finished with a crystalline glaze, where real crystals grow across the surface inside the kiln. Because the crystals form through chemistry and temperature that can never be precisely repeated, every urn is genuinely one of a kind. They are sized to hold a small portion of ashes, ideal when you want to keep a little of a loved one close while scattering, burying or sharing the rest.

What makes a crystalline glaze unique?

Each urn is thrown on a potter's wheel and glazed, then fired in an electric kiln at around 1280°C. At that heat the glaze melts into a liquid matrix. As the kiln cools to a precise temperature, crystals begin to grow within the glaze, spreading into the flower-like and starburst patterns you see on the finished piece. The exact result depends on the chemistry and the cooling, so it can never be replicated. That is what makes every crystalline urn truly one of a kind, named after the crystals and gems their colors and patterns most resemble.

Why choose a keepsake size?

A keepsake urn holds a small portion of ashes rather than the full amount. Families choose them when they want to keep a little of a loved one close while scattering, burying or sharing the rest, or so that several relatives can each keep a part. The crystalline finish makes a keepsake feel like a small piece of jewellery for the home rather than a traditional urn. You can see the wider range in our keepsake urns collection.

Our crystalline keepsake urns

Because each piece is unique and made in small batches, the available designs change over time. Two we currently offer:

• The Emerald Green Crystalline Keepsake Urn, with deep green crystals blooming across a rich glaze, named for the emerald gem.
• The Violet Blue Crystalline Keepsake Urn, in soft violet and blue tones that shift in the light.

If you would like a larger matching piece, our crystalline glaze also appears on full-size adult urns. To understand the technique in more depth, see our guide on crystalline glazed ceramics.

Frequently asked questions

What is a crystalline keepsake urn?

It is a small ceramic urn finished with a crystalline glaze, in which real crystals grow across the surface during firing. It holds a small portion of ashes and, because the crystal patterns cannot be repeated, every piece is one of a kind.

Why is every crystalline urn different?

The crystals form as the glaze cools in the kiln, driven by chemistry and temperature that can never be exactly reproduced. The size, shape and spread of the crystals differ on every firing, so no two urns are identical.

How much do crystalline keepsake urns hold?

They are keepsake-sized, holding a small portion of ashes rather than the full amount. They suit keeping a little of a loved one close while scattering, burying or sharing the rest, and many also work as a pet urn.

Can I get a crystalline urn in a full adult size?

Yes. The same crystalline glaze appears on full-size adult urns as well as keepsakes, so you can pair a larger display urn with a matching keepsake if you wish.