Why Material Quality Matters at Second Life Keepsakes

At Second Life Keepsakes, every piece I create holds a story. Whether it’s preserving breastmilk from your feeding journey, honoring the memory of a loved one with cremation ashes, celebrating a beloved pet or incorporating flowers from a meaningful occasion, these keepsakes are designed to be worn close to your heart every single day.

Because of the significance behind each piece, choosing high-quality materials isn’t just important to me, it’s essential.

Sterling Silver: 

Many of my keepsakes are crafted using 925 sterling silver, a precious metal made of 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver is an excellent choice for everyday wear.

Unlike inexpensive costume jewelry, sterling silver is designed to last. With proper care, it can be polished to restore its original shine and enjoyed for years to come. 

Gold Filled

For my gold pieces, I primarily use 14k gold filled materials whenever possible.

Gold filled jewelry contains a thick layer of genuine gold that is permanently bonded to a base metal. It contains significantly more gold than gold-plated jewelry, making it much more durable and resistant to tarnishing and wear.

I specifically choose gold filled because:

• It offers the look and feel of solid gold at a more accessible price point.
• It’s suitable for daily wear.
• It lasts much longer than traditional gold plating.
• It is generally better tolerated by those with sensitive skin.

When you’re investing in a keepsake filled with irreplaceable memories, I want the jewelry itself to be something you can confidently wear every day.

Why Some Pieces Are Gold Plated?

Transparency is very important to me, so I always want my customers to understand exactly what they’re purchasing.

A small selection of designs are currently offered in gold plated & sterling silver finishes, including:

• Mille Eternity Band
• Saya Pear Pendant Necklace
• Z Curved Half Eternity Band
• Gianna 6 Stone Bracelet
• Emmy Eternity Band
• Addie Inlay Ring

These particular styles simply cannot be manufactured in gold filled materials due to the intricate designs and the way they are produced by my trusted suppliers.

Although these pieces are gold plated, I carefully select high-quality options that align with the standards I maintain for Second Life Keepsakes. With proper care, they can still be enjoyed and treasured for years.

If having a piece in sterling silver or gold filled is especially important to you, I’m always happy to help guide you toward designs that best fit your preferences and lifestyle.

Jewelry Designed for Real Life

As a mother myself, I understand that meaningful jewelry shouldn’t live tucked away in a jewelry box. It should be with you through all of life’s everyday experiences. And if your anything like me, I find it daunting to put jewelry on a off everyday, specifically bracelets and necklaces.

My goal has always been to create keepsakes that are not only beautiful but also durable enough to become part of your daily life.

These pieces carry your stories, your love and your memories. They deserve to be crafted with materials chosen intentionally and with care.

Because the moments they represent aren’t temporary and your jewelry shouldn’t be either.

Thank you for trusting me with your most precious memories.

Brittany xoxo