How Long Does It Take to Make Memorial Jewelry?

One of the most common questions we receive at WildBeard Legacy Co. in Fort Collins, CO is about timing: How long will it take to get my memorial jewelry?

It's a fair question—and an important one. When you're grieving, waiting feels different than it does under normal circumstances. You want to know what to expect, when to expect it, and what's happening in between.

This guide walks through the full timeline for handcrafted memorial jewelry—from the moment you place an order to the moment the finished piece arrives in your hands. We'll also cover what affects timing, what you can do to speed things up, and why rushing this process is rarely the right call.

The Short Answer

For most handcrafted memorial jewelry, expect a timeline of 2 to 6 weeks from order placement to delivery. The exact timeframe depends on the complexity of the piece, whether ash or fur is being incorporated, current production volume, and shipping time.

At WildBeard Legacy Co., we're transparent about our current lead times and communicate throughout the process so you're never left wondering where your order stands.

The Full Memorial Jewelry Timeline

Step 1: Order Placement and Design Confirmation (Days 1–3)

The process begins when you place your order and confirm the design details—engraving text, material selection, ring size, inlay choices, and whether ash or fur will be incorporated.

For standard designs from our memorial rings collection or memorial necklaces collection, this step is straightforward. For fully custom pieces through our design your own ring program, there may be a brief back-and-forth to finalize details before production begins.

Step 2: Ash or Fur Submission (If Applicable) (Days 1–7)

If your piece incorporates cremated remains or pet fur, you'll need to send a small amount to our studio before production can begin. This is typically done via USPS Priority Mail with tracking.

The amount needed is small—usually less than a teaspoon of ash or a small pinch of fur. We provide clear instructions on how to package and send it safely. Once received, we confirm receipt and begin production.

Step 3: Production (Days 7–28)

This is where the actual craftsmanship happens. Every piece at WildBeard Legacy Co. is handcrafted—not mass produced, not assembled from pre-made components.

• Memorial rings with engraving only: Typically 1–2 weeks
• Memorial rings with inlay (opal, meteorite, wood): Typically 2–3 weeks. See our opal inlay rings.
• Memorial rings with ash infusion: Typically 2–4 weeks
• Dog tag memorial necklaces: Typically 1–2 weeks
• K9 handler memorial rings: Typically 2–3 weeks. See our K9 handler memorial rings.
• Fully custom pieces: Typically 3–6 weeks via our design your own ring program

Step 4: Quality Review (Days 1–2)

Before any piece leaves our studio, it goes through a thorough quality review—engraving accuracy, inlay integrity, finish quality, and seal integrity for ash pieces. If anything doesn't meet our standards, it goes back into production. A memorial piece is permanent. It has to be right.

Step 5: Packaging and Shipping (Days 2–5)

Finished pieces are packaged carefully and shipped via tracked, insured shipping. We ship from Fort Collins, CO. Most domestic orders arrive within 3 business days of shipping.

What Affects the Timeline Most

Ash submission speed is the single biggest variable. Orders that include ash incorporation can't enter production until the ash arrives. Submitting quickly after ordering is the most effective way to shorten the overall timeline.

Design complexity matters too—standard catalog pieces move faster than fully custom designs. Current production volume also plays a role; during high-volume periods like holidays and spring, lead times may extend. Inlay material adds time—opal, meteorite, and wood inlays require precision fitting and additional finishing steps.

Can You Rush a Memorial Jewelry Order?

For pieces without ash incorporation, rush production may be possible depending on current volume—contact us directly before ordering. For pieces with ash, the infusion and curing process has minimum time requirements that can't be compressed without affecting quality. We won't compromise the integrity of a memorial piece to meet an arbitrary deadline.

If you have a specific date in mind—a memorial service, an anniversary, a birthday—contact us before ordering. We'll tell you honestly whether the timeline is achievable.

Why Handcrafted Takes Longer Than Mass-Produced

Mass-produced memorial jewelry is assembled from pre-made components, often overseas, with minimal individual attention. It ships in days because it's not actually made for you—it's made in bulk and assigned to you.

Handcrafted memorial jewelry is made for you specifically. Your engraving. Your ash. Your design choices. Your ring size. The time it takes is the time required to do that correctly. At WildBeard Legacy Co., every piece is made by hand in Fort Collins, CO. The timeline reflects the work—not inefficiency.

What to Do While You Wait

• Save your order confirmation and tracking information somewhere accessible
• Write down what you want the piece to mean to you—what you'll think about when you wear it
• If giving as a gift, plan how you'll present it
• Know that the piece being made for you right now is being made with care

Ready to Start?

Browse our memorial rings, memorial necklaces, and K9 handler memorial rings—or build something completely custom through our design your own ring program. Every piece is handcrafted in Fort Collins, CO, built to be worn for life.