Keepsake jewelry
Keep a loved one. Close to you.
Memories are the most precious thing we own. And the most fragile. Some deserve a form that lasts.
Keepsake jewelry preserves a person or a meaningful moment and carries it through everyday life. At RETINA®, it is created from the RetinaSignature of a loved one: a pattern that exists only once, set in gold or platinum.
Why memories need objects
People do not remember with the mind alone. They remember with things.
An old photograph. A handwritten letter. A watch, a ring. Memories cannot be touched or held. Perhaps that is why, for thousands of years, people have searched for ways to make them visible.
Certain objects can do exactly that, because they outlast moments. A birthday passes, a journey becomes the past. Yet certain things are kept and anchored in our memory. Not because they matter in themselves, but because they are bound to emotions and memories.
The most precious keepsakes hold emotional value
They recall not events, but people.
A keepsake becomes the stand-in for a relationship. It preserves what would otherwise remain invisible. And people do not keep such pieces in display cases. They wear them close to the body, through everyday life, for a lifetime, like a grandmother’s ring. This is why jewelry has always been their most natural form.
While classic keepsake jewelry relies on engravings, lockets, and photographs, RETINA® goes one step further. We preserve not an image, but the signature itself: the unique pattern in a person’s eye, formed before birth and unchanged for a lifetime.
Who keepsake jewelry is made for
For closeness. For family. For remembrance.
For closeness in everyday life: the signature of your partner, when work or distance keeps you apart. For parents: the signature of a child, worn as a pendant or bracelet. For families: several signatures united in one piece, as a shared emblem.
And in memory of someone who is no longer here: as a lasting, comforting keepsake. (Swiss ophthalmologists keep patients’ retinal images for 20 years after their death.)
To others, it is an elegant, organic pattern. Its meaning is known only to those who know the story. This quietness gives the piece its dignity: it puts nothing on display, yet preserves everything.
From our atelier: two brothers, one ring
Some commissions carry a story greater than the piece itself.
Two brothers were inseparable, until death parted them. A memorial diamond was created from the ashes of the brother who had passed. We set it at the center of a platinum ring, and from it the fine lines of the other brother’s RetinaSignature radiate outward. Inside the ring, hidden from view, rests an engraving: «Bruderherz», German for «dear brother».
On the outside, the piece appears as a refined, understated ring. Its full meaning can be read only by those who know. Diamond and platinum are among the most enduring materials of all – this ring may well last for centuries and carry its story onward: two souls, united for eternity.
Read the full storyWho would you like to keep close?
Tell us about this person. We listen, and together we create a piece that lasts.
Book a consultationFrequently asked questions about keepsake jewelry
What is keepsake jewelry?
Keepsake jewelry is jewelry that preserves a person or a meaningful moment in life and is worn every day. At RETINA®, it is created from the unique RetinaSignature of a loved one, set in gold or platinum.
How does a RetinaSignature differ from an engraving or a locket?
An engraving or a photograph depicts something that was chosen. The RetinaSignature is the person themselves: formed before birth, unique, and unchanged for a lifetime. The piece preserves not a depiction, but a genuine signature.
Can I wear the signature of a living person?
Yes, this is the most common case: the signature of a partner, a child, or a parent, as a sign of closeness in everyday life.
Is keepsake jewelry possible after a loss?
[[ANTWORT NACH BESTAETIGUNG – EN-Entwurf: «In principle, yes, provided a retinal image of the person exists, for example from an ophthalmologist.» Erst nach Freigabe veröffentlichen und dann wortgleich ins FAQ-Schema übernehmen.]]
Which pieces work best as keepsake jewelry?
Pendants rest close to the heart, bracelets accompany everyday life, rings are seen and touched. Several signatures can also be united in one piece, for example as a family emblem.
Can others tell that it is a keepsake?
No. Others see an elegant, organic pattern. The meaning stays private until you choose to share the story.
What materials is keepsake jewelry made from?
Exclusively platinum and gold alloys in white, yellow, and red. These precious metals do not age and can be refreshed throughout a lifetime. This is how a keepsake can endure for generations.
How long does it take to make?
About two months from consultation to finished piece, with an optional 3D visualization beforehand. We ship worldwide.
How much does keepsake jewelry cost?
Pendants start at CHF 1 900, rings at CHF 2 700. All current guide prices can be found on our prices page.