Capturing a loved one’s fingerprint is a deeply personal way to create jewellery that holds real meaning. At Meraki Studio, I handcraft custom fingerprint jewellery in solid sterling silver and 9ct gold using the impressions you take at home with one of my wax kits.
Whether you are preserving a child’s tiny prints, capturing your partner’s touch, or creating a meaningful Christmas gift, this guide will walk you through how to take a clear, detailed fingerprint impression.
Why fingerprint jewellery is so meaningful
Fingerprints are nature’s signature. No two are alike. Every ridge, line and mark tells a story that belongs only to that person. When captured in jewellery, a fingerprint becomes a wearable reminder of love, connection and memory.
Fingerprint jewellery is often chosen for:
Gifts for parents and grandparents
Anniversary and milestone keepsakes
Memorial jewellery honouring a loved one
With Christmas approaching, gifting a wax kit can also be a thoughtful option. It allows the recipient to take part in the process and create something meaningful that lasts well beyond the festive season.
What’s included in your wax kit
Each wax kit includes everything you need to take a fingerprint impression at home:
2 to 3 pieces of soft jewellers wax
Clear, step by step instructions
A prepaid returns label to send your impressions back to me
Step by step: how to take a fingerprint impression
Warm the waxGently warm the wax using a hairdryer or a cup of warm water until it becomes soft and pliable.
Press the fingerFirmly press the chosen finger into the wax. Hold for a moment, then lift straight off to avoid smudging.
Check the detailsYou should be able to see clear ridges and lines. This detail will be preserved in the final piece.
Repeat if neededIf you are not happy with the result, simply warm the wax again and try another impression.
Return the waxOnce satisfied, return the wax impressions using the prepaid label. I will then begin crafting your jewellery using the traditional lost wax casting technique.
Tips for capturing the best impression
Test the wax first so you understand how much warmth and pressure is needed.
Ensure fingers are clean and dry before taking the impression.
Place the wax on a smooth, flat surface to keep the back of the impression clean.
For children under 12 months, fingerprints are not fully developed. Instead, take an impression of the creases between their fingers.
When your wax impression arrives back at my studio, I carefully assess it before handcrafting your fingerprint pendant or ring in sterling silver or 9ct gold. Every line and ridge you capture is preserved, making each piece entirely unique.
A gift that lasts beyond Christmas
Fingerprint jewellery is a gift that carries meaning long after Christmas has passed. If you are short on time, gifting a wax kit is a beautiful alternative to a finished piece, allowing your loved one to capture their own memory and have it transformed into jewellery later.
Final thoughts
Taking a fingerprint impression is a simple yet powerful way to preserve connection. With my wax kits, you can capture a moment in time and turn it into handmade jewellery designed to be worn, treasured and passed down.
Explore fingerprint jewellery
When choosing fingerprint jewellery, there are two common methods you may come across: impression print jewellery and laser engraved fingerprints. While both can create sentimental pieces, the way the print is captured makes a significant difference to the final result.
At Meraki Studio, I specialise exclusively in impression print jewellery. This means a real fingerprint or pet print is pressed directly into wax and then cast into metal using the traditional lost wax casting technique. The result is a deeply personal keepsake that preserves every natural detail of the original print.
Understanding the difference between these two methods can help you choose the right approach, especially when creating jewellery intended to hold meaning, memory and connection for years to come.
What is impression print jewellery?
Impression print jewellery is created by taking a physical imprint of a fingerprint, paw print or nose print into soft jewellers wax. This wax impression is then cast in solid sterling silver or 9ct gold.
Because the print is taken directly into wax, the jewellery captures the full depth of the impression. Every ridge, curve and subtle mark is preserved in three dimensional form. You are not wearing an image of a fingerprint, but the true texture of it.
This tactile quality is what makes impression print jewellery so meaningful. When you run your finger over the finished piece, you can feel the print itself.
What is laser engraved fingerprint jewellery?
Laser engraved fingerprint jewellery works from a photo or ink print rather than a physical impression. The image is uploaded and then etched onto the surface of the metal using a laser.
While this method can still produce a visually appealing result, the fingerprint remains flat. The engraving reflects only what appears in the image provided, and fine details can be lost depending on the clarity and resolution of the photo.
Laser engraving is often faster and more accessible, but it does not capture the depth, texture or individuality of a true impression taken directly from the source.
Why the difference matters
When jewellery represents love, memory or a lasting bond, the details matter.
Depth and detail – Impression print jewellery preserves the natural ridges and grooves of the original print. Laser engraving replicates only the visible lines in an image.
Texture – Impression jewellery can be felt as well as seen. Engraved jewellery remains smooth and flat.
Uniqueness – Every physical impression is entirely unique. An engraved image may lose subtle individuality.
Longevity – Cast impression jewellery in sterling silver or 9ct gold is designed to last and be passed down.
When impression print jewellery is the right choice
Impression print jewellery is ideal when you want to preserve the true essence of a loved one or pet. It is especially meaningful for:
Memorial jewellery that honours someone who has passed
Parents and grandparents capturing a child’s print
Pet lovers preserving a dog or cat’s paw or nose print
Because each piece is handmade using the lost wax casting method, it takes time and care to create. The result is a one-of-a-kind keepsake designed to be treasured for generations.
When laser engraving may be suitable
Laser engraving may be considered when only a photo or ink print is available and taking a physical impression is not possible. While it can still hold sentimental value, it does not offer the same depth or tactile quality as an impression print.
At Meraki Studio, I focus solely on impression print jewellery, as I believe this method best honours the authenticity and individuality of each print.
A meaningful gift leading into Christmas
As Christmas approaches, impression print jewellery makes a deeply thoughtful gift. Whether capturing a child’s fingerprint or a pet’s paw print, it is a piece that carries meaning long after the festive season has passed.
If time does not allow for a finished custom piece, gifting a wax kit is a beautiful alternative. It allows your loved one to take the impression at home and have it handcrafted into jewellery after the holidays.
Why choose Meraki Studio?
Handmade on Gadigal Land in Sydney by Lucy, the sole jeweller behind Meraki Studio
Crafted in solid sterling silver and 9ct gold using lost wax casting
Thoughtful, sustainable practices, including recycled gold and silver
Free repairs for life on all jewellery
$5 from every piece donated to the Pay The Rent initiative
Final thoughts
Both impression print jewellery and laser-engraved jewellery have their place. The difference lies in authenticity. If you are looking to preserve the true texture and individuality of a fingerprint or pet print, impression print jewellery offers a depth and connection that engraving simply cannot replicate.
This Christmas, consider a keepsake that holds more than an image, one that preserves touch, memory and love in its truest form.
Explore the impression print jewellery collection
Each year, Indigenous Literacy Day shines a light on the power of storytelling, knowledge sharing, and the importance of literacy within First Nations communities. It is a day to listen, learn, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - the world’s oldest continuous culture.
The Importance of Indigenous Literacy Day
Literacy goes beyond the ability to read and write. For First Nations peoples, it is also about preserving culture, passing down language, and keeping traditions alive. Many remote communities face barriers to accessing books and resources in their first languages, and Indigenous Literacy Day is a chance to raise awareness and support initiatives that address this gap.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) plays a crucial role in this space. They provide culturally relevant books, support publishing in First Nations languages, and deliver literacy programs led by community voices. Their work ensures children grow up with access to stories that reflect their culture, their identity, and their languages.
Understanding Pay the Rent
Beyond one day of awareness, meaningful support can come through initiatives such as Pay the Rent. This grassroots movement calls on individuals, businesses, and organisations to make ongoing financial contributions to First Nations communities. The principle is simple: we live, work, and build businesses on stolen land. Paying the rent is a way of acknowledging this truth and contributing to justice and self-determination.
Funds contributed to Pay the Rent initiatives are distributed directly to First Nations organisations and communities, supporting housing, education, health, cultural projects, and land care. It is one of the most direct and impactful ways to provide support.
How Meraki Studio Supports
At Meraki Studio, we are based on Gadigal Land, Sydney, and it is important to us that we recognise the unceded land on which we live and work. One of the ways we contribute is by supporting the Pay the Rent initiative.
For every piece of jewellery sold, we contribute $5 to Pay the Rent, helping to fund programs and initiatives that directly support First Nations communities. This is one small but ongoing way we can give back and ensure that support continues beyond words and acknowledgements.
How You Can Support
There are many meaningful ways you can get involved:
Donate to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to help provide books and resources to remote communities.
Support Pay the Rent by setting up a recurring contribution as an individual or business.
Buy from First Nations-owned businesses to directly support communities and creators.
Educate yourself and others by engaging with First Nations literature, art, and cultural works.
A Day for Listening and Action
Indigenous Literacy Day is a reminder to celebrate and honour the strength, resilience, and creativity of First Nations peoples. It is also a call to action - to listen, to learn, and to contribute in ways that make a tangible difference.
At Meraki Studio, we believe that storytelling is at the heart of identity and connection. On this day, and every day, we stand in support of First Nations voices and the important work being done to keep culture, language, and stories alive.
When we lose someone we love, whether a family member, a friend, or a beloved pet, the memories we carry become treasures. Finding ways to hold onto those memories is an important part of healing. That is where memorial jewellery comes in. These pieces are designed not just to be worn, but to carry meaning, connection and love.
At Meraki Studio, I create handmade memorial jewellery using fingerprints, paw prints and nose prints. Each piece is a deeply personal keepsake, crafted to preserve your loved one’s unique touch in precious metal.
What is memorial jewellery?
Memorial jewellery is more than an accessory. It is a wearable connection to someone special. By preserving a real impression, you can keep them close to you every day in a way that feels comforting and tangible.
Meaningful styles to consider
Fingerprint jewellery: Every fingerprint is unique. When preserved in sterling silver or 9ct gold, it becomes a lasting reminder you can hold close.
Pet memorial jewellery: Our companions leave paw prints on our hearts. Paw and nose print jewellery lets you carry their memory wherever you go.
Why people choose memorial jewellery
Grief is personal, and we all find comfort in different ways. Memorial jewellery offers something you can touch and wear. For some, it is about feeling a loved one’s presence in everyday life. For others, it becomes a family heirloom that is passed down with care. Whatever your reason, memorial jewellery is always about love.
The Meraki Studio difference
Meraki means to do something with soul, creativity or love, leaving a piece of yourself in your work. Every piece I create carries this philosophy.
Handmade on Gadigal Land, Sydney, with care at every step
Lost wax casting technique that captures fine detail from your impression
Solid sterling silver and 9ct gold designed to be worn and loved for years
Recycled gold and silver, and ethically sourced gemstones
Free repairs for life on all our jewellery
I will guide you through capturing fingerprints, paw prints or nose prints so your keepsake turns out beautifully.
Curious about the process from start to finish? Read the FAQs or learn about how to capture your impressions.
A keepsake for every story
No two stories are the same, and neither are the keepsakes I create. Some families choose to preserve multiple fingerprints together in a family fingerprint bar. Others choose a single paw or nose print to remember a loyal companion. Your piece is customised to reflect your story, ensuring it feels as personal as the person or pet it honours.
Choosing the right piece for you
Who you are honouring: a parent, child, partner or pet
How you want to wear it: necklace, bracelet or ring
Which impression feels right: fingerprint, paw print or nose print
If you need a hand deciding, I am here to help you choose a style, metal and chain length that suits your everyday wear and your story.
Honour your loved one with a timeless keepsake
Memorial jewellery transforms love and memory into something lasting, something you can hold close every day. At Meraki Studio, I pour care and soul into each piece so it becomes more than jewellery. It becomes a part of your story.
Explore Impression Print Jewellery to find a keepsake that honours your loved one in sterling silver or 9ct gold. For pet memorials, visit the Pet Print Jewellery collection.
Celebrate the men who mean the most with a gift that holds real meaning. Our personalised impression print jewellery is designed to carry stories - crafted in solid sterling silver or 9ct gold.
Fingerprint Jewellery for Dads & Grandads
From newborn fingerprints to a family fingerprint bar pendant, our pieces capture lasting detail and connection. Each is handmade in Sydney.
Pet Print Jewellery for Dog Lovers
For dog dads, pet print jewellery turns a paw or nose print into a ringor pendant he’ll treasure every day.
Gift a Wax Kit This Father’s Day
Keep it flexible with a wax impression kit. You can take the prints first, then Dad can choose his final piece - the perfect custom experience.
Why Meraki Studio
Handcrafted using traditional lost wax casting
Durable designs in sterling silver or 9ct gold
Ethically sourced gemstones available
Free repairs for life
Ready to find his gift? Browse our fingerprint jewellery and pet print jewellery, or start with a wax kit.
Finding the perfect Father’s Day gift isn’t easy. Socks and tools only go so far, but personalised jewellery tells a story he can carry every day. At Meraki Studio, our impression print jewellery transforms fingerprints, paw prints and even dog nose prints into meaningful keepsakes crafted in solid sterling silver or 9ct gold.
Fingerprint Jewellery for Father’s Day
A fingerprint preserves touch, connection and love. Whether it’s your child’s tiny print or multiple family members together, our fingerprint jewellery makes a gift he’ll keep for life.
Pet Print Jewellery for Dog Dads
For the dog dads, our paw and nose print jewellery keeps a best friend close. Every print is one-of-a-kind, just like their bond.
Give a Wax Kit and Let Dad Choose
Not sure which piece he’ll love most? Gift a wax impression kit. You can capture the prints at home, then Dad can choose his design - pendant, signet ring or band.
Why Choose Meraki Studio
Personal and meaningful keepsakes made to last a lifetime
Handcrafted in solid sterling silver or 9ct gold
With love and intention on Gadigal Land, Sydney
Free repairs for life on all our jewellery
$5 from every piece given to Pay the Rent, supporting First Nation Communities 🤍
Make this Father’s Day unforgettable. Explore our full range of fingerprint and pet print jewellery or start with a wax kit.