Fingerprint & Pet Print Jewellery FAQs

Everything you need to know about ordering, capturing your loved one’s impression prints, and crafting your perfect piece or jewellery.

Ordering

No, if you already know which piece of jewellery you'd like your impression made into, simply order that. Once your order is placed, I’ll send out your Wax Impression Kit.

You'll receive:

  • Two pieces of wax per jewellery piece ordered
  • A step-by-step instruction leaflet on how to take the best impression
  • A prepaid return label to send your Impression Kit back to me (Aus & NZ customers only)
  • Ring shaper & guide - Ring Band orders only

Your Wax Impression Kit will be dispatched within 2 business days, and you’ll receive tracking details once it's on its way.

Absolutely! If you're unsure which jewellery piece your loved one would like, our Wax Kits make the perfect gift. Once you're ready to order your final piece of jewellery I will provide a credit for the full cost of the Wax Kit (excluding any shipping costs). 

Please make sure to reach out before ordering the final piece of jewellery so I know not to resend the wax kit and can apply your credit.

To accommodate fluctuating metal prices, you have 6 months from the date of purchase to return your completed wax impressions. Impressions received after this timeframe may incur additional fees.

Once I receive your wax impressions, it typically takes 2–3 weeks for your finished piece to be ready to ship. You’ll receive an email with tracking details when your order is dispatched.

Taking Impressions

Step-by-step instructions will be included with your Wax Kit, but the process involves heating the wax and pressing your finger or pet’s paw or nose firmly into the wax to create a clearly defined impression.

No special equipment is needed. To soften the wax, you can gently heat it using a hairdryer or place the wax in a cup of hot (not boiling) water. Everything else you need is included in your Wax Kit.

To check how your finished print will look, shine a light directly on the impression. If you can see a clear print with the naked eye, it will turn out perfectly.

If you’re not happy with the impression, you can reheat the wax, roll it back into a ball, and try again. If you're unsure, feel free to reach out at shop@merakistudio.com.au, and we’ll assess the prints via email.

While we can refine small imperfections, the final result depends on the quality of the impression you provide. If we believe the prints may not turn out well, we will contact you. If they are unsuitable, you will need to purchase a new Wax Impression Kit to retake the impressions.

Your wax impression is cast in your chosen metal using the traditional lost wax casting technique, which produces the most beautifully authentic impression. Each piece is then finished and polished by hand, making it completely unique.

While there’s no set minimum or maximum age, fingerprints from babies under 12 months are often not defined enough to take a clear print. Equally, as we age our fingerprints may fade and lose definition, so prints from our oldest loved ones may also be less distinct. You can still try to take an impression, but it may result in more of an imprint than a well-defined fingerprint. As an alternative, you can capture the creases along the length of their finger. While it won't replicate the unique fingertip pattern, it can still create a beautiful and meaningful keepsake.

Yes! Please leave impressions on all the wax pieces provided and return them all to me. This allows me to select the best print for casting.

Double-Sided Impressions

To create a double-sided print, Carefully position both fingers on opposite sides of the wax and press the fingers evenly and simultaneously into the wax to create a double-sided impression. Detailed instructions are included in your Impression Kit.

Yes! There is no extra cost for a double-sided print. Prices are per pendant, not per print.

Simply order the pendant in your chosen metal. When placing your order, you'll have the option to select a double-sided print. If you forget to tick this, don’t worry - there’s no extra cost, but it’s helpful for me to know when handling your wax impression.

Family Impressions

Yes! There are a few ways to capture multiple prints:

  • Double-Sided Fingerprint Pendant: Two people press their fingers into opposite sides of the wax simultaneously, creating a double-sided impression.
  • Family Fingerprint Bar: Roll the wax into an oblong shape, then have each person press their print side by side along the length of the wax.
  • Heart Fingerprint Pendant: Two people can press their fingers into the wax side-by-side. The wax is then shaped into a heart before casting.

While there’s no strict limit, we recommend a maximum of 3 impressions to ensure each print is clearly visible. If you'd like a larger piece, please reach out, and we’ll be happy to work with you to create the piece you desire.

Unfortunately, we can’t merge two wax pieces into one pendant, and double-sided impressions require both prints to be taken simultaneously. However, we can send separate kits to different addresses so you can create two individual pendants that can be added to one chain.

Simply order the number of pendants you’d like, but include just one chain in your order.

If the Wax Kits need to be sent to different people, please place a separate order for each pendant. Once the impressions are returned, we can combine the finished pendants onto one chain.

When sending back your wax impressions, please include the order number and the delivery address for where you’d like the finished piece sent.

Pet Impressions

Your Wax Kit will include full step-by-step instructions. It’s as simple as warming the wax and gently but firmly pressing it onto your pet’s paw or nose to capture a clear, defined impression.

Both make beautiful impressions. It really depends on your dog - some are more sensitive about their paws being touched, while others may find it hard watching you press the wax onto their nose. If you’re unsure which to choose, try both and see which works best for you and your pup.

It’s possible, but it's unlikely that enough pressure will be applied to create a clearly defined print. That said, we’ve seen some beautiful double-sided prints combining a pet's impression with their owner's.

Yes - if they let you! We’ve created some beautiful pieces from both cat paw and nose prints.

Customisations

For single-sided pendants, we offer a hand-stamped initial on the back. If you're ordering multiple pendants, we highly recommend including this to help differentiate them.

Please note, this is a stamped initial, not laser engraving, so it has an organic, handcrafted look. We don’t offer engraving at this stage, but you’re welcome to take your finished piece to your local jeweller for engraving.

We recommend 9ct gold as it’s durable enough to protect the tiny, intricate details of your impression. If you’d prefer 18ct, white, or rose gold, give us a message and we’ll be happy to provide a quote.

Absolutely! We’d love to help create the perfect piece for you. Send us a message with your ideas, and we’ll be happy to provide a quote.