Trove & Made-To-Order

What is the Trove collection?

Trove is our core made-to-order fine memorial jewelry collection, each piece inspired by the beauty within a well-loved jewelry box. Crafted to order in your choice of metal, memorial material, semiprecious stone and more.

How does made-to-order differ from bespoke?

Trove and other made-to-order collections (coming soon) are thoughtfully pre-designed and made to order with meaningful personalization: your metal, your stone, your memorial material. Bespoke is a fully one-of-a-kind commission, designed from the ground up around your specific story.

what's the production timeline for a TROVE/made-to-order piece?

All made-to-order pieces are completed within 6 to 8 weeks from the time we receive your memorial materials. Any delays in production will be communicated to you via email.

Do I have to include ashes or memorial materials in my Trove piece?

Not at all. While Trove was designed with memorial keepsakes in mind, every piece stands beautifully on its own as fine jewelry, with or without memorial materials. Just choose "no memorial materials" when customizing your design.

Can I include ashes from more than one person or pet in a Trove piece?

Yes, combining the ashes of more than one loved one in a single piece is something we can absolutely do. Just mention it at the time of your order so we can plan for it.

Do I need to have my memorial materials ready before I place a Trove order?

Yes. We ask that your memorial materials are ready before the process begins, which also means some natural time has passed since your loss.

Can I further customize or modify a Trove design?

Absolutely! We are happy to modify any trove design within reason (adjustments to size and scale, replacing lettering with a symbol, changing gemstone shape, etc.) Customization fees vary depending on the request and start at $150. Reach out to us at hello@itsmarlin.com with your idea and we can chat more.

Do you offer payment plans for Trove and other made-to-order pieces?

Shop Pay Installments is available at checkout for all shop purchases, allowing you to split your payment into manageable installments. For bespoke commissions, payment is structured in phases throughout the process and all balances are paid in full before your piece is shipped.

Bespoke

How is bespoke different from TROVE/made-to-order?

Bespoke pieces are designed entirely from the ground up, every detail considered and every element chosen specifically for you and your story. Made-to-order pieces offer a more streamlined path, with meaningful personalization within established designs that many clients find to be a beautiful balance of intention and accessibility.

How do I apply for a bespoke commission?

We open bespoke applications thoughtfully throughout the year. When open, you can submit a bespoke inquiry through the application on our bespoke page. Every submission is meticulously reviewed, and projects are taken based on scope, budget, and availability.

How much does a bespoke piece cost?

Bespoke ring commissions currently begin at $5,000- with pendants starting at $3,000. This pricing reflects the personalized care, time, design, craftsmanship, and expertise required to create your special one-of-a-kind piece. Investment is always discussed before any design work begins, and we can honor your budget closely as long at it meets our minimum. Bespoke starting price is subject to change at any time due to volatile metal markets.

Do you offer payment plans for bespoke designs?

Yes. Payment is structured in phases throughout the process, and flexible arrangements may be available. All balances are paid in full before your piece is shipped.

How long does the bespoke process take?

Because each bespoke piece is designed and crafted with care, timelines can vary depending on complexity, materials, and availability. Thoughtful design and careful fabrication take time, and this slower pace is an intentional part of the process.

You’ll be guided through each stage and kept informed as your piece progresses.

Can you recreate or closely copy an existing piece?

As bespoke designs are one-of-a-kind, I cannot recreate or replicate existing bespoke pieces. Inspiration and personal preferences are always part of the conversation, but every piece is intended to feel original.

Can I use my own gemstones for my bespoke piece?

Client-supplied stones may be incorporated depending on their condition, cut, and suitability for the design. Stones are not verified by a gemologist prior to fabrication- I work from the information you provide- though gemological verification is available for an additional fee if you'd like confirmation before we begin. Because older stones can be more fragile, there is an inherent risk involved in setting or resetting them, and you'll be asked to acknowledge this in writing before fabrication begins. Investment for pieces including client-supplied stones is priced individually and discussed during the design consultation. Any stones not used are carefully returned to you.

Can I use my own gold in a bespoke piece?

While client-supplied gold can be incorporated, it requires separate casting by my manufacturer and comes with an additional fee that is passed on to you, which in most cases makes it more cost-effective to work with fresh metal sourced through my studio. If melting down a meaningful piece is important to you, we can absolutely discuss it during your consultation.

Can bespoke pieces be resized or altered later?

Because many bespoke pieces are made with using specialized processes and materials, resizing and future alterations may not always be possible. To ensure proper fit and size expectations, 3D printed prototypes are supplied throughout the process.

Memorial Materials & Inlay

What memorial materials can be incorporated into a piece?

Any dry, stable material that can be safely crushed or powdered for inlay is welcome, including cremated and aquamated remains, hair or fur, dried flowers, soil or sand, and fabric fragments. If you have something unique in mind to honor your loved one, please reach out before ordering.

How much material do you need?

Only a very small amount of memorial material is needed to create your piece- about a half teaspoon of ashes or small pinch of fur or hair. We intentionally ask you to send as little as possible so you can keep the majority of your loved one with you. Full instructions are included in your order confirmation and in our Memorial Material Guide.

How do I send my memorial materials to you?

Every order comes with a memorial material collection kit. Information and instructions are included in our Memorial Material Guide and in your kit.

How are memorial materials handled and stored?

When your materials arrive at our studio they are carefully inspected and stored securely in a locked safe, kept individually identified at every stage so your piece only ever contains your material. Any remaining material is returned to you once your piece is complete.

What does your inlay process consist of?

Your memorial material is combined with crushed semiprecious stone and set into your jewelry using a specialized adhesive that hardens to a solid, stone-like material, then sanded smooth and polished to a high shine. No resin is used anywhere in our process. Our semiprecious stone is 100% natural unless otherwise noted, and sourced from reputable dealers.

What sets Marlin's memorial jewelry apart?

Much of the memorial jewelry on the market is mass-produced and made with non-precious metals. Some involve epoxy resins that yellow, crack, and breakdown over time. At Marlin, we strive to create lasting, heirloom quality fine memorial jewelry that stands the test of time, using only the finest quality materials. If cared for properly, your inlay will never crack, chip, or breaking down over time.

Can ashes or other material from more than one person or pet be combined in a single piece?

Yes! Please send us an email at hello@itsmarlin.com so we can send multiple baggies in your kit.

Shipping & Returns

Where do you ship?

We currently ship within the United States only. International shipping to Canada and Australia is on the horizon, and we’ll announce when it becomes available.

How is my finished piece shipped?

Every completed jewelry piece ships via UPS 2nd Day Air in an unbranded box fully insured and with signature required upon delivery.

Is my piece insured during shipping?

Yes. Every package is fully insured during transit. Responsibility transfers to you once UPS marks the package as delivered to your shipping address.

Can I return or exchange my piece?

Because every piece is made to order and crafted specifically for you, often with irreplaceable personal materials, all sales are final and we do not accept returns or exchanges. Orders may be canceled within 24 hours of purchase.

What if my piece arrives damaged?

If your piece arrives with a manufacturing defect or an error on our part, please contact us at hello@itsmarlin.com within 5 days of delivery and we’ll make it right. Please visit our Craftsmanship Guarantee page for full details.

What happens if my package is lost in transit?

If your package shows as delivered but can’t be located, we recommend confirming your shipping address, checking with neighbors, and contacting UPS directly to initiate a claim. We’ll assist with any documentation needed.

Sizing & Care

How do I determine my ring size?

We recommend purchasing a ring sizer from our shop and sizing yourself before placing your order. Because every piece is made to order with, resizing is not possible once your piece is complete.

How do I care for my Marlin piece?

Each piece comes with a Marlin branded polishing cloth for gentle everyday cleaning. Store your piece separately in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box, and keep it away from perfume, lotion, hairspray, and household chemicals, which can damage metals and stones over time. For all info regarding care please visit our Care Instructions page.

Can I wear my piece in the shower, swimming, or to the gym?

We recommend removing your piece before any activity involving water, moisture, chemicals, or physical stress, including exercising, swimming, and bathing. This is especially important for pieces containing memorial materials.

Payment

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Shop Pay, Shop Pay Installments, and Klarna at checkout.

Do you offer payment plans?

Shop Pay Installments and Klarna are available at checkout for all shop purchases, allowing you to split your payment into manageable installments. For bespoke commissions, payment is structured in phases throughout the process and all balances must be paid in full before your piece is shipped.