MEVISTO
memorial jewellery made
from ashes or hair.
MEVISTO transforms the ashes or hair of a loved one or pet into a genuine ruby, sapphire or pearl with a soul. Our mission as a family-run business is to give people the opportunity to feel close to their loved ones and remain connected – as a symbol of love during their lifetime or as a lasting memento of a deceased loved one or pet.
With great care and respect, we create keepsakes of great emotional value. They preserve memories, foster a sense of closeness and can offer comfort and support during the grieving process.
MEVISTO Gemstone Manufactory is a family-run business based in Kirchham, Upper Austria. Since 2013, we have been crafting personalised sapphires and rubies from elements of hair or ashes. Many years of intensive research and development went into the process, from the initial idea to the finished commemorative gemstone. For us, it is not a job, but a calling.
The idea of creating tangible mementos as an alternative to traditional funeral practices arose from personal experiences.
A devastating tragedy at a young age shaped our founder, Gerald Reiter, and changed his perspective on traditional funerals. In such a difficult situation, he lacked the support he so desperately needed. This gave rise to the desire for a tangible form of remembrance that could accompany one everywhere—regardless of a specific location. Unlike a photograph, it is not meant to transport the memory back to a specific situation, but rather to provide space for growth and the grieving process.
This family history has also shaped the next generation. Thus, out of a deep need, the idea emerged to create keepsakes from ashes or hair—as an alternative.
The name MEVISTO arose from the desire to find a term that combines change, hope, and the act of making memories visible.
ME stands for metamorphosis—the transformation of one form into another.
VISTO means “to make visible” or “to bring into the light.” The V is pronounced like a W.
Thus, MEVISTO represents the transformation of form into something tangible. From elements such as hair or ashes, keepsakes are created that preserve love, connection, and the light of shared memories.
For everything changes its form—yet they never lose the love.
How a
gemstone is created from ashes or hair
Every moment is unique. Special moments deserve to be preserved for eternity.
Thanks to the method developed by MEVISTO – believed to be the only one of its kind in the world – genuine sapphires or rubies can be created from the elements contained in the hair or ashes of humans or animals . Unlike conventional memorial diamonds, which contain only a single element – carbon – MEVISTO’s personalised gemstones incorporate up to ten elements, such as calcium, iron, magnesium and titanium, into their structure.
Scientifically confirmed: not only the incorporation of the elements into the atomic structure, but also the uniqueness of every MEVISTO gemstone.
A Pearl with a Soul: A DIY
keepsake
The Pearl with a Soul combines understated design with personal significance. From a tiny amount of ashes or a small strand of hair, a meaningful pearl is created that preserves memories in an aesthetic form.
The difference compared to personalised gemstones lies in the personalisation process: whilst MEVISTO’s gemstones undergo a long, highly complex process, the Pearl with a Soul can be easily personalised at home using just a small amount of hair or ashes.
A mini-lab helps to filter the elements from the material and bind them in a liquid. This is then incorporated into the handcrafted ceramic pearl. The pearl is set in high-alloy silver
Why MEVISTO
MEVISTO does not produce diamonds, as their personalisation cannot be conclusively proven scientifically.
The personalisation of MEVISTO’s sapphires and rubies is not only visually recognisable, but also measurable and scientifically verified.
Similarly, the personalisation of the ‘Pearl with a Soul’ using elements from hair or ashes is scientifically verified.
Process
From the receipt of the raw material to the finished keepsake, every step is carried out with the utmost care.
Through precise analysis, controlled processes and a wealth of experience, hair or ashes are transformed into a personal, one-of-a-kind piece – crafted with the aim of honouring the memory.
Quality
Every gemstone undergoes rigorous quality controls. MEVISTO achieves exceptional cutting quality and attaches the utmost importance to process reliability.
The ‘Pearl with a Soul’ is handcrafted in-house at MEVISTO. Each one undergoes numerous stages and quality controls until it is ready to accompany you for a lifetime. It is set in high-alloy silver.
Delivery time
Gemstones are crafted in just 30 working days, and jewellery in 50.
Every step is carried out with precise craftsmanship and to the highest standards. During busy periods, delivery times may vary slightly.
The ‘Pearl with a Soul’ is ready-made – once ordered, it is dispatched within two days.
Base materials
Hair or ashes are used to personalise the gemstones or the ‘pearl with a soul’.
They provide enough elements to make MEVISTO’s keepsakes truly special. Although we are all made up of the same elements, our compositions differ.
This elemental code can even be seen in the colour of the gemstones: the colour intensity is determined solely by the elements.
The circle of life teaches us
that nothing stays the same.
And yet everything is connected.
The world keeps turning, with or without us. There’s a saying: ‘You’re only truly dead when you’re forgotten.’ That’s why stories shouldn’t be lost, but passed on to future generations. We are who we are because the past is part of us. And these stories can have a positive impact on future generations.
Feedback is important to us.
We craft every keepsake with the utmost care, respect and a great deal of heart. That’s why we welcome all feedback – because it shows us what we’re already doing well and where we can improve.
Your feedback not only helps us, but also helps others who are looking for a trustworthy partner to create their own personal keepsake. Thank you very much for taking the time to do this.
Moments in Life
Life is marked by unforgettable moments – from birth, love and family to saying goodbye to a loved one or a pet. Each of these moments tells a part of our story.
We’re always happy to offer personal advice by phone or email.
Jewellery made from hair or ashes – a companion for eternity
Every moment is unique. Particularly meaningful moments deserve to be preserved for eternity. At MEVISTO, memories become tangible.
Using the ashes or hair of loved ones or cherished pets – thanks to MEVISTO’s globally unique method – we create bespoke pieces of jewellery featuring precious gemstones such as sapphires or rubies. This way, your loved ones are always close by
Support and advice at
We’re always available by phone, even at weekends!
Free of charge and with no obligation
Frequently asked questions
about keepsake jewellery
Any animal can be a spirit animal—regardless of its size. MEVISTO crafts a gemstone from ashes, feathers, or fur. You can even personalize a pearl with a soul yourself at home.
Currently, about 1,000 to 1,200 sapphires and rubies are created from ashes or hair each year.
Tastes vary. That’s why we can always provide customized solutions for gemstone cuts and jewelry. The most helpful thing is to provide a concrete idea in the form of an image or sketch—MEVISTO will use this as a basis to create a customized quote.
A carat is a unit of weight—the actual size therefore depends on the cut. In our online store, the dimensions in millimeters are listed right next to the carat weight. In our original catalog, the gemstone cuts are shown approximately at their actual size.
Good to know: 1 ct = 0.2 g
In some regions of Germany and Austria, funeral laws are still strict. In certain federal states, adjustments and relaxations have already been made. MEVISTO is happy to advise you on what is possible in each specific case.
In Upper Austria, the removal of ashes for a keepsake is permitted. We can therefore carry out the removal of ashes. For regions with stricter laws, we offer the option of creating a keepsake from hair.
You can reach us at +43 7619 22122 160.
The “Pearl with a Soul” is made of ceramic, while the gemstones are sapphires and rubies. The handcrafted ceramic pearls are set in high-alloy silver. We set the gemstones in 14-karat gold, or in 18-karat gold upon request.
For the rubies and sapphires, we need much more ash and much more hair than for personalizing the pearl. For the pearl, you’ll need a mini-lab that allows you to personalize the piece of jewelry yourself at home. In just a few simple steps and 20 minutes, you can work together to turn the silver piece of jewelry into something truly special.
“Why does MEVISTO produce gemstones and not diamonds?” We get asked this question often.
There are four major gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. So, diamonds are gemstones, too
A diamond consists almost entirely of carbon, while rubies and sapphires are made of corundum (aluminum oxide, Al₂O₃). The emerald belongs to the beryl mineral group and has a different crystal structure as well as a lower hardness.
During cremation, temperatures range from about 850 to 1,100 °C. In this process, the vast majority of the originally present carbon is oxidized and is released as carbon dioxide. As a result, the remaining ashes generally no longer contain enough usable carbon to create a diamond.
For this reason, MEVISTO has developed its own scientifically based process. Instead of carbon, we use the individual elements contained in the ashes or hair of a person or animal and integrate them into the crystal structure of a sapphire or ruby. It is precisely these elements that influence the resulting gemstone and make every memorial sapphire and memorial ruby a one-of-a-kind piece—as unique as the life it symbolizes.
The result is not only an extraordinary gemstone, but a personal memento with a story that lives on in every crystal.