Can You Make Fingerprint Jewellery From a Photograph?

One of the questions we’re asked most often is: “Can you make fingerprint jewellery from a photograph of a fingerprint?”

The simple answer is yes.

In many cases, a clear photograph of a fingerprint contains enough detail for us to create beautiful fingerprint jewellery, including fingerprint necklaces, fingerprint pendants, charms, bracelets and memorial keepsakes.

This is particularly helpful when the original fingerprint can’t be posted to us, family members live in different parts of the country, or a fingerprint has already been taken by a funeral director, hospital, hospice or care home.

At Under the Rose, we’ve spent over 20 years creating personalised fingerprint jewellery, helping thousands of families preserve the fingerprints of babies, children, parents, grandparents and loved ones who are no longer with them. If you have a clear photograph of a fingerprint, there’s every chance we can transform it into a piece of jewellery you’ll treasure forever.

What Types of Fingerprints Can Be Used?

Many people think they need a specialist fingerprint kit before they can order fingerprint jewellery. In reality, we can often work from several different types of fingerprints.

Ink Fingerprints
Traditional ink fingerprints usually produce the clearest detail and are ideal for creating fingerprint jewellery.

You may already have fingerprints taken:

-using a fingerprint ink pad
-with one of our fingerprint kits
-by a hospital or hospice
-by a funeral director
-by a care home
-for family records

If you already have an ink fingerprint, a clear photograph is usually all we need.

If you don’t yet have a fingerprint, our Fingerprint Ink Impression Kit contains everything you need to take professional-quality fingerprints at home. It’s suitable for adults, children and babies and includes full instructions.

We’ve also created a simple step-by-step video showing exactly how to take the best fingerprint. You’ll find it at the bottom of our Impression Kits page.

Pencil and Sticky Tape Fingerprints

One of the oldest methods for taking fingerprints is still one of the most effective.

To create a fingerprint using the pencil and sticky tape method:

-Shade a small area of white paper with a soft pencil.
-Rub the fingertip across the graphite.
-Press a piece of clear sticky tape firmly onto the fingertip.
-Stick the tape onto clean white paper.
-The fingerprint ridges transfer surprisingly well and often contain more than enough detail for us to create fingerprint jewellery.

Many of the fingerprint keepsakes we make each week begin with this simple method.

Fingerprints Taken After Someone Has Died

One of the most meaningful types of fingerprint jewellery we create is memorial fingerprint jewellery.

Many funeral directors, hospices, hospitals and care homes now offer families the opportunity to take a fingerprint after someone has died.

These prints are often supplied on a remembrance card or certificate.

If you have one of these fingerprints, you usually don’t need to send us the original. A clear photograph is often all that’s required.

For many families, memorial fingerprint jewellery provides lasting comfort, creating a beautiful way to keep someone close every day.

If you’re considering a memorial piece, you may also like to read our guide:

Memorial Jewellery – A Lasting Connection to Someone You Love

How to Take a Good Photograph of a Fingerprint

The quality of the photograph can make a huge difference.

The clearer the image, the more fingerprint detail we can see and the better the finished piece of jewellery will be.

Use Natural Daylight
Photograph the fingerprint in good natural daylight whenever possible.

Avoid dark rooms, harsh shadows or yellow artificial lighting.

Natural light helps show the fingerprint ridges clearly and captures more detail.

Fill the Screen With the Fingerprint
Move your camera close enough that the fingerprint fills most of the screen.

We need to see the ridge detail, not lots of surrounding paper.

Try to include the entire fingerprint while making it as large as possible within the image.

Make Sure the Photograph Is In Focus
Before taking the photo, tap the fingerprint on your phone screen to help the camera focus correctly.

Zoom in afterwards and check that the ridges are sharp and clearly visible.

If the fingerprint looks blurry, take another photograph.

Photograph the Original Fingerprint
Where possible, photograph the original fingerprint rather than a photocopy or printed version.

Each generation of copying can reduce the amount of visible detail.

Take More Than One Photograph
If you’re unsure which image is best, send us several photographs.

We’re always happy to advise which image is most suitable for creating fingerprint jewellery.

What Happens If My Fingerprint Isn’t Perfect?
Don’t worry.

Many of the fingerprints we receive are old, faded, smudged or incomplete.

Our team reviews every fingerprint individually and can often improve image quality before creating your jewellery.

If we have any concerns about the quality of a fingerprint, we’ll always contact you before production begins.

In many cases, fingerprints that customers think are unusable still contain enough detail to create a beautiful keepsake.

Need Help Taking a Fingerprint?

If you’re unsure whether a fingerprint is suitable, we’re always happy to help.

You can email us a photograph of the fingerprint before ordering and we’ll let you know whether it contains enough detail to create your jewellery.

If you need to take a new fingerprint, our Fingerprint Ink Impression Kit and video guide make the process quick and straightforward.

Whether you’re capturing a child’s fingerprint, taking a print for a special gift or creating a memorial keepsake, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Creating a Fingerprint That Tells Your Story

No two fingerprints are ever the same.

That’s what makes fingerprint jewellery so special.

A fingerprint captures a tiny detail that is completely unique to the person it belongs to, turning a simple print into a deeply personal keepsake.

Whether you’re celebrating a new baby, creating a gift for a parent, preserving a grandparent’s fingerprint or remembering someone who is no longer here, fingerprint jewellery allows you to keep that connection close every day.

To learn more about the history and meaning behind fingerprint jewellery, take a look at our guide below.

Fingerprint Jewellery – A Personal Keepsake That Tells Your Story

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can fingerprint jewellery be made from a photograph?
  Yes. In many cases, a clear photograph of a fingerprint contains enough detail for us to create fingerprint jewellery.
• Can you use an old fingerprint?
  Often, yes. Even older fingerprints can contain enough detail for us to work from. The best option is to send us a photograph so we can assess it.
• Can you use a fingerprint taken by a funeral director?
  Yes. We regularly work from fingerprints supplied by funeral directors, hospitals, hospices and care homes.
• What is the best way to photograph a fingerprint?
  Use natural daylight, make sure the fingerprint fills most of the image and ensure the photograph is sharp and in focus before sending it.
• Can you create memorial fingerprint jewellery from a photograph?
  Yes. Many memorial fingerprint jewellery pieces are created using photographs of fingerprints taken by funeral directors, hospitals or family members.
• Do I need to post the original fingerprint?
  Usually not. In most cases, a high-quality photograph or scan is all we need to assess whether the fingerprint can be used.
• What if I’m not sure whether my fingerprint is clear enough?
  Simply send us a photograph and we’ll be happy to advise. We review fingerprints every day and can quickly tell you whether there is enough detail to create your chosen piece.