If you're here because you're considering a memorial crystal for a pet you've lost, or one you're preparing to say goodbye to, this guide walks through everything — photo selection, sizing, shapes, and personalization — so you can make this decision without adding more to carry.
Choosing the photo
There's no wrong photo to choose. Some people want the most recent picture, exactly how their pet looked at the end. Others want a photo from years earlier — mid-run, young, at their most themselves. Both are right. Go with the photo that brings you comfort, not the one you think you're supposed to pick.
Technically, a clear, well-lit, front-facing photo engraves the most detail — but a slightly imperfect photo that captures who they really were will always outperform a technically perfect one that doesn't feel like them. Our guide to choosing the best pet photo covers this in more detail if you want it.
Choosing a size
- Small — for a nightstand, a desk, a quiet personal space you visit often
- Medium — the most common choice, sized for a shelf or mantle where family will see it too
- Large — a centerpiece piece, for a shared family space
Choosing a shape
Heart shapes are the most common choice for a pet memorial — there's no ambiguity about what it represents. Rectangle and Iceberg shapes work well when you want the photo itself, rather than the shape, to carry the emotional weight. There's no wrong choice here either; pick whichever feels right when you picture it in your home.
Adding a light base
A light base isn't required, but many people find it changes how the crystal feels in the room — from a still object into something that glows, almost like a small presence. It's a meaningful upgrade if the crystal will sit somewhere you pass by in the evening.
When to order
There's no right timing. Some people order within days of losing a pet, needing something tangible right away. Others wait months, or order on what would have been a birthday or adoption anniversary. Whenever you're ready is the right time — including if that's not yet. If you're looking for other ways to mark this alongside a crystal, we've also put together 10 meaningful ways to memorialize a pet.
If you're doing this for someone else
A pet memorial crystal is one of the most genuinely comforting gifts you can give someone grieving a pet — it acknowledges the loss directly, rather than working around it. If you're ordering for a friend or family member, ask them for a photo rather than guessing, and let them know it's coming so it doesn't arrive as a surprise during a hard week.
When you're ready
Whatever pace this is happening at for you, we're here whenever you are.
