Fingerprint and paw print jewellery: how it works

October 9, 2026

A fingerprint is one of the most personal things a person leaves behind, and a paw print can hold years of companionship. Fingerprint jewellery in South Africa lets you keep that mark close, engraved into a ring or pendant you can wear every day. Whether you're celebrating someone who is here, or remembering someone who isn't, this guide explains exactly how it works at Wanderlust Jewelry, so there are no surprises along the way.

Fingerprint and paw print jewellery, step by step

Choose your piece. Pick an engravable ring or piece and select fingerprint or paw print as the engraving type.
Send the print. Upload a photo with your order, or email it to us afterwards.
Approve your proof. We email you a proof showing how the print will sit on your piece. If something doesn't look right, tell us before you approve it.
We engrave. Only once you've approved the proof.
Delivery. Your piece is on its way, and we delete our copies of the print 30 days after delivery.

If this is a memorial piece and you need a little time before sending the print or approving the proof, just let us know.

What it costs and how long it takes

Fingerprint or paw print engraving: R1,500 per piece.
It adds 5 working days to the time your piece takes.
You'll receive a proof by email, and nothing is engraved until you approve it.

Choose an engravable piece from our engravable rings or other engravable jewellery, select fingerprint or paw print as the engraving type, and add it to your order.

Sending us the print

You can upload a photo of the print when you order, or email it to sales@wanderlust.jewelry after ordering. Take your time if you need it: we'll prepare the proof once we have the print.

How to take a good fingerprint

Use an ink pad or a washable marker on the fingertip.
Roll the finger once, gently, on clean white paper.
Photograph the print straight on, in daylight, so there are no shadows or angles.

Take a few prints and send us the clearest one.

A fingerprint ring for a loved one who has passed

If you're making a memorial piece, funeral homes can often take an ink print for you. It's worth asking them early. If you're unsure whether a print is clear enough, you're welcome to email it to us and ask.

Paw print jewellery: getting your pet's print

Use a pet-safe ink pad or washable paint, press the paw onto white paper, and wipe the paw clean afterwards.
A paw print in sand works too, photographed from directly above.
A nose print works too.

As with fingerprints, photograph the print straight on in daylight and send the clearest one.

How a fingerprint is engraved on a ring

A ring band is narrower than a fingertip, so we size the print to fit the band, and it is cropped at the edges. Your proof shows exactly how it will look before anything is engraved. On rings set with stones, the print is engraved inside the band, clear of the stones.

Your privacy

A fingerprint is biometric information, which South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) treats as personal information. So we ask for your consent, we use the print only to engrave your piece, and we delete our copies 30 days after delivery.

Returns on personalised pieces

Because your piece is made for you, personalised jewellery can't be returned unless it is faulty. That's why we send a proof first and engrave nothing until you're happy with it. See our returns policy.

Handwriting and drawings

Some people would rather keep a signature, a few words in a loved one's handwriting, or a child's drawing. We can engrave those too, at R1,200 per piece. See handwriting and drawing engraving. Words and symbols are priced in the engraving box as you type.

Questions before you order?

If you'd like to talk it through, email sales@wanderlust.jewelry or WhatsApp us on 068 613 6350. You can also schedule a video call with one of our consultants to see the exact piece before you buy. Full details are in our engraving guide.