Breast Milk Jewelry FAQ
What is breast milk jewelry?
Breast milk jewelry is a beautiful and tangible way to cherish your breastfeeding journey with your baby. We use a small amount of your breast milk (5ml) and preserve it into a stone to be added to our simple and gorgeous jewelry designs. All of our pieces are custom made with your milk (or other inclusions) and hand crafted at our studio in south Florida.
How is it made?
We preserve your milk, dry it, hand-crush it into a powder using a mortar and pestle, and then mix it with jeweler’s resin to be set and cured into stones!
How do I order?
Right on our website! Head back to the home page and add the piece(s) you love to your cart. The website will prompt you to fill out an order form at checkout, where you’ll choose the metal type, the colors, the design, your ring size, etc.! Be as specific as you’d like on the order form. It is really important to note that your jewelry WILL be unique to you. Your milk/inclusions are unique to you, and artistry isn’t an exact science, so someone else’s gold ring with milk and pearl shimmer may look very different than your gold ring with milk and pearl shimmer. It’s all part of the handmade charm, and we hope you’ll embrace it!
Shipping of breast milk, ashes, hair, and placenta: Who, what, when, where, why, and how?!
At checkout you will have the option to purchase a shipping kit for an additional $40, this kit will include all shipping fees and materials for sending the ashes ,breastmilk and any other inclusions you wish to send to me, as well as a plastic ring seizer.
If you do not purchase the shipping kit here are some guidelines to follow:
Milk needs to be triple bagged using two breastmilk storage bags,5 ML is needed for each piece. Breastmilk storage bags are very sterile therefore your milk is less likely to mold. Please release as much air as you can from each bag. IF MORE THAN 30 mL (1 OZ) OF MILK IS SENT IN, IT WILL BE DISCARDED AND I WILL EMAIL YOU. DO NOT SEND IN MORE THAN ONE OUNCE. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Every inclusion; hair, umbilical cord, flowers, placenta, ashes need to also be labeled with last name and order number, they do get separated from the milk for periods of time.
INCLUSIONS DO COST EXTRA PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ORDER IS CORRECTLY PLACED BEFORE SHIPPING.
DO NOT SHIP MILK IF IT IS FROZEN, PLEASE THAW IT OUT FIRST.
*Do not ship the last of anything. I am human, accidents happen. If it is super important and the last of something do not send it in.
* I Recommended: USPS first class parcel. Please note; if it is in a bubble mailer (recommended) it is a parcel and not a large envelope. If marked incorrectly there will be delays in shipping due to postage shortage. First class parcel has included tracking information for you it is the best way to go! No need to overnight or expedite it to me!
*Do not send as certified mail requiring a signature.
Write your name and order number on every bag!
once your order is placed, you'll be sent an email with detailed and simple instructions for labeling and shipping your milk and/or other inclusions to us. We cannot accept milk/inclusions until you’ve placed an order. We request 5ml of breast milk and it does NOT need to be kept cold. It is simple and easy to ship, just as any other package. We process jewelry in the order that we receive the milk and/or other inclusions, NOT when your order was placed.
How do I care for my jewelry?
Take really good care of your jewelry to extend its life! We send a detailed care instruction card with each order. It’s pretty simple. Remove jewelry before: sun bathing, washing your hands, doing dishes, working out, showering or swimming, or applying any soaps/lotions/chemicals. Store in a cool, dry place. We DO understand that it’s completely inconvenient to remove a ring before hand washing and dishes many times per day. If you want a piece that you can wear daily, it might be best to order a necklace or earrings for that reason. If you notice tarnish or discoloration on your jewelry (this can happen with silver and gold fill jewelry and is normal), you can use a polishing cloth, or try mild soap and warm water with a toothbrush. In stubborn cases, we use a very small amount of DIY tarnish remover with a q-tip and are extra, extra, careful to avoid the stone! You can google “diy jewelry tarnish remover” or “diy jewelry cleaner”. Please note that the care instructions are primarily to extend the life and integrity of the milk stone, because it is made with milk and jeweler’s resin. If you purchase solid gold jewelry, it still needs to be cared for in the same way to preserve the integrity of your keepsake stone
Do you accept international orders?
Not at this time.
Can I put milk from more than one baby in one piece?
Yes! You can mix the milk from more than one baby and then send it in, OR you can send the batches of milk to be processed separately.
How long can I expect to wait for my jewelry to be shipped to me?
Orders that contain heirloom jewelry and rings can take up to 12-15 weeks from the time we receive your milk/inclusions. All orders will ship when the entire order is complete. It is very possible, and even likely (!) that you will receive your jewelry long before those timelines :) This ensures that we will have time to process milk, receive any custom pieces or components that we need to complete your order, and craft your piece. While we work as diligently and hard as we possibly can to get your orders out on time, it’s possible that things beyond our control may necessitate your order being delivered to you later than we anticipated. This is rare, but it should be noted, because sometimes things are outside of our control. If that happens, it’s usually that we are waiting for your custom jewelry to arrive from one of our manufacturers/casters/polishers. We fill customer orders in the order that we receive the milk/inclusions.
How do I know what size ring to purchase?
You MUST enter a ring size when you order. If no ring size is indicated on an order form, your order will be canceled. The best way to get the most accurate size for your finger is to go to a local jewelry store and ask a professional jeweler to help you get sized! A ring sizer also comes in our kit. Although, please note that sizing at home is at your own risk—it can be unreliable. It is important to note that ring sizes can vary up to a quarter size above or below. The discrepancy is minor, but it should be noted. Not all sizing is universal (surprisingly!), and many of our rings are handmade, so there is a bit of wiggle room. Please be aware of this before purchasing! If you’re in-between sizes, sizing up is usually safer than sizing down. Please note that any time you stack rings, they may feel more snug on your finger, especially if you’re stacking many of them. Head to a jeweler to get sized, and ask for their recommendation for sizing. You may need to size up a bit.
Can your rings be resized?
Generally, we say no. The process to resize a ring includes heating the ring, which could heat the stone and compromise its integrity (it could melt out-yikes!). So, it’s very important to get the most accurate ring size possible. If you choose to have a jeweler try to resize your ring, it is at your own risk!
What inclusions can you add to your pieces?
In general, we can accommodate breast milk, lock of hair, dehydrated placenta powder, human cremation ashes, animal cremation ashes, umbilical cord powder, sand, fabric, and dried flowers. Check with each piece to see if your inclusion is available for that item. If you have a request for an inclusion that isn't listed, email us and we will try to work it out!
How do I know I'll get my own milk back in my design?
If there's one thing we care about, it's YOU. We have created systems to guarantee that you always receive your jewelry with your milk. Every step and tool in the gem-crafting process has a label. And every piece of jewelry has a label. I was a breastfeeding mom too! And as the saying goes, treat others as you want to be treated. We respect you and are eternally grateful for your order and your support. So we're doing everything we can to bring you the best product with the best service, with the highest level of integrity.
Can I see my order before it’s shipped to me?
We are not able to do that—every piece of jewelry is so unique and different, and everyone’s milk and inclusions are totally unique to them! It’s very difficult for us to predict how a piece will turn out, so when you order, you are under the assumption that we will do our very best and will send you a piece of jewelry completely unique and specific to you! You may be as specific as you’d like on your order form, or you can give our team creativity to design how they want with a little direction from you! We cannot guarantee how a piece of jewelry will turn out, and we cannot remake jewelry at no cost if we followed your instructions to the best of our ability! Artistry is not an exact science, and I think that’s beautiful.
I only have old milk! Can I still get jewelry made?
Yes! Since your milk will not be consumed, it's okay! If it's been in the freezer for years, it's no big deal. If it was in a bottle or refrigerator too long, it's fine. If your milk is moldy, it’s a no-go. But other than that, you’re safe! When we receive your milk, I un package it and it is immediately put it into a fridge/freezer until it’s processed.
What is the difference between solid gold, gold fill, and sterling silver?
We offer pieces in a variety of metals and price points! Depending on the item, it may be available in sterling silver, 14K yellow gold fill, 14K rose gold fill, 14K solid yellow gold, 14K solid rose gold, or 14K solid white gold.
I have a nickel allergy! What can I order?
Typically, 14K white gold has nickel content. All of our other metals do not have nickel added.
What happens to the leftover milk after the jewelry is made?
We will send any remaining preserved milk back to the customer with their order.
Do you issue refunds? Can I cancel my order?
Orders are non-refundable once we receive your milk and/or inclusions in the mail. Gift certificates are non-refundable.
Can I make a change to my order once my order is placed?
We can only accommodate order changes for no fee up to 24 hours after the order is placed. If a change needs to take place after 24 hours, there is a $50 fee for most jewelry PER PIECE, I cannot make changes to orders once I have mixed the piece in the resin.
How is your jewelry made?
Every piece of jewelry is hand crafted from beginning to end! Every breastmilk stone is crafted in our jewelry studio, by our amazing team. Since everything is done by hand, we embrace handmade charm, and not every piece of jewelry is completely flawless. Minor imperfections are rare, but possible. The process to create the breastmilk stones uses jeweler’s resin, which can sometimes yield small air bubbles.
Do you have gift certificates?
Yes! Your loved ones can purchase a gift certificate for you in our "shop" page. It's a fantastic baby shower gift for someone who is planning to breastfeed, or a great Christmas/Mother’s Day/birthday present!
Can I purchase just one earring?
No, all earrings are sold as pairs. If you misplace or lose one earring, you’ll have to reorder the pair.
I forgot to apply my discount code!
So sorry! Discount codes must be applied at checkout. Discounts cannot be honored after an order has been placed.
