What is Breastmilk & DNA Jewelry?

Such a good question! Even though breastmilk and DNA jewelry is not something very new, it is NEW to a lot of people. Simply put, breastmilk jewelry is jewelry made from YOUR breast milk. You give one or two teaspoons of your breast milk to an artist, who will preserve it so that it will not spoil and then turn it into a gorgeous gemstone. This gemstone can be set in a variety of jewelry settings, including gold, silver, or stainless steel. The same goes for DNA jewelry; you provide a piece of the DNA item you want to include in your jewelry piece. This can be encapsulated (already preserved) placenta, dried umbilical cord, a lock of hair, or even cremation ashes. And there you have it: “Breastmilk and DNA Jewelry.”

WHY Breastmilk and DNA Jewelry?

For those who are new to this concept and have just recently heard or read about it, you are probably wondering, WHY would you want this?

Well, for some, it is the perfect way to commemorate and preserve a special moment in their life. Think of a wedding, becoming a parent, an anniversary, etc. A moment they want to preserve and wear with great joy. A piece that you can hold in your hand or wear close to your heart, bringing you back to this special moment every time you look at it or feel it.

For others, it is a reminder of something they are very proud of, like a trophy. For example, a breastmilk jewelry piece. Breastfeeding can be very difficult for both mom and baby; it can be an intense, bumpy ride. But once you have made it through, there can be this intense feeling of pride. You were able to give your baby this gift that only you can give, and even though the road was so challenging, you still followed through! That is something worth celebrating! The perfect gift for a new mom is a unique piece of jewelry that reminds her of how proud she can be of herself.

And, of course, there are people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, whether that is a friend, family member, or fur baby. For them, DNA jewelry is a way to deal with their loss, to soften the pain and emptiness they feel. It means the world to them to be able to hold something close that once belonged to their loved one. It becomes one of the most treasured items they will ever own.

The Sentimental Value is Key

Breastmilk and DNA jewelry is so much more than just a piece of jewelry; it is unique and precious, with a story to tell. For some, that is a happy, proud story, while for others, it is a story of grief. What is the same is the deep sentimental value, a legacy piece, an heirloom piece of jewelry that is cherished forever.

How is Breastmilk and DNA Jewelry Made?

Now that I have explained what breastmilk and DNA jewelry actually is and, even more important, what the sentimental value is, the question arises: HOW is breastmilk and DNA jewelry actually made?

To answer this question, we will have to start at the beginning: the part where the sentimental value comes into play, the inclusions.

What is an Inclusion?

An inclusion is an item (or a piece of an item) that has special sentimental value. An item that contains the memory of what you want to immortalize and turn into a special and unique piece of jewelry. Whether this is breast milk, flowers from your wedding, preserved placenta, sand from a special place, a lock of hair, you name it! As long as it is completely dry, it can be used as an inclusion to your precious keepsake jewelry piece. Now you probably wonder, what about breast milk? That is definitely not dry. Very true. That is one of the reasons a professional breastmilk jewelry artist will dry the breast milk (or milk substitute) before using it as an inclusion, as part of their milk preservation process.

Once you know which item you want to have turned into a gemstone, you will have to send a relatively small piece of your precious inclusion to the breastmilk or DNA artist of choice. And that is when they will work their magic. Now let’s find out what this magic actually is!

How is Breast Milk Preserved?

Each artist has their own way of working, but many have a very similar way to mine. First, I very slowly heat around 5 ml (one teaspoon) of breast milk. Once this is warm, I add some breastmilk preserving powder to the breast milk and continue to heat this altogether. This heat is required for the necessary chemical reactions to occur and for the preserving powder to bond to the breast milk or milk substitute molecules. When it starts to thicken, I spread the paste on a piece of parchment paper and leave it to dry in my client’s specially appointed plastic container for about 24 - 48 hours. After it has had the chance to completely dry, it will be turned into a very fine dust.

Turning DNA into a Gemstone

All precious inclusions are incorporated into the final gemstone by embedding them into high-quality resin. In addition, if desired, a little shimmer or color can be added to your piece as well. The resin itself is transparent, so depending on your inclusion or the special moment or emotion you want to commemorate, it can be nice to add some color or shimmer to the mix.

Once your gemstone has hardened and your inclusion has been immortalized, your precious gemstone will be set in the jewelry piece of your choice. Depending on the artist, you can choose between silver or gold and a variety of pieces, from rings to pendants and earrings or even an ornament to brighten up your house.

Do It Yourself Breastmilk and DNA Jewelry

Do you want to experience how it is to make your very own breastmilk or DNA jewelry? You are in luck! We have created easy-to-use DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Kits that give you the chance to make your very own keepsakes from the comfort of your own home. All materials are of the highest quality and non-toxic, so safe to use at home. The Mama Milk Fairy DIY kits come with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and enough material to make several pieces, so you can even give your friends the gift of a lifetime. Check it out!

Prefer to have a professional make your precious jewelry piece? Have a look at all that is possible! Click here.

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