Milk + Honey Jewelry FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 (15ml) 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 eastern Maryland, USA.
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 our 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!
I need help communicating my design idea!
If you’re struggling with a design idea — I totally get it! We recommend going simple, if you’re overthinking it. Classy and simple are never a bad choice! Our jewelry is beautiful and stands out on its own, without any extra “fluff”. You can always come back and choose a more “exciting'“ design for your next piece of jewelry :) If you want to refer to a specific social media post as inspiration for your design, please note the specific photo (date it was posted on social media) on your order form. If you’d like to send a photo or rough sketch of your design idea (after describing it in detail on your order form), please reply to your order confirmation email with that information! We cannot make any changes to the design of your jewelry after your milk has been preserved, so it’s important to send that email asap!
Shipping of breast milk, ashes, hair, and placenta: Who, what, when, where, why, and how?!
Not to fear! When you place an order, 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 15ml 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. READ DETAILED SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS HERE.
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 the polishing cloth we send to polish it out, or try mild soap and warm water with a toothbrush. In stubborn cases, we use a very small amount of this jewelry tarnish remover with a q-tip and are extra, extra, careful to avoid the stone! 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 have free shipping?
Orders over $100 inside the US have free shipping! International orders carry a 20USD charge.
Do you accept international orders?
Yes! We accept orders worldwide! Please note that we have a 20USD charge for international shipping, AND your country may charge you import fees and taxes when you accept an international piece of mail from the US! Check with your country’s postal service to be sure.
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. We have a $50 processing fee to process additional batches of milk separately to be placed in the same piece.
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, and all other jewelry can take up to 6-12 weeks from the time we receive your milk/inclusions. Birthstone jewelry ships in 2-4 weeks. DIY Kits ship in 1-5 business days. DIY kits will ship immediately, and the remainder of your order will ship when it is complete. All other 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 (due to the hard work of our awesome team), 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! If you’re not able to do that, this product can be purchased on Amazon, and this PDF can be printed at home to determine your ring size. 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 (particularly the honeycomb bands, which are thick), 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. We're breastfeeding moms 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 we 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, we unpackage it, immediately label it with your name and order #, and 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! 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. All of our silver pieces are 925 sterling silver and are made up of 92.5% silver and the remaining consists of mostly copper. Gold fill products are a thick layer of solid gold on top of an base layer of other metals (usually brass or copper). The layer is MUCH thicker than gold plated jewelry (like you’d find at Walmart). Gold fill is an affordable alternative to solid gold, and they look almost the same! Solid gold pieces are the highest quality metals you can buy and are priced based on the current gold market. They are the most expensive options, but are also the longest-lasting and most durable. Solid gold jewelry has no base layer of other metals (like gold fill), and is made entirely from one material (14K gold), which is why it is also the most expensive option.
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 save your preserved breast milk forever (if your piece was made after October 2019)! If you’d like to order again, you won't need to worry about shipping your milk to us! There is a place on the order form at checkout to note if you’d like us to use the milk we already have on file. We cannot send any preserved milk back to the customer.
Do you have a warranty?
Yes! All Milk + Honey necklaces have a 60 day warranty for chain or clasp defects. Please email us right away! For any other concerns, please email us and include photos! hello@milkandhoney.jewelry
Do you issue refunds? Can I cancel my order?
Orders are non-refundable once we receive your milk and/or inclusions in the mail. If you choose to cancel your order before sending your milk in AND within 180 days of purchase, we will refund all but $50 for most jewelry PER PIECE, and $200 for each heirloom piece. Jewelry orders are non-refundable after 180 days. Gift certificates are non-refundable. DIY Kits are non-refundable once fulfilled.
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, and $200 for heirloom jewelry PER PIECE. We cannot make changes to orders once your milk has been preserved.
How is your jewelry made?
Every piece of jewelry is hand crafted from beginning to end! Our heirloom pieces are cast by a father-son semi-local casting house and then hand-polished to finish by a local jewelry artist/mom. Our bezel cup pieces are hand crafted, custom, from beginning to end by a local jewelry artist/mom. The pieces that don’t fall into those categories are crafted by hand in our jewelry studio, by our breastmilk jewelry artists. 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!
I sent milk in 2020, do you still have it on file?
YES! We save all preserved breastmilk for future orders! We began this process in October 2019, so if you order after that date, we have your preserved milk on file! So go ahead and order the matching earrings to your ring! There’s a place to let us know that you would like to use the batch of milk we have on file during the checkout process when you place your order. At the time I am writing this blog, we have not had anyone use their entire bag of preserved milk, but if we ever do, we will email you to let you know that you’ve used all of your preserved milk on file.
Do you do custom orders?
We are no longer able to do custom orders—so sorry! You can customize the stone in your piece all you want (and we hope you do!), but we can only offer the jewelry in our collection on this website.
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.
I didn’t breastfeed, can I send in formula?
YES! We can preserve formula! If you do not have breastmilk because you didn’t save any or didn’t breastfeed, we can also preserve formula to use in all of our jewelry!
I don’t have any breastmilk or formula, but I love your work! Can I use another inclusion?
YES! You do not have to use any milk or formula! All of the jewelry in our collection can be made without it. We can use a variety of inclusions from a lock of hair, placenta powder, umbilical cord powder, cremation ashes, sand, flower petals, a small piece of fabric - the possibilities are endless!
I sent a lock of hair/flowers/sand with my first order. Do you still have it on file?
No. We send all leftover inclusions back to you with your completed order and do not save them on file. The only inclusion we save is your preserved milk.
I would like to use two batches of milk from two children in one piece of jewelry. Can I do that?
YES! You can use more than one batch of preserved milk in all of our jewelry. If you have more than one child, we can preserve the milk individually and combine some of the powder from each to complete your order. The milk is kept in separate bags and only a little of each is combined if you choose this option, so you still have the option to use each bag of milk individually down the road. (NOTE: there is an additional processing fee if you choose to send in more than one batch of milk for one piece of jewelry. Please see our FAQ or contact us for more information.)
I had white pigment/pearl shimmer added to my first order. Does that mean my next order must have white pigment/pearl shimmer?
NO. We do not add the white pigment (or pearl shimmer) to your entire batch of preserved milk. The white pigment (or any colored pigments, glitters, or flakes) is added to the milk mixture when we are crafting your jewelry. This means if you want white pigment added to your jewelry, you will need to specify which piece(s) you would like it added to and on every future order.
Is there a special sale for customers whose milk you already have on file?
YES! We offer Customer Loyalty Sales a few times a year if you are using the milk we already have on file! These Customer Loyalty Sales are the steepest discount you will find at Milk+Honey® Jewelry, and we are only able to offer them for select pieces in our collection and only able to use the preserved milk that we already have on file - meaning NO NEW BATCHES OF MILK. We LOVE our customers, so we want to offer them this special sale. You can read our “Love Letter to Our Customers” blog. These sales are a great time to add to your collection of breastmilk jewelry!
“My jewelry came out better than I could have imagined! Absolutely stunning and personal. The whole ordering experience was fantastic, the Milk + Honey team answered questions for me and provided so many inspirational pieces for the design on their social media. Communication, customer service, and the product all were above and beyond. I already ordered a second piece and will recommend them to anyone looking to create personalized and unique jewelry!” —Anna
“BEST DECISION EVER to buy a piece of jewelry from Milk and Honey. The process was so easy, deciding on the piece I wanted was the hardest thing. They’re so organized with emails going out to keep you updated on your order( from arrival of milk/hair/placenta etc to the shipping/delivery). I was extremely lucky to receive my piece very quickly, which I didn’t mind waiting at all for this amazing piece. Upon getting my necklace, I was in love. Our two boys also love the necklace and make sure to tell everyone that it’s mommy’s milk that fed them as babies until they were 2. Looking forward to ordering another piece with some hair for an amazing look and compliment my necklace. Y’all rock and are super awesome!!! Totally referring them and highly recommend this company.” —Brittany