Milk + Honey Jewelry FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is breast milk jewelry, really?
It’s sentimental magiv. You send us a small amount of breast milk (usually ~15 mL), we preserve, dry, powder, and mix it into resin to form a keepsake “stone.” Then we set it in a ring, necklace, earrings, or whatever design you choose. Every piece is uniquely yours — like a fingerprint.
How do you actually make it?
Glad you asked. We:
Preserve the milk.
Dry it.
Crush it into powder (yes, mortar & pestle, old-school).
Mix it with jeweler’s resin.
Cure it into a solid, beautiful “stone.”
Set it into your jewelry of choice.
Magic? Maybe. Chemistry? Definitely.
How do I place an order?
Just like regular shopping, but with some extra sentimental flair:
Pick your design, metal, size, colors, etc.
Add it to your cart.
At checkout, fill out the order form with your preferences.
After ordering, we’ll send you instructions for shipping your milk or other inclusions.
Heads up: because every piece is custom, the final result may look a little different than you imagine — that’s part of the handmade charm.
I have an idea (or a Pinterest post). Can I send that?
Yes! If you have a mood board, sketch, or a photo you like, note it in your order form (with a date or link). You can also reply to your order confirmation email with extra detail, photos, or a sketch. But — once your milk/inclusion is preserved, we can’t change the design, so send us your inspo fast.
How do I ship my milk / inclusions?
Don’t stress — we’ll email you simple, step-by-step instructions.
We request 15 mL.
It doesn’t need to be kept cold.
Label it properly.
Jewelry orders are processed in the order we receive the milk/inclusions, not the order you placed them.
(We do this to make sure your stuff stays tied to you every step of the way.)
How do I care for my jewelry?
Treat it like the treasure it is:
Remove before washing dishes, bathing, swimming, applying lotions, etc.
Store in a cool, dry place.
If tarnishing appears (especially on silver or gold-fill), use the polishing cloth or mild soap + soft brush.
Be gentle around the “milk stone”; it's delicate.
Sidenote: yes, we know it’s annoying to take off jewelry before washing hands dozens of times a day. If you want something more low-maintenance that you can wear daily, a necklace or earrings may be your best bet.
Do you offer free shipping?
U.S.: Yes — on orders over $200.
International: Flat $20 USD shipping. (Note: your country might charge import fees or taxes when you receive it.)
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! (Except EU / EEA countries, due to GPSR regulations.)
You’ll see the $20 international shipping in checkout. Also, customs & import duties may be charged when your parcel arrives — those are on you.
Can I include milk from more than one baby?
Yes, absolutely. You can:
Mix multiple milk batches together before sending, or
Send them separately and we’ll combine them in the piece.
If you want separate processing, there’s a $50 processing fee.
How long will I wait for my piece?
From the moment we receive your milk/inclusions:
Heirloom jewelry & rings: 12–15 weeks
Other keepsake jewelry: 6–12 weeks
Birthstone designs: 2–4 weeks
DIY kits: 1–5 business days
And sometimes (because we secretly like surprises), it ships faster than that.
If your order includes a DIY kit + something else, we try to ship the kit first.
How do I know what ring size to pick?
You’ll need to enter a ring size at checkout — no size = cancellation. The best bet: visit a local jeweler for sizing. If you must eyeball it, use a printable ring size PDF, ring guessing tool, or ring sizing app (at your own risk!). Handmade pieces may vary up to ¼ size. If between sizes, go larger rather than smaller (less painful that way).
Can your rings be resized?
Generally… no. Resizing requires heat, which could damage or melt the milk stone. If you choose to try resizing via a third-party jeweler, it's at your own risk.
What kinds of inclusions do you accept?
Options include:
Breast milk / formula
Lock of hair
Dehydrated placenta powder
Human cremation ashes
Animal ashes
Umbilical cord powder
Sand
Dried flowers
Fabric
And more — if you’ve got a weird request, email us and we’ll see if we can make it happen.
Will I definitely get my milk in the design?
Yes. We label and track every step. Every tool, every container, every piece has your name / order number so it’s foolproof. We’re moms too — we take that seriously.
Can I see the piece before it ships?
Nope, sorry. Every piece is custom and unpredictable in its final look — that’s part of the romance. Once your order is placed, we do our best with your instructions and send the final result when complete.
My milk is old. Does that matter?
Not really. If it’s been frozen for years, that’s fine. Moldy milk? That’s a problem (we’ll probably say no). When we receive your milk, we label it immediately and store it properly until we process it. If there is a problem with your milk when it arrives, we will contact you.
What’s the difference between solid gold, gold fill, and sterling silver?
Each metal has different properties, price points, and durability. For example: solid gold is “real deal,” gold-fill gives a plated look with more durability than standard plating, and sterling silver has its own shine and charm. Check our metal guide for full explanations.
Do you support people with nickel allergies?
Yes. Most of our metals are nickel-free, except for some 14K white gold, which may contain nickel. Always check the metal specs before ordering if you have sensitivities.
What happens to leftover milk once the jewelry is made?
If your piece was made after October 2019, we save your preserved milk forever. If you reorder later, you can opt to use what’s already on file — no need to send more. We cannot return the preserved portion. (Leftover non-milk inclusions (lock of hair, flowers, etc) are typically returned with your jewelry.)
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes, for certain parts:
Necklaces have a 60-day warranty for issues like broken chains or clasps.
For other issues, email us with photos — we’ll talk.
Can I cancel, get a refund, or change my order?
Once we receive your milk, we can’t cancel or refund.
Before that, you may cancel within 180 days (less a fee: $50 for most jewelry, $200 for heirloom per piece).
Changes are free within 24 hours. After that, a $50 / $200 fee per piece applies (depending on the piece).
Once your milk is preserved, no changes are possible.
Why does the jewelry sometimes have little air bubbles or imperfections?
Handmade work = human touch. We aim for perfection, but slight quirks can happen. Tiny air bubbles or surface texture are normal and part of the charm. If something really seems off, email us — we’ll see what we can do.
Do you have gift certificates?
Yes! You can gift someone the possibility of jewelry instead of the piece itself.
I forgot to apply my discount code...
We feel your pain. But codes must be entered at checkout. We can’t retroactively apply discounts (lest the internet explode).
I didn’t breastfeed — can I send formula instead?
Absolutely! We can preserve formula.
I don’t have any milk or formula. Can I still get something made?
Yes! You don’t need to send milk at all. We can make your jewelry with donor milk (we have some here at the jewelry studio), formula, or we can just make your stone resemble breastmilk with white pigment. Also, we can make jewelry with other inclusions (hair, ashes, flowers, sand, etc.). You pick.
Do you keep hair, sand, or flower inclusions on file?
Nope. We return those to you (unless stated otherwise). The only inclusion we store long-term is preserved milk/formula.
If I used shimmer, pigment, or “white pigment / pearl shimmer” on a past piece, does it carry over to my next one?
Nope, it doesn’t auto-carry. Pigments and shimmers are added per piece. If you want them again, please specify on your new order.
Is there a “returning customer” deal if you already have my milk preserved?
Yes! If you already have milk in our system, you may be eligible for special “loyalty” discounts during select sales. (Just a thank-you for being awesome.)
“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