Breastfeeding can be a challenge, with all the middle of the night feedings and navigating nursing in public, but it’s also a special bonding time for mama and baby. Some moms want to commemorate that experience and they’re getting breastmilk jewelry as a memento.
Breastmilk jewelry not brand new, but it is a growing trend and it’s basically just having breastmilk turned into jewelry. They take about an ounce of it and put it through a process of extreme heating and cooling, using a chemical to keep it preserved. When it’s complete, it creates a solidified clump that can be worked into a “stone” that looks similar to an opal - the iridescent, creamy-white gem - and used in a necklace, earrings, and rings.
When the preservation is done correctly, it shouldn’t have a smell, but if it’s not done right, there’s a risk of bacterial growth, discoloration, and rotting. So it’s definitely not a DIY project to try at home. It’s not for everyone, but lots of companies make it now, so if you’re into it, you’ve got options.