There’s a trend that is sweeping the nation – what is DNA jewellery? And why do so many of us want to keep certain things so close to our chest? PERSONAL TOUCH
Afingerprint, a lock of hair, a loved one’s initials – what do all of these sentimental things have in common? They are all items that can be preserved in an item of jewellery to keep a memento or memory close to you, forever.
With many new parents wanting to have a snippet of their baby’s first curl or even some of us wearing a locket with a picture of a loved one inside, keepsake jewellery is actually something that has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Just like looking through a picture album, it’s a sentimental idea that means that an element of nostalgia, love or loss can be taken with you everywhere.
And as lovely as the token may be, it seems there is a new trend looming on the horizon – DNA jewellery – which takes this idea to a new level…
Only, what exactly is this latest phenomenon?
‘DNA jewellery serves as a keepsake or memento of a memorable time or relationship. It can include breast milk jewellery, which is our specialty,’ says Anna Thachuk, founder of Keepsakemom Breastmilk Jewelry.
Yes, you read that right – breast
Breast milk jewellery can help you to celebrate your journey
milk jewellery.
‘Breast milk jewellery allows nursing mothers to celebrate their breastfeeding journey, serving as a memento of the determination and hard work that breastfeeding requires – representing the emotional closeness and bonding that breastfeeding nurtures between a mother and child,’ Anna continues.
Which certainly raises a few eyebrows, that’s for sure – but just like you would consider a baby’s first hair or the loss of their first tooth, it can be a triumphant success for some new parents.
Only, the idea of it is certainly something that raises a few questions – and might make you feel a bit squeamish.
But why is this type of jewellery trending?
‘It’s in the limelight because it’s interesting,’ says Anna. ‘When we tell people that we make breast milk jewellery, they typically react in one of two ways – they either love it or they think that it is strange, we get that.
‘But for the many who do appreciate the sentiment behind it, it can be an enduring reminder of a beautiful, all-too-fleeting experience. And due to our meticulous process, it is as hygienic and worry-free as any other piece of jewellery.’
So, how exactly does the process
work – and how is a liquid stored in stone to make it look like any other piece of jewellery?
‘Making breast milk into jewellery is a blend of artistry and technique – it’s been a process of trial and error,’ Anna explains. ‘Through a curing process, we preserve each mother’s breast milk as powder, and then mix it with a clear acrylic resin that we shape into customised stones using special silicone moulds.
‘From there, we place the stones into whatever setting the customer has chosen in order to make a completely personalised piece of jewellery to be treasured.
‘We can even incorporate additional elements to customise the piece even further – including colours, metallic flakes, names or handprints and even special powders to make the stones look like pearls or opals.
‘The possibilities are truly beyond what I ever could have imagined when I first started out with this.’
However, that is something that Anna knows too well – and just like the endless combinations of breast milk jewellery, there are other DNA sentiments that customers have asked for, too – some that can be even more questionable, that’s for sure.
‘We’ve added ashes to our jewellery since inception, but only recently have we started to add dried placenta and umbilical cord jewellery options,’ Anna continues. Only, that’s not all…
‘As far as special requests go, we’ve had a few mothers ask us to include their baby’s first teeth in their breast milk stones and one mother even asked us whether we could crush the teeth of her recently passed dog to include in her baby’s breast milk stone, too,’ Anna adds.
It seems that some customers would like to treasure both the weird and wonderful – which certainly isn’t going to be for everyone, that’s for sure.
Canadian jewellery maker Amanda Booth has been in the spotlight for turning her small business into a booming success.
Swapping breast milk for semen, her brand Jizzy Jewellery was created in August 2022.
She took her husband’s sample as a trial – before receiving strangers’ sperm through the post –
You can even make jewellery from placenta, teeth and semen!
and now, she has a six-figure booming business making necklaces, rings, bracelets and keyrings with male and female samples stuck inside.
Which is definitely the next step up from breast milk – it seems that bodily fluids actually hold a huge value to millions of people.
Only, the sentiment is definitely there – and it seems that many of us like to hold certain memories closer than others.
Even if it could mean that you may have a few strange looks if someone asks about where you got your dazzling pearlescent ring or necklace from...
What would you choose to preserve forever?