DNA jewelry creates one-of-a-kind keepsakes

Having a baby is filled with exciting “firsts” — giving birth, breastfeeding, getting baby a haircut — the list goes on. But what do you do with the leftover “mementos” like placenta, extra breastmilk and baby’s first curl?

The answer, for some, is to preserve it in a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.

Far from working with just diamonds and pearls, today’s jewelry designers can cast breastmilk, placenta and locks of hair into a ring, necklace, bead or even cufflinks for the guys.

It’s an interesting and much more visible alternative to taping those precious curls into the rarely-opened baby book or throwing out the last of your hard-earned breastmilk.

Kelly Howland, founder of Sacred Legacy Arts, began her company in 2014 because she wanted to offer tiny, wearable “time capsules” of special items people often tuck in a memento box and stick in the back of a drawer. She’s working to transform the way mainstream society views these “keepsakes” that, while a little gross to some, are important parts of life.

Curious? Admit it. You are. If you want to buy a piece of DNA jewelry (that’s the technical name), you can head over to a site like Etsy and choose from lots of independent designers, or you could use a larger company like Sacred Legacy Arts or Beyond the Willow Tree.

The designer or company will have you mail in your “inclusion” of choice: breastmilk, dehydrated placenta, umbilical stump, etc.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPYtOaTgcj4/?taken-by=sacredlegacyarts

Breastmilk will normally have to be liquid (not frozen) and double or triple-bagged, while dry items like hair and umbilical stumps can be sent as-is. And no worries if your milk supply is low — most designers can create a piece with as little as a tablespoon of milk.

Lots of jewelry designers let you customize your piece by adding different colored shimmer and dyes, so no two pieces will be exactly alike.

I first discovered this jewelry after a visit to my parents’ house in Alabama a few months ago, when I found several bags of frozen (months-expired) breast milk in their freezer. My mom asked me if she could throw it out, and something about throwing away something that was so hard to obtain just made me shudder. Moms who have winced, cried and prayed through those tentative first few weeks of breastfeeding get where I’m coming from.

So I googled “what to do with extra expired breast milk” and discovered DNA jewelry. I loved the idea of commemorating a time that was so special — but so tough at times — with a piece of one-of-a-kind bling. Looks like I’m not alone. Visit any DNA jeweler’s site and their designs are always sold out, wait-listed and generally in high demand.

If you love the idea but want to be discrete, many designs look no different than a traditional piece of jewelry — no need for everyone to know the stone on your finger is your baby’s placenta rather than a dark opal.

And the trend isn’t just for parents. Many people seek out these jewelry designers to preserve ashes from a family member or pet, flowers from their wedding day, soil from their childhood backyard and more.

Since the pieces are custom, they can come with a hefty price tag. But most companies and designers offer jewelry at a range of price points. Australian-based Beyond the Willow Tree’s pieces range from a $56 bracelet bead to a $400 solid 14K gold and diamond ring with a breastmilk center stone.

DNA jewelry may not be for everyone, but for those who are looking for a unique way to commemorate a special time in life, it may be worth a look.

Photo: Sacred Legacy Arts

This story was originally published January 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM with the headline "DNA jewelry creates one-of-a-kind keepsakes."