Breastmilk Necklace Kit

A necklace is, for many people, the piece they reach for most. It sits close to the heart, goes with everything, and can be worn day after day without a second thought. That makes a breastmilk necklace one of the loveliest keepsakes to make, and a kit brings together everything you need to make one at home.

Here is what is in a kit, how to choose your chain and pendant, and why a necklace is such a forgiving place to begin.

Why a necklace is the easiest keepsake to start with

If this is your first time making breastmilk jewellery, a necklace is a good place to begin, and for one simple reason: there is no sizing to worry about. A ring has to fit a particular finger, but a necklace suits everyone, which takes a whole layer of measuring and guesswork out of the process. It also makes a necklace the ideal choice if you are making a piece as a gift, since you do not need to know anyone's size to get it right. You can simply make something beautiful and know it will be worn.

What is in a breastmilk necklace kit

A good kit gathers the essentials so that everything is chosen to work together. You can expect a pendant setting or bezel to hold your finished stone, or a bead core if you are making a beaded pendant, a chain to hang it from, a mould in your chosen shape, UV resin, and some of the small tools you will need. From there you add your own milk, which is preserved first with a preservation powder. That powder is sometimes sold separately, so it is worth checking you have some before you begin.

Choosing your chain

One choice a necklace gives you that a ring does not is the length of the chain, which decides where your pendant will sit. On a certain size body, shorter chains, around 16 to 18 inches, rest higher on the collarbone, while longer chains of 20 inches and more let the pendant sit lower on the chest.

If you are making the necklace for someone else, it is worth a thought about how they usually wear their necklaces, or a glance at one they already own. Chains are sold separately and for a larger client, a longer chain is needed and vice versa.

Choosing your pendant style

Breastmilk necklaces come in a few lovely shapes. A cabochon pendant sets a smooth, domed stone into a bezel, simple and classic. A charm bead can be threaded onto a chain for something a little different. A teardrop or a heart adds a nice touch of character. And an orb suspends the milk in a clear sphere for a more contemporary look. Choosing the shape is part of the pleasure, and there is no wrong answer.

A quick word on making it

The way you make the stone itself is the same as for any breastmilk piece. Your milk is preserved, mixed with resin, set in a mould or bezel in thin layers, and cured under a UV lamp. If you would like the full method laid out step by step, our guide to making breastmilk jewellery walks through the whole process. Once your stone is cured, you simply set it into your pendant, or thread your finished bead, and hang it on your chosen chain.

A few tips for a necklace you will love

Mix and pour gently, and build any pour in thin layers, to keep your stone clear and free of bubbles. Give a moment's thought to chain length before you order, since it is the detail most people forget and the easiest to get right with a little planning. And if you are making necklaces to sell rather than for yourself, practise on spare or donated milk first, so your first customer piece is not the very first piece you have made.

Ready to begin

A breastmilk necklace is a keepsake you, or someone you love, can wear every day, close to the heart, and a kit makes it wonderfully achievable at home. Have a look at our breastmilk necklace kits and supplies to get started, and do ask if you would like a hand choosing your pendant and chain.