Ordering Process
Thank you for considering MilkyWay to create something so deeply personal for you 🤍
We understand that choosing to send something as precious as breastmilk, or the ashes of someone you love can feel like a big step. We want you to feel completely informed and reassured before placing your order, so this page explains exactly what to expect from the moment you choose your keepsake to the moment it is returned to you.
1. Choose and order your keepsake
Once you have chosen and purchased your keepsake(s), we will prepare and post your MilkyWay Inclusion Kit.
Please allow up to 7 working days for your kit to arrive.
There is no need to send anything to us before your kit arrives. Everything you need to safely prepare and return your inclusion will be provided inside.
2. Your MilkyWay Inclusion Kit arrives
Depending on your order, your kit will include:
• A labelled 5ml sample pot, or a 10ml pot for pebbles and statue casts
• A small sealed bag for dry inclusions
• An order form to complete
• A ring sizer, if required
• A return envelope and prepaid postage label for UK orders
• A return address label for international orders
Please read the instructions below carefully before preparing your inclusion.
3. Prepare your inclusion
Breastmilk
Please fill the labelled sample pot to the 5ml line for jewellery keepsakes. For pebbles and statue casts, 10ml of breastmilk is required.
Frozen breastmilk is absolutely fine to use and there is no age limit, providing it has remained frozen. Please fully thaw your milk before placing it inside the sample pot.
Colostrum can also be used. Breastmilk naturally comes in a beautiful array of shades and colours, and the preservative used during our specialist process may lighten the natural colour of your milk slightly. If you are concerned about yellow tones remaining within your finished stone, we can add a small amount of white pigment with your permission. Simply make a note of this on your order form.
We understand that every drop can be precious. If you are unable to provide the recommended amount, please contact us before sending your kit as we may still be able to help.
Please ensure the lid is securely tightened before returning.
Memorial and pet ashes
Please place one small spoonful of ashes inside the labelled sample pot.
We only use a very small amount to create your keepsake. Any remaining ashes will be carefully returned to you with your completed order.
Umbilical cord
You can either send the entire umbilical cord attached to its clip or peg, or, if you would prefer, carefully cut off a small pea-sized amount to send to us.
Either option is absolutely fine. Anything unused will be carefully returned to you with your completed keepsake.
Hair and fur
A small pinch of hair or fur is enough to create one keepsake. We understand that lengths will naturally differ, but as a general guide, we recommend sending strands approximately 2–4cm in length.
White and very light grey hair or fur can sometimes lose visibility once encapsulated within the stone. Where possible, we recommend sending a mixture of tones to help the inclusion remain more visible within your finished keepsake.
If you are ordering multiple keepsakes using the same hair or fur, please send a little extra where possible.
Other dry inclusions
Please place your inclusion inside the small sealed bag provided.
If needed, you may instead create a small rectangular parcel using foil. Please clearly label this with your full name and postcode.
You do not need to send large amounts. If you are unsure how much to provide, please contact us before posting something precious or irreplaceable.
Inclusions we can preserve
•Breastmilk
•Dried Placenta
•Dried Umbilical Cord
•Baby Teeth
•Locks of Hair & Fur
•Pregnancy Test Caps
•Memorial Ashes
•Pet Ashes
•Graveside Soil
•Dried Flowers & Petals
•Sand
•Fabric
If you have something meaningful that is not listed above, please contact us before ordering. We are always happy to discuss whether it can be safely incorporated into a keepsake.
4. Complete your order form
Please complete the order form included inside your kit and return it with your inclusion(s).
If you have ordered multiple keepsakes, you can list them all on one form. Please clearly specify the chosen finish and ring size, where applicable, for each individual keepsake.
There is also a notes section for any specific requests or instructions, such as how visible you would like your inclusion to be or a preferred placement within your keepsake.
Please ensure the address written on your order form matches the shipping address provided when placing your order. Writing a new or different address on your order form will not update the shipping address attached to your order.
If your address changes after ordering, please contact us by email so we can update your order details before dispatch.
Please take a moment to check that all details are correct before returning your package.
5. Find your ring size
If your order requires a ring size, a ring sizer will be included inside your kit.
Adjust the sizer until it feels comfortable and secure on your chosen finger. It should slide back over your knuckle without needing to change or loosen the size.
Our rings are ordered using US numerical sizes, so we recommend choosing the number that feels most comfortable on the MilkyWay ring sizer rather than relying solely on a previous UK ring size or conversion chart.
Full and half sizes are available for most designs.
Please choose carefully, as due to the extremely personal nature of each keepsake, rings cannot be exchanged once your size has been confirmed. Some designs may also be unable to be resized once created.
6. Return your inclusion to MilkyWay
UK customers
Your kit includes a prepaid return postage label for your convenience.
If your inclusion is precious or cannot be replaced, such as memorial ashes, a lock of hair or umbilical cord, we strongly recommend upgrading your return postage to a tracked service for additional peace of mind.
Please keep any proof of postage or tracking information until you have received confirmation that your inclusion has safely arrived with us.
International customers
International Inclusion Kits do not include prepaid return postage, as available postal services vary between countries.
Please use the return address label provided and choose a suitable international postal service. We strongly recommend using a tracked service, particularly when sending precious or irreplaceable inclusions.
7. Your inclusion arrives with us
Once your inclusion has safely arrived, we will notify you by email the same day.
For breastmilk keepsakes, we will begin our specialist preservation process while preparing your chosen jewellery setting.
Your inclusion will then be carefully incorporated into your keepsake using your chosen finish and encapsulated within a high-grade jeweller’s resin to create your completely unique stone(s).
If you decide to change the finish you originally selected online when completing your order form, your new choice will be reflected in your final keepsake.
Every keepsake is individually created by hand, meaning no two pieces will ever be exactly the same.
8. Your keepsake is created
Our current estimated turnaround begins from the date your inclusion is received by us, rather than the date your original order was placed.
We aim to dispatch completed orders approximately 6 weeks after receiving your inclusion(s). Turnaround times may vary during particularly busy periods and around UK holidays.
Please check our website for our current estimated turnaround times.
Once your keepsake is complete, it will be carefully packaged and returned to you using a tracked delivery service. Your tracking details will be sent to you by email upon dispatch.
Leftover inclusions
We understand just how precious your inclusions are. Any unused inclusions will be carefully returned to you with your completed keepsake.
Need a little help?
If you have any questions, a specific request or simply need reassurance before ordering or sending your inclusion, please get in touch.
Custom designs are also available. If you don’t see the design you have in mind, please ask. We may be able to source alternative settings or provide examples of other designs that could bring your vision to life.
For further information or answers to any other questions you may have, please visit our FAQ page or contact us.
We are always happy to help ✨️