FAQs

Please read through our FAQs to find the answers to our most commonly asked questions.

If you have any further questions or require any assistance placing your order, please feel free to email us and we will get back to you ASAP. Please note, during busy periods this may take a few days.

 

What are these keepsakes made from?

We take your treasured DNA elements and set them in high quality jewellery grade resin. These cabochon's are set in either steel, plated silver or gold, solid sterling silver or gold filled jewellery mountings.  While these pieces of jewellery are very durable, we do have a set of care instructions we send out with each special piece. These care instructions will help you keep your treasures looking their best for as long as possible.

 

Can I wear these items every day?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is also yes, however you will need to follow the care instructions in order to keep your jewellery in good shape. Resin is robust and durable, but it can react to lots of direct sunlight or exposure to water and chemicals.  The nature of sterling silver and gold makes these pieces much more durable than plated jewellery. As such we recommend choosing a sterling silver or gold mounting for your item if you wish to wear it every day.

How long do orders take?

Our turnaround time is usually 8 - 12 weeks from receiving your inclusions. We will advise you of our current turnaround times when you make an enquiry or place an order. Some pieces do take longer than others due to the design or materials being used, we will always keep you updated if there are any unexpected delays.

 

Can I order in time for someone’s birthday/wedding?

Yes, but please always confirm with us before you place an order. If the timeline is too tight to deliver for your special occasion you may want to consider buying a gift card for the recipient instead.

 

How should I send my DNA inclusions to you?

When you place your order we will send you full instructions for sending your elements to us. Rest assured, there is nothing complicated required to send your elements to us but there are instructions we require our customers to follow in order to adhere to our strict procedure for keeping elements separate. There is always a risk of items getting lost in the post so please only ever send a portion of your elements (e.g. 1/4 teaspoon of ashes or half a lock of hair) and keep the remaining amount with you. Please send your elements via a tracked postal service or courier where possible. We always recommend a courier service when sending cremation ashes.

 

How much hair/ashes/breastmilk etc do you need to create the jewellery?

Each item requires a different amount, we send out full instructions when you place an order with us and you can find a rough guide below.

Hair - a small lock approximately 3cm in length

Ashes - 1/4 teaspoon (large pinch)

Pet fur - a small lock approximately 3cm in length

Breastmilk - 30ml

Flowers - 5 petals or one flower head

Sand - 1/4-1/2 teaspoon (large pinch)

Fabric - 3cm x 3cm

Umbilical Cord - the whole stump or you can cut off a small piece

Placenta - 1 pill of encapsulated placenta otherwise we can send instructions for dehydrating a small piece of placenta

**** Never send us the whole amount in case it gets lost in the post or we need you to send more. ****

 

What kind of postal service should I use?

We recommend using a tracked postal service or courier service, especially if you are sending cremation ashes. Please only ever send a small amount of your DNA element, never send us the whole amount in case it gets lost in the post or we need you to send more. 

We cannot be held responsible for any losses occurring during transit, either to or from us.

Please always ensure your parcel is packaged and labelled as directed in our mailing instructions.

Can I visit your studio?

We can no longer take appointments at the studio, this is for many reasons but mainly because of time pressures and health and safety reasons. Work cannot be undertaken on any keepsakes for many hours in the lead up to a customer visit, this it to ensure there are no resin or other chemical processing fumes in the air during a visit.

Sadly, when we did allow bookings we found that 90% of bookings were cancelled last minute, no shows or very late. We found that we cannot create your precious keepsakes within our stated turn-around times if we allow customer appointments. We are happy to make phone appointments where we can answer any of your questions. We are also available via email and Facebook messenger.

 

I don't live in New Zealand, can I still place an order from UK/USA/Europe/Asia...?

Yes you can. We offer our DNA jewellery making services worldwide. Once you place an order with us we will send you full instructions for sending your elements to us.

 

Who Pays For Customs Fees?

When a package ships internationally (outside of New Zealand), it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed (e.g. handling fees) by the destination country. These charges are typically due once the package arrives in the destination country.

The buyer is responsible for paying the additional costs such as duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. These charges can vary widely and are often based on the price and type of item, package weight and dimensions, origin country, and the taxes, duties, and fees of the destination country.

We cannot predict which of these fees, if any, will be applied, and we cannot calculate or collect these fees or taxes when you place an order.

We are not responsible for any additional charges that may apply after a purchase is completed on www.iddybiddybuddah.com.

 

How do I pay customs fees?

If your package is subject to customs fees, your package may be held at your local customs office. Contact your local customs office to find out your next steps as you may need to pay additional charges.

 

Where should I send my inclusions?

Our studio is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Once you have placed your order we will send you an email with full postal instructions with our postal address.

 

Do your beads fit Pandora bracelets?

Yes, our beads are large hole European style beads with an internal opening of approximately 4.5mm in diameter. They fit most of the popular charm bracelets that accommodate large hole beads.

 

 Pet memorial pendant using pet fur