On 6 November, rapper Cardi B — whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar — welcomed her first baby with NFL superstar Stefon Diggs. Although this is the couple’s first child together, Cardi is already a mother of three children with her ex-husband Offset, while Diggs has two children from previous relationships. The birth quickly became a talking point online, but even that was overshadowed by what Cardi did next to commemorate the moment.

In a move that many people found both fascinating and startling, the rapper had her placenta and umbilical cord transformed into gold-coated jewellery. This unusual tribute was carried out by Mommy Made Encapsulation, a business that specialises in turning placentas into lasting keepsakes and has become increasingly popular among A-list celebrities.

The jeweller posted a graphic behind-the-scenes video on Instagram, giving fans a full look at how the transformation happens. The clip begins with the placenta resting in a dish labelled “Cardi B (Round 2)”, hinting that this is not her first time using the service — in fact, her one-year-old daughter Blossom also had her placenta turned into jewellery in 2024.

The couple welcomed their first baby together, earlier this month (Elsa/Getty Images)

Later in the video, the specialist uses a pair of pink gloves to handle the baby’s umbilical cord, which had been dyed blue. She cuts it open lengthwise and inserts a heart-shaped wire through the cord, shaping it into a symmetrical design. Extra pieces of tissue are snipped away so that the cord can be molded smoothly. The ends are pressed together, dehydrated, and flattened before the entire piece is coated in gold. The final result is a heart-shaped pendant intended for a statement necklace — a strikingly intimate memento of the birth.

The jeweller has to mould the cord around the wire first (Instagram/mommymadeencapsulation)

Mommy Made Encapsulation says it has created over 40,000 placenta-based keepsakes, with packages starting at around $500 (£380) and rising to nearly $1,000 (£760) with add-ons such as placenta prints. Other celebrities — including Megan Fox, Vanessa Hudgens and Chrissy Teigen — have previously used their services, making the practice something of a niche trend in Hollywood.

The company posted a heartfelt caption with the video, writing: “Where her journey started… turned into a keepsake she’ll treasure forever.” They described the umbilical cord as “the very first connection between a mother and her baby,” adding that creating such a piece “for Cardi and her sweet baby again means the world to us.”

Flattening the cord helps to cover it in gold as the final step (Instagram/mommymadeencapsulation)

Reaction online was predictably divided. Some viewers praised the sentimental meaning behind the jewellery, calling it a beautiful way to honour childbirth. Others admitted they were shocked by the graphic process, with comments ranging from amused disbelief to outright discomfort. But as always, Cardi B has shown she isn’t afraid of doing something distinctive — even if it leaves the internet talking for days.

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Sources: Page Six, The Sun, News.com.au