In a move that’s got the internet buzzing and stomachs turning, Cardi B has once again redefined celebrity eccentricity by transforming her newborn son’s umbilical cord into a gleaming gold-plated heart pendant. The 33-year-old rap superstar, fresh off welcoming her fourth child with NFL star Stefon Diggs on November 4, 2025, didn’t settle for ordinary baby mementos. Instead, she commissioned a custom piece that’s equal parts sentimental and squirm-inducing, sparking a firestorm of reactions from fans who can’t decide if it’s genius or just plain gross.

The accessory in question? A heart-shaped locket crafted from the very lifeline that connected Cardi to her baby boy during pregnancy. Dehydrated, shaped, and dipped in gold chrome, it now dangles as a wearable reminder of their bond. But what’s the real cost of this bizarre bling, and what’s the story behind turning birth tissue into high-end jewelry? Let’s dive into the details of this wild postpartum trend that’s got everyone talking.

Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus, has never shied away from bold statements. From her chart-topping hits like “WAP” and “Bodak Yellow” to her unfiltered social media rants, the Bronx native thrives on controversy. Her latest stunt, however, hits closer to home—literally. Just weeks after going public with her romance with Diggs, the New England Patriots wide receiver, Cardi shared glimpses of their bundle of joy on Instagram, complete with a teddy bear emoji and the date “11/4.” But it was the behind-the-scenes reveal from her encapsulation specialist that stole the show.

Juliane Marie Corona, owner of Mommy Made Encapsulations, spilled the tea on Instagram on November 20, posting a step-by-step video of the creation process. “Where her journey started… turned into a keepsake she’ll treasure forever,” Corona captioned the clip, which has racked up millions of views. In the footage, the umbilical cord—snipped by Diggs himself during the delivery—is meticulously wrapped around a heart-shaped coil using gold scissors. The ends are pressed flat, then the whole thing is dehydrated for preservation before getting its luxurious gold chrome bath. The end result? A pendant that looks like any other trendy heart necklace, but with a deeply personal (and slightly macabre) origin story.

This isn’t Cardi’s first rodeo with encapsulation services. The Grammy winner has been a repeat customer at Mommy Made, having used their expertise after the birth of her third child in 2024. Back then, she opted for placenta prints and capsules—trendy postpartum perks believed to boost energy and mood by reintroducing nutrients from the organ. This time around, she leveled up with the umbilical add-on, bundling it into a full package that includes the pendant, a “Tree of Life” placenta artwork, and those ingestible pills. Fans spotted the continuity in Corona’s post, where she gushed, “Round two with the queen herself. Thank you, Cardi, for trusting me again with your magical placenta magic.”

So, how much does it cost to immortalize your baby’s cord in gold? According to Mommy Made’s website, the umbilical keepsake alone runs $65, with the full placenta encapsulation service clocking in at $500 and a print adding another $50. That brings the grand total for Cardi’s custom combo to around $615—pocket change for a woman whose net worth hovers in the tens of millions. But headlines have inflated the price tag, with outlets like the Daily Mail pegging it at a cool $1,000, perhaps factoring in the celeb markup or expedited service. Either way, it’s a far cry from the diamond-encrusted chains Cardi usually rocks on stage, but no less flashy in its own right.

The secret sauce behind this “unique” accessory lies in the growing world of placenta and cord encapsulation—a niche but increasingly popular practice rooted in traditional medicine and modern wellness culture. Proponents swear by it for everything from hormonal balance to emotional healing post-birth. The umbilical cord, that rubbery tube about 20 inches long and packed with two arteries and a vein, served as the baby’s sole nutrient highway for nine months. Dehydrating and gold-plating it isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a symbolic nod to that unbreakable maternal tether.

Corona’s process is equal parts artistry and science. After the cord is cleaned and trimmed, it’s molded into shapes like hearts, stars, or even custom initials—though Cardi stuck with the classic romantic vibe. The dehydration ensures it lasts a lifetime without decay, and the gold chrome dip gives it that metallic sheen, making it indistinguishable from store-bought jewelry at a glance. “The end result looks and feels like metal and is the perfect way to honor the first connection you shared with your baby,” the company’s site boasts. For celebs like Cardi, who juggle spotlight scrutiny with family life, it’s a private ritual made public, blending vulnerability with her signature bravado.

Of course, not everyone’s hailing it as heartfelt. The reveal has cleaved Cardi’s fanbase down the middle, with X (formerly Twitter) lighting up like a fireworks show. “This is so cool! What a beautiful process,” one supporter tweeted, dropping heart emojis galore. Another called it “a lifetime memory for her newborn son,” praising the innovation. But the naysayers? They’re out in force. “Ahh— nope! This is not cute at all,” recoiled one commenter, while another quipped, “It’s giving… umbilical pretzel.” A third summed up the horror: “My heart turned a different color,” and a fourth deadpanned, “I’ll pass.” Over on X, reactions ranged from cultural jabs—”In Nigeria, we bury it to avoid curses; Cardi’s wearing it as a necklace 😂”—to outright revulsion: “Get tf off my feed.”

The backlash isn’t surprising. In many cultures, the placenta and cord are treated with reverence—buried for good luck, planted under trees for growth symbolism, or even consumed raw in rituals. Cardi’s glossy spin flips that script into something commodified and consumable, aligning with her larger-than-life persona but clashing with more traditional sensibilities. Critics argue it’s another example of celebrity excess, turning a sacred rite into Instagram fodder. “Tf is going on here,” one X user fumed, echoing the sentiment that some memories are best left locked away.

Yet, for every grimace, there’s a defender pointing to the wellness angle. Placenta encapsulation has gone mainstream, with stars like Kim Kardashian, January Jones, and Hilary Duff all swearing by the pills for postpartum recovery. The practice dates back centuries in Chinese medicine, where dried placenta is used to combat fatigue and depression. Modern twists like cord jewelry are a natural evolution, blending ancient wisdom with boutique beauty. Companies like Mommy Made report booming business, especially among high-profile moms seeking that extra edge in a demanding world.

Cardi’s choice also spotlights her evolving family dynamic. This baby boy is her first with Diggs, whom she started dating earlier this year after finalizing her divorce from rapper Offset. The couple, who share a love for the limelight—Diggs on the gridiron, Cardi in the booth—kept the pregnancy under wraps until the birth, surprising fans with cozy postpartum pics of the little one swaddled in Patriots gear. She already moms daughters Kulture, 7, and Wave, 3, with Offset, making this her second chapter in blended bliss. The gold pendant? It’s not just jewelry; it’s a talisman for their new beginning, a shiny emblem of resilience amid tabloid turmoil.

Looking ahead, don’t expect Cardi to dial back the drama. With a new album reportedly in the works and Diggs eyeing another Super Bowl run, her life is a whirlwind of verses, victories, and viral moments. This umbilical accessory might be the most literal “cord-cutting” celebration yet, but it’s pure Cardi: raw, real, and relentlessly unapologetic. Whether you see it as a touching tribute or a twisted trinket, one thing’s clear— in her world, even the afterbirth gets the red-carpet treatment.

As the debate rages on X and TikTok, with memes multiplying faster than her kids, Cardi’s latest flex reminds us why she’s a force. Love it or loathe it, the gold-plated umbilical cord is the accessory of the moment, proving once again that motherhood, Cardi-style, is anything but ordinary. What’s next—diamond-dusted diapers?