Milanka and Rabia originally imagined Plant & Gem in the summer of 2018, as a combination of their individual talents, passions and creativity. They created a beautiful product line of items carefully handcrafted with high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. Each product was intentionally created to merge their interests, with Milanka at school for geology and Rabia studying herbalism at the time. Though their products and vision were full of love, passion and drive, the timing wasn’t right for either of them. So they decided to put Plant & Gem on hold, knowing that they would revive the business at the right time.

In the summer of 2024, exactly six years to the day of their first market during the first iteration of Plant & Gem, they launched the Original Orange Chapstick Formula with amazing success. This formula is based on the original chapstick formula Rabia created more than six years ago. Now, a year later, they have an ever-expanding product line full of luxurious, nourishing body-care products based on the same standards that were set in place during the first run at Plant & Gem.

Plant & Gem is beyond a product line for Milanka and Rabia. It is a true merging of their loves, interests, and now — seven years later — their specialties. Rabia is a Clinical Herbalist, gardener, farmer, all-around plant enthusiast, astrologer, vivacious reader and writer, creative cook and crafts-person. Milanka has a B.S. in geology; she is a windsurfer and windsurfing instructor, amazingly talented photographer and artist, loving animal and plant caretaker and excels at any DIY project she picks up. Both Rabia and Milanka love to thrift, have a love for vintage, clothes, design and repurposing old items. Their talents have a beautiful synergy that fuels the creative vision for Plant & Gem as the business expands.

Rabia and Milanka are SO excited to see how Plant & Gem continues to bloom with the love and support of their amazing customers, colleagues, friends and family. Plant & Gem is an ever-evolving manifestation of creativity, love and hard work that would not be possible without this community. Both Rabia and Milanka are beyond grateful to have each other as not only business partners, but also best friends (really, sisters), in this journey that is Plant & Gem.