If you have a child or at least know a child, chances are, at some point you will find yourself buying a piece of jewelry for a child. Whether it's for a new baby, a christening, Bar Mitzvah, or a birthday present for a favorite niece, jewelry is a thoughtful gift that can last forever.
Before purchasing a piece of children's jewelry it's helpful to have an idea and a budget in mind before you set foot in the store. It's so easy to get overwhelmed by choices once you get to the jewelry store and you may find yourself having to leave to think things over, just to come back another day.
Here are a few ideas to make things easier.
Religious Ceremonies:
A lovely gift is your religion's symbol on a gold or silver chain. This is a traditional and still cherished gift. One thing you need to look at when buying this gift is the length of the chain. You need to keep it short enough so that the child doesn't notice it as easily and is less likely to yank it off. For a baby or toddler you want a chain of 12 inches. For a bit bigger child look for a 15 or 16 inch chain. If your jeweler doesn't carry 12 inch chains, buy an 18 inch and have him cut it into a 12 inch necklace and a 6 inch bracelet and present it as a set.
New Baby:
Some adorable gifts include signet (initial) rings for boys and birthstone or diamond rings for girls. You can actually purchase rings small enough to fit on a newborns fingers. You have to realize that they cannot wear them any longer than it takes to take a picture but they can be worn on a chain around their neck when they are older and the mother may like to wear them in that manner right now.
Another lovely choice is a silver or gold baby bangle bracelet. These are a terrific choice as they have a locking mechanism so the baby cannot manage to get out of them. They are also engrave-able on the inside to help commemorate the birth or other occasion.
Birthday Gifts:
You can have so much fun with jewelry for birthday gifts. Anything from a "Dora-the Explorer" watch to a silver tiara inlaid with semi-precious stones. Consider the child's personality when you purchase the gift. A tom-boy would not appreciate a delicate silver locket and your favorite little Diva won't be happy with a big rubber watch that shows the time in six different time zones. And unless you have a very careful child, you should keep the gift modestly priced. Children are notorious for losing jewelry.
New Innovation:
There has been a recent development in children's jewelry, probably the first in 500 years. It's a magnetic clasp. This is terrific for chains and link bracelets. If the child pulls hard on the piece it will come apart at the magnet and the chain will not break. The clasp is every bit as strong as a regular clasp. It saves many trips to the jewelers for soldering, keeping the chain stronger and saving you money.
So keep a sense of fun and wonderment when buying kid's jewelry, keep an open mind and remember that not all jewelry needs to be purchased new. You may have a piece or two from your childhood that you may wish to pass on to the next generation. A good jeweler can help you repair or re-invent your jewelry to help create a beautiful heirloom that will always remind the child of you. And that is the real joy of buying children's jewelry.
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