Kid's Jewelry - An Old Tradition Gets An Update

In the ancient cultures of America, Europe, Asia and Africa, a child's birth was often celebrated by decorating the baby with jewelry - rings, bracelets, necklaces and body jewelry. Jewelry was thought to have a protective effect on the child, and pieces that included symbols such as ankhs or gemstones such as moonstone were thought to be particularly powerful in helping a child acquire health, luck and future success.

The most popular pieces for children in the ancient world were necklaces, bracelets, and rings. However, many newborn babies also had their ears pieced so that they could wear earrings. In the Mediterranean world, many families still pierce their babies' ears so that they can decorate them with gold hoop earrings.

In modern Europe, jewelry for kids took on a special social significance. A common practice among parents was to give children special family jewelry upon their birth and on successive birthdays. Rings in precious metal or set with gemstones were expensive, and communicated to the child that they were increasingly responsible for the family's wealth and safety.

The idea of birthstone jewelry dates back hundreds of years - even, as in the case of Indian Aruveydic philosophy - thousands. Many people believed that birthstones had the effect of bringing luck to their wearer. In Europe, birthstone jewelry became a popular gift for children in the 19th and 20th centuries. Birthstone rings sized especially for babies became a particularly popular gift to commemorate a child's birth.

While in North America, kids' rings are associated with female babies and girls, many African cultures gift baby boys with rings, as well as bracelets, body jewelry, and necklaces. When the 20th century American tradition of hip hop was born, a new trend toward jewelry for males came with it. It is not uncommon for North American parents to give gemstone and gold rings to baby boys and children on birthdays or other special occasions.

The birthstone kids' ring, sized to fit a newborn child, is currently the most popular form of jewelry for children. People give a child a ring not only to celebrate his or her birth, but to gift him or her with a keepsake piece of jewelry. Once the child is grown, he or she can have it re-designed into a new item that will commemorate his or her heritage.