The History Of Kids’ Rings
The tradition of giving rings, or jewelry in general, to children dates back thousands of years. In the old civilizations of Africa, Europe, America and Asia, a common practice was to decorate a newborn child with jewelry upon his or her birth. Jewelry, especially that which featured symbols such as ankhs or gemstones such as moonstone, was thought to help a child achieve luck and status.
In the Mediterranean world, many families still pierce their babies’ ears so that they can decorate them with gold hoop earrings – a tradition that dates back to the ancient world. They also frequently gift newborn babies with crucifix necklaces in gold – a practice that recalls that region’s ancient tradition of giving children protective amulets.
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.
The significance of kids’ rings is different in different cultures. In the West, rings are typically considered most appropriate for female babies and children. However, many African societies still give rings to their baby boys, along with necklaces, bracelets, and body jewelry. In the 20th century, hip hop culture was born in America, and with it, a new tradition of jewelry for males. Many American families now give gold and gemstone jewelry, including rings, to male babies and young boys.
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.