Children’s jewelry is the perfect gift for any special occasion: birth, birthday, christening or Christmas. There’s often no need to hesitate in offering such a gift to a teenager or an adult.
For children, the question seems a little trickier. As their skin marks easily, parents tend to fear that wearing jewelry could lead to skin irritation, especially in the case of younger children. Rest assured, the risks are minimal.
Nevertheless, to ensure your children‘s safety, it’s important to know at what age it’s safe to wear jewelry, and which types to choose.
Is jewelry for children a good idea?
To answer the question directly, yes, giving jewelry to children is a good idea. In fact, today it’s a very common practice in the modern world. And such a gift is sure to surprise your little ones. They always expect more common gifts such as toys, clothes and shoes.
On the other hand, jewelry has a more personal connotation. You can also engrave a pendant with the recipient’s initials, or inscribe an important date in your child‘s life. It’s all part of a happy memory.
Jewelry is available for both boys and girls. Just choose the right style for each sex. A braided bracelet, for example, works well for both, as does an ethnic necklace or a luminous bracelet.
Unlike objects that a child can quickly tire of, jewelry can accompany them on a daily basis to enhance their look. As well as pleasing your little one, you’re also getting a return on your investment.
Why should a child wear jewelry?
Wearing jewelry can teach your child several lessons. The first is responsibility. Whether or not the jewel is made from precious materials, your little one has a duty to take care of it, so as not to lose it or damage it. This encourages him to do the same with his other belongings.
Jewelry can also be a material link between two people. Between a parent and baby, for example. The love that exists between the two parties can be transformed into a powerful bond. The bracelet, necklace or earring thus becomes a magical talisman that brings happiness, luck and protection. Of course, you have to believe in it.
Jewelry can also represent a loved one who has passed away or is far away. In this case, it’s a way of always keeping a part of that loved one with you. If you’re separated from your children, and they miss you, all they have to do to feel your presence is wear the jewel you gave them.
Some jewels also have a very important and specific role to play. If your child suffers from an allergy or asthma, for example, you can mark this on a personalized piece of jewelry. That way, in the event of an emergency, those around him or her will know what to do to save the day.
Beware of allergies!
Children‘s skin, especially babies’, is still very sensitive to external aggressions. That’s why you need to be careful about giving them jewelry of dubious origin. Precious metals such as silver and gold are generally hypoallergenic. If your child has a reaction to them, it’s because other components have been added.
Copper is one of the most harmful and irritating materials. For your young children, forget costume jewelry made from it. Other non-precious metals can also be dangerous. To recognize an intolerance, simply have your little one wear the jewellery for a few hours. If redness appears all around, remove the accessory immediately.
For the most sensitive, we recommend jewelry made of rope, elastic, pearls or stainless steel. In addition to being inexpensive, the latter also has hypoallergenic properties. Today, it’s often used in the design of many types of jewelry: chains, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings and much more.
Can I pierce my baby’s ears at birth?
Parents awaiting the arrival of a baby girl are probably wondering whether it would be wiser to pierce the baby ‘s ears directly at birth. While this initiative may seem practical, many health specialists advise against it.
The hole created in the earlobe is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. With the sleepless nights ahead, you may forget to disinfect the wound at times. This could cause real pain for the baby.
Moreover, as the baby is not yet aware of his actions, he could accidentally rip off his earrings. In certain unusual situations, your daughter’s earring could become entangled in her mother’s. And in a sudden movement, your daughter could lose her earring. And in a sudden movement, her mother could tear her baby’s earlobe.
So, to give you a concrete answer to the question: no! We recommend waiting until at least 1? years ofage. Ideally, it would even be preferable to pierce your child ‘s ear at 2 years of age.
You should also take great care in choosing the right model. Practicality and safety are more important than aesthetics. We recommend chip-style earrings.
Can I give my child a piece of jewelry for his or her baptism?
Although a child can be baptized at any age, this sacred ritual is usually performed before the baby’s first year. Some parents prefer to carry it out between 6 and 8 months, to ensure a smooth ceremony. An infant is less likely to be rambunctious.
At this age, it’s possible to give thechild a piece of jewelry to mark the occasion. Be careful, however, to choose the right model. Among the jewels we recommend are the following:
- A chain
- A gold-plated bangle bracelet
- A pendant or medal
- A curb chain
We’ve chosen these types of jewelry because they can accompany yourchild as he or she grows. So, even if an infant can’t wear them yet, he or she will as they grow up. Your little one will keep a timeless memory of this big day. Toadd a personal touch, engrave your child’ s first name and the date of the christening on the back of the jewel.
A child’s pendant: at what age?
By definition, a pendant is an ornament suspended from a chain worn around the neck or wrist. It can be worn on any occasion. But is it a good idea to buy one for a child?
Because of the chain that is an integral part of this jewelry, the dangers for little ones are numerous. While they’re playing, for example, they can accidentally rip off the accessory, leaving a beautiful mark on their neck. They can also get stuck on a swing or other structure in which the object has become entangled.
For these reasons, it’s wiser not to let a baby wear a pendant without someone to look after him. The baby could put the pendant in his mouth and swallow it.
Nevertheless, at pre-schoolage (between 3 and 5), little ones already have better judgment of the things around them. They’ll be able to avoid injuring themselves with their necklace or bracelet. You can also teach them to remove and put away their jewelry when they’re playing. Use playful games to help them understand the danger they could run in certain situations, or the precious nature of their property.
Wearing children’s jewelry: let’s talk about safety
Wearing jewelry of any kind requires a strong sense of responsibility. A child may not yet be aware of this? So it’s your duty to ensure your little one’s safety while he or she is wearing their jewel.
Children’s chain jewelry, whether necklaces or bracelets, should be chosen with care. Their length is a determining factor. They shouldn’t be too long, otherwise the dangling parts can easily get caught anywhere.
Whatever the accessory – ring, earrings, bracelet or necklace– make sure it’s not too heavy for your child. In the case of earrings, for example, the lobe could be pulled down, resulting in long-term pain or itching.
Also, always check the jewel‘s design materials. Opt for safe components such assilver, gold, fabric, elastic, stainless steel or pearls (plastic, or natural stone such as amber). They won’t irritate your child‘s skin.
Finally, keep a constant eye on your little one when he’s wearing his jewelry. Don’t give them to him when he’s playing. Have him wear them only on special occasions to enhance his outfit.
What is the ideal age for a child to wear jewelry?
Wearing jewelry can entail a number of risks for children. It’s important to keep a close eye on them, especially when they’re very young.
Children can wear jewelry at different ages. An infant, for example, who has not yet acquired the sense of grasp, can have a bracelet on his wrist without you having to worry about him putting it in his mouth. Between the ages of 5 and 12 months, it’s best to remove jewelry. During this period, he begins to pick up objects and could swallow them.
As they grow, children become increasingly aware of their environment. He learns to distinguish dangerous situations. By the age of three, he has good judgment. He can wear jewelry without any problem, without you having to keep a constant eye on him. As he can already speak a little, he will understand the safety instructions you give him.
In conclusion, the idea lage for a child to wear jewelry is around 3 and 4 years old. As for earrings, you can give them to your daughter from the age of one and a half.
What kind of jewelry for what age?
It’s a good idea to give jewelry to children, but you still need to know which models are best suited to them.
- Bracelets: They can be worn by children of all ages. Bracelets, for example, are ideal for newborns. As they get older, opt for jewelry that’s easy to handle, such as elastic beaded bracelets. They adjust naturally to the size of your little one’s wrist.
- Earrings : For a first pair at the age of 18 months, opt for fleas. Since they don’t dangle, they’re safer. If your child is older, three years or more, you can choose creoles.
- Pendant necklaces: Ideal only from the age of three. You can choose chains or necklaces made of pearls, rope or elastic.
- Rings: For children over three who no longer put objects in their mouths and have already acquired a sense of responsibility.
At what age can a child wear jewelry?
Every child grows up differently. Some may be more advanced than others, and understand quite quickly the responsibilities involved in wearing jewelry. So it’s up to parents to judge whether or not their little ones are ready.
For example, a child who is not too rambunctious can start wearing jewelry as early as age 2. Others will have to wait until the age of three or four. In all cases, make sure your little ones are safe. Choose materials that are not harmful to their health, and models that don’t pose too many risks during use At what age did your child receive his or her first piece of jewelry? What type of jewelry did you choose? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.