This is a collaborative post: There are lots of options when it comes to buying jewellery for children. You can buy cheap, plastic pieces designed for kids, buy them kits to make their own jewellery, or buy beautiful keepsake pieces for them to treasure. But when you do buy jewellery for children, what should you consider?
Necklaces
Necklaces are popular all over the world (read more about jewellery trends at ‘Which Countries Consume The Most Jewellery’) and are a good choice for school-aged children. A necklace is easy to wear and can go with lots of different outfits.
For a keepsake piece, give your child a personalised or monogrammed necklace. Think about having their name or initials engraved on a pendant.
Earrings
In some cultures, piercing the ears during infancy is very common. Studs can be worn by very young children, but you may want to wait until your child is old enough to properly care for pierced ears themselves. Until then, you could offer them clip-on or stick-on styles. Older children can wear a variety of earring styles, although make sure they know to remove drop or hoop styles during physical activities to avoid accidents.
Rings
Young children love to try on rings, but they should really only be given to older children, as the small size makes them a choking hazard. An older child would love a keepsake gift of a ring made with their birthstone in, or with a colourful, playful design. Monogrammed rings could also be a good idea.
Bracelets
Charm bracelets are a lovely gift for children to help them remember special occasions. Buy them the bracelet for one occasion, and then you can keep marking special occasions with new charms for years to come. As they get older, your child can build up a collection of charms that will remind them of special times and happy moments.
Is Jewellery Safe For Children?
Before you buy jewellery for children, consider the age of your child and the safety measures that you might need to observe. For example, it’s not wise to give necklaces to infants or toddlers. Wait until your child is older and can wear a necklace even during a variety of activities.
If you gift earrings, choose screw-back posts over studs. If you want hoop earrings, it’s best to start with snug-fitting hoop earrings that can’t be pulled off.
Rings and bracelets are better for older children. Younger children use their hands a lot while they play, so rings and bracelets could easily be damaged, broken, or lost.
Some children may react to some metals, especially when they sweat. If you aren’t sure about which metals are safe, stick with real metals like gold. Hypoallergenic jewellery can be ideal for very young children, who may be more prone to sensitive skin than older kids.
Jewellery can be a lovely gift for a child, but consider their age, ability to care for it, and how safe it is before you buy anything of any value.