What do you give someone who has just become a mother? — Jewelry by stage
What do you give someone who has just become a mother? Something for her, rather than yet another onesie. The loveliest gift is a piece of birth jewelry: something small she wears every day, with the baby's initial, the birthstone of the birth month or a heart. Below you'll find how to choose, which piece suits which moment, from the first visit to the first birthday, and what to keep in mind with a baby around.
The short answer
Birth jewelry for the mother is a piece that refers to the birth of her child. Choose something small she can wear every day:
- Initial: a ring with the first letter of the baby's name.
- Birthstone: a necklace, ring or studs in the colour of the birth month.
- Heart: two linked hearts, one big and one small, for mother and child.
- By moment: something small for the first visit, birth jewelry once the first rush is over, a piece to keep on the first birthday.
- Baby-proof: a short chain, a small pendant and studs rather than drops.
Having a baby changes everything in a matter of days. The new mother receives onesies, cuddly toys and muslin cloths: sweet, but all for the baby, and outgrown within a year. A piece of jewelry is the opposite: something for her, that lasts. All the jewelry in this article is made of premium stainless steel with a gold-tone or silver-tone PVD coating: waterproof and hypoallergenic (only pearl-look pieces are not waterproof). Ideal for a mother who is washing her hands and bathing a baby all day.
Birth jewelry for the mother: how to choose
Birth jewelry is a piece for the mother that refers to her child. It doesn't need to be big or eye-catching; the best birth jewelry is so small and light that she never takes it off. There are three ways to make it personal.
1. With the baby's initial or a photo
A ring with the first letter of the name is personal, without everyone noticing straight away. The Quincy ring is adjustable, so you don't need to know her ring size. Not every letter is available, so check the product page for the baby's initial. Prefer something with a photo? The Isolde locket holds two tiny photos. Just take the necklace off in the shower so the photos stay nice. Read more about letter rings in rings with a letter.
2. With the birthstone of the month
Every month has its own birthstone. A piece in that colour is a quiet nod to the date of birth: only those who know will notice. At Lundholm the stones are cubic zirconia in the colour of the birthstone, not genuine gemstones. This table shows which stone belongs to which month, and in which piece you'll find it:
| Month | Birthstone (colour) | At Lundholm |
|---|---|---|
| January | Garnet (deep red) | Embla, Zoe |
| February | Amethyst (lilac) | Embla |
| March | Aquamarine (light blue) | Embla, Grace |
| April | Diamond (clear) | Zoe, Grace |
| May | Emerald (green) | Zoe, Grace |
| June | Pearl or alexandrite (cream or lilac) | Zoe |
| July | Ruby (red) | Zoe, Grace |
| August | Peridot (light green) | Zoe, Grace |
| September | Sapphire (dark blue) | Embla, Zoe, Grace |
| October | Opal or tourmaline (milky white or pink) | Embla, Zoe, Grace |
| November | Topaz or citrine (champagne or yellow) | Embla, Zoe |
| December | Blue topaz, turquoise or tanzanite (ice blue) | Embla, Zoe |
Embla is the necklace with a rectangular pendant, Zoe the ring with a heart-shaped stone, and Grace the teardrop studs. The October Grace has a pearl-look stone: take those off before showering or swimming.
3. With a heart (or two)
A heart is the most universal kind of birth jewelry. Two linked hearts tell the whole story: a big heart and a small one holding on to each other, for mother and child. Does she prefer a bracelet to a necklace? There are those too, in gold and in silver.
Jewelry by stage: from the first visit to the first birthday
The moment shapes the gift. A small token during that first visit feels different from a thoughtful present once the first rush is over, or a piece of jewelry on the first birthday, when that first year is done.
Stage 1: the first visit, a small token
In the first weeks everything is new and busy. The new mother is tired, has a steady stream of visitors and piles of baby presents. That is exactly why a small piece for herself stands out: something she can wear straight away, no fuss. Think small studs or a fine chain, like the Lovez heart necklace from the opening photo. Keep it modest, so she doesn't feel obliged. (In the Netherlands this first visit to meet the baby has its own name: the kraamvisite.)
Pictured
Alma – tiny open hearts
Open hearts of 0.9 cm: small, light and easy to keep in all day. Just right for those first weeks, when there's no time to think about jewelry.
View the Alma →
Stage 2: after the first rush, the meaningful gift
After a few weeks things calm down. The visits slow and the new mother finds her rhythm. This is the moment for meaningful birth jewelry: the initial, the birthstone or two linked hearts, as described above. The name and the date of birth are settled, and she has the calm to really enjoy it.
Prefer a symbol? In many cultures the tree of life stands for growth, family and the bond between generations. Lovely for someone who has just added a new branch to the tree.
Stage 3: the first birthday, a piece to keep
A year later the baby celebrates their first birthday, and the mother her first year of motherhood, with everything that comes with it: short nights, first teeth, first steps. A gift for her on that day says: I see what you've done this year. Choose something she'll wear for years, with a little more sparkle than in those first weeks.
Rose quartz is often called the stone of love, which makes the Rosan a lovely gift for this day. Read more about the meaning of rose quartz. Prefer a little sparkle? A heart with cubic zirconia or a double-layer bracelet goes with everything.
What to look for in jewelry for a new mother
A baby grabs anything that sparkles or dangles, and a new mother often has her hands full. Keep these four points in mind and you will choose a piece she actually wears:
- Small and close to the skinA short chain, around 40 to 45 cm, with a small pendant. A long necklace soon turns into a toy.
- Studs, not dropsA baby easily tugs at drops and large hoops; small studs simply stay put.
- Waterproof and hypoallergenicHand washing, baths, showers: with stainless steel she doesn't have to keep taking her jewelry off.
- AdjustableHer ring size may be a little different after pregnancy. An adjustable ring always fits.
A gift for your pregnant daughter
Is your daughter, daughter-in-law or best friend still expecting? A pregnancy necklace, also called a bola, is a popular gift: a long necklace with a chime ball that makes a soft sound as she moves. Read all about it in what is a bola pregnancy necklace. Looking for something she'll also wear every day after the birth? Choose a delicate necklace with linked hearts, like the Lieve. Once the baby is born, you can add a piece of birth jewelry with the baby's initial or birthstone.
The Dutch tradition: baargoud
In the Netherlands, a piece of jewelry for the mother after the birth is called baargoud. Traditionally the partner gives it, often a necklace with a heart, the baby's initial or birthstone. It is the Dutch counterpart of the push present, and all the birth jewelry in this article fits the tradition. Find out what baargoud is, where the word comes from and who gives it when in what is baargoud.
Shipping and gift wrapping
Order before 3 pm (CET) on a working day and we ship the same day. Free shipping thresholds depend on your country; you will find the details on our shipping page. Every piece is sent in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own web shop you always get a free gift bag too, so there is nothing left to wrap before your visit. On larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts as well. Tip: add a card saying why you chose this piece, or which month the stone stands for.
Frequently asked questions about gifts for a new mother
What is birth jewelry for the mother?
Birth jewelry is a piece for the mother that refers to the birth of her child, for example with the baby's initial, the birthstone of the birth month or two linked hearts. It is usually small, so she can wear it every day.
What do you give someone who has just become a mother?
Something for herself rather than for the baby, because she will get plenty of baby things. A small piece of jewelry she wears every day is a lasting reminder of this time: a necklace with linked hearts, a birthstone ring or baby feet studs.
When do you give jewelry to a new mother?
During the first visit (a small token), after the first busy weeks (meaningful birth jewelry) or on the baby's first birthday (a piece to keep). There is no fixed rule; choose the moment that suits you.
Which birth necklace should you choose for the mother?
Choose a short, delicate necklace with a small pendant: a birthstone in the colour of the birth month, two linked hearts or a locket with a photo. A short chain stays close to the neck, so a baby is less likely to tug at it.
Which birthstone belongs to which month?
January garnet, February amethyst, March aquamarine, April diamond, May emerald, June pearl or alexandrite, July ruby, August peridot, September sapphire, October opal or tourmaline, November topaz or citrine and December blue topaz, turquoise or tanzanite.
Can you wear jewelry with a baby around?
Yes, if you go for small and smooth: studs rather than drops or large hoops, a short necklace with a small pendant and a delicate bracelet. Waterproof jewelry is handy, because you don't have to keep taking it off for hand washing or bath time.
What can you give mother and baby together?
Combine a piece of jewelry for the mother with a small gift for the baby, or choose a piece that refers to both: baby feet studs, two linked hearts or the baby's initial.
Which piece of jewelry do you give your pregnant daughter?
A pregnancy necklace (bola) is a popular gift during pregnancy. If you want something she will also wear every day afterwards, choose a delicate necklace with linked hearts. After the birth you can add a piece of birth jewelry.
What is baargoud?
Baargoud is the Dutch name for a piece of jewelry the mother receives after giving birth, usually from her partner. Often it is a necklace, ring or bracelet with a heart, the baby's initial or birthstone.
Does the jewelry come gift-wrapped?
Yes. Every piece is sent in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own web shop you always get a free gift bag too. So there is nothing left to wrap before your visit.
A gift for the new mother
Discover personal jewelry with meaning: waterproof, hypoallergenic and always in a luxury gift box.
