#3117 Empire (Georgian) miniature portrait of Mother and Child.

Antique jewelry made especially for children. 

Finding antique children's jewelry can be quite a challenge.   The hunt is worthwhile as antique children's jewelry makes the perfect Baby Christening or Baptism gift that will last a life-time and be passed on to future generations. For the serious collector, it is a fascinating and unique niche.  You could start off with costume or cheap silver items and progress to fine antique pieces. Since I'm never in favor of shoddy items, I would go straight for the gold: the finest, the soonest. 

In fact, a lot of children's jewelry is not really gold. This makes sense: gold is very soft and would not easily withstand the banging and crashing of a toddler's inelegance. Gold plated or other metals therefore makes sense. 
In addition, a child may wear the jewelry for a few months, maybe a year, but eventually, will outgrow the jewelry which will probably get lost over the coming years. Again, why buy gold when it is not going to last forever?

#7576 7577 7578 Gold plated children's bangles.  

Why did people dress babies and toddlers in jewelry? The obvious reason to us is to show off Baby to family and friends. If you are rich, why not put a tiara on a 7-year-old? She's your princess. But there are more deepseated reasons that have nothing to do with appearances. In many cultures, children are dressed with pendants and charms to ward off the Evil Eye.  To protect them from nefarious forces or draw positive powers. How many kiddies have you seen with a red thread tied around their wrist? 

Antique Children's jewelry is not just big-people jewelry cut short. It had to be made so that the proportions were correct. While I believe that children should be out in the garden, digging holes in the mud, other people dressed their babies' fingers in gold and gems. Here is a unique bracelet and ring set, still in it's original fitted box, from the late Victorian era.

#6603 child's set.  

Portraits of children are popular - a lot more so than those of their parents and seniors. We get a good idea of how well-off kiddies were dressed from these paintings. Invariably, they are adorned with at least one jewel, often a talisman to ward off bad spirits and ensure good health. Coral was believed to have health benefits, but sadly, the host of children depicted wearing little coral necklaces did not reap it's rewards. Queen Victoria herself had a baby coral necklace, the like of which is so often seen in portraits of children at the time.

(sold) portrait of a child wearing a coral necklace.

                                                                               #4728 portrait of a child set into an adult's ring.

In other cultures, with strong superstitions and beliefs in the supernatural, children are often seen loaded with talismans in various forms, including tons of jewelry. There are famous 'photos of little Indian princes weighed down by enormous quantities of fabulous gems, the likes of which most of us will never see. Poor kiddies - the British stole a great deal of those jewels and gems.

Jewelry related to children, but for adults was also a curious little niche. To this day, Mum's get push presents and those little stick figure charms given for every child are ubiquitous.  Surely you could find something more original. Just look at antique jewelry.

#7141   Lacloche Fres safety pin brooch.

Look out for children's jewelry in the form of rings, necklaces and bracelets.  Brooches - remember to beware not to stick little Freddy with the pin.  

#5015 a very early Mickey. I've noticed that over the last few years, jewelry for children has all-but disappeared. I used to see boxes of tiny rings for those teeny, chubby fingers.  Today, it's a forgotten topic. 

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