#6892 Froment-Meurice brooch.
Gal Gadot (Superwoman) has made it popular for everyone to look for and appreciate their Super Power. One of the greatest and least really, really discussed Super Powers is that of Motherhood. This is not the forum to investigate the depths and breadth of Motherhood. I think we can agree it is a mammoth and awesome role. Let's also recognise a few more 'givens' before moving on to lighter matters.
Firstly, anyone can perform the role of Mother, regardless of their gender. The unconditional love and nurturing, the give, give, give that is typical of a good mother, need not be restricted to those born with two X's in their DNA.
Not all people are good mothers, but lets leave that also for other forums and discussions.
The second sad issue I can't ignore is that there are many women in our world who do not have an easy time of Motherhood nor life in general. These are abused women, women who work like slaves, women who bring up children in abominable circumstances. Please let's leave a corner of our happy minds to remember these people and hope for something better for them too.
#7182 Giardinetti Ring. 
Since 1948, we have been celebrating Mother's Day. The idea is to celebrate and honor the contribution of Mother's to their children. As we already mentioned, this is no small matter and women should be commended for what they do on a daily basis.
Small children are taught to show their Mom appreciation by giving gifts and small children invariably don't have much money of their own, so they often make little gifts for Mother Dear. I remember covering matchboxes with tiny seashells that I picked up on the beach and how my own mother cherished these small nothings on her dressing table until they literally fell apart decades later.
Recognising our Moms can be shown in many ways and the gifts we give her reflect that.
#4255 pink ruby bangle with flowers. 
The first go-to for the unimaginative is flowers. With a bit of foresight and effort, you can give an 'eternal', more thoughtful flower. Flowers star in many an antique jewel, which will last a whole lot longer than a bunch of wilting flowers bought along the road on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Traditionally, carnations are the flowers given to Mother, with roses coming in at second place. How much more thought and care goes into looking for and buying a beautiful bouquet of jewelled flowers. We can pin it onto Mum's lapel or around her neck while we cook her lunch. She will wear it to show off to her friends, not only for its inherent beauty that lasts forever, but to quietly remind her that we are grateful and appreciate her on a daily basis.
#6556 Micromosaic flower earrings.
Traditionally, the color associated with Mother's Day is pink. Is this because American women love pink? Is pink associated with the softness of mothers or the color of carnations and roses? A great variety of gemstones come in pink: rubies, garnets, Kunzites, pink topaz and even pink sapphires.
#6405 pink tourmaline ring. 
There are many symbols of motherhood, many of which are incorporated into jewelry. Furthermore, specific gems are symbols of the strengths of women and motherhood. For example, rubies in Western societies are considered the symbols of love, energy and passion and a whole lot more.
Sapphires, among other powers afford protection, good fortune and spiritual insight. Sapphires are a symbol of power and strength, but also of kindness and wise judgment. I think if we look at the symbolism of nearly every gem, we can attribute those strengths to Mothers, making many gems appropriate gifts for our mothers.
#5584 Charm bracelet. 
Women are sometimes given charms to celebrate the birth of a child. With every new birth, another charm was added. Charm bracelets can be highly personal with the charms being private symbols and memories or messages for each family.
Lockets make highly appropriate and wonderful Mother's Day gifts. Long ago, a lock of hair or a hand-painted miniature portrait was often held in lockets. Today, a 'photo will do just as well. Include a 'photo of yourself or yourself with Mum inside the locket. Remember that lockets may be in rings, bangles and pendants as well as brooches.
#7175 locket pendant 
Long ago, symbolism played a much larger role in people's lives. Gift-giving was also more popular in previous centuries. Achrostic jewelry is an obvious example, where the initial of each gem spells out a word such as 'dearest' or 'regard'. (Ruby Emerald Garnet Amethyst Ruby Diamond). Does your family share in jokes or secrets? Secret messages make wonderfully original gifts.
#7558 secret cherub hidden behind a Georgian ring.
Next week we will look again at some of the very personal gifts that antique jewelry makes for Mother's Day.
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