Meaningful is defined as having a serious, important, or useful quality or purpose. It can be a person, a thing, or an event that falls under the purview of the definition of the word. And since we are almost into Mother’s Day—a season for giving mothers a treat or a gift—isn’t it appropriate to include meaningful mom jewelry items?
But before diving right into it, let’s take a little detour to spruce up your knowledge about this coming event.
This year’s Mother’s Day gift revenues are expected to reach $26.7 billion dollars—a hefty 7% increase over last year’s—makes one wonder how much people really spend on gifts such as jewelry right? Ironically, it wasn’t meant to be this way.
The present Mother’s Day was born in 1907, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, in St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, Grafton, West Virginia. It was also the culmination of Ann’s two-year fight to give honor to her Mom (who died in 1905), who was a peace activist and cared for the wounded on both sides of the American Civil War. Then in 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson designated the second Sunday of May as a national holiday to honor mothers.
As a parting shot, Anna Jarvis died penniless due to her endless fight against the commercialization of her creation.
What is a Meaningful Mom Jewelry?
Imagine your Mom rifling through her jewelry box, looking for items to wear for a dinner or an event she is to attend that evening. She picks one up, gives it a cursory look, then carefully places it back into place. Then another, and another. Mothers are a patient lot and this can go on for hours. But every so often, she picks one up and gives it a careful and fond look. She even puts them on to see if they still fit.
A slight smile forms on her lips each time she does so. You may even see a trace of tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She kisses them or presses them close to her chest before putting them very carefully back to their right place.
That’s what meaningful jewelry looks like in your Mom’s eyes—and heart.
Meaningful jewelry is a jewelry item that evokes your Mom’s strong emotions. These jewelry items take her back to the exact day it was given, and by whom. They make her feel special, wanted, and cherished. Meaningful jewelry reminds her of an event in the past that altered the course of her life—for the better.
It can be a ring, bracelet, or a pair of earrings given on Valentine’s Day by her first crush, a birthday present from her father, her first engagement ring, and ultimately, a wedding ring.
For her, they are not just pieces of jewelry, but keepsakes of those wonderful days past.
What Makes Jewelry Meaningful?
Through the years, your Mom must have accumulated several jewelry items. While they are all valuable to her, only a few are meaningful. Why? Because not all have the factors that make them so. factors like…
The Giver
Is the person with a close or intimate relationship with her. For example, jewelry for mom from daughter. The bond between mom and daughter is as unbreakable as the hardest of steel. While it can be expressed in a myriad of ways, nothing is more lasting than jewelry.
The Story
Everyone or everything has a meaningful story—as some of your Mom’s jewelry items. It could be jewelry for Mom from son who lost his life in a far-flung war or a necklace that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Symbolism
The design of many pieces of jewelry often carries with it some meanings or symbolism meant to enhance its beauty, attractiveness, and meaningfulness. In fact, it’s a sure bet that you give your mom jewelry gifts for the meanings or symbols dear to your Mom. They trigger a sense of nostalgia and happy memories.
The Maker
If the best mom jewelry item you saw in your Mom’s jewelry box is something from renowned designer Suzanne Belperron, then that should be very meaningful.
Yes, behind its glitter and sheen, you take pride in how your pieces of jewelry were made and by whom. You give them special attention and meaning. You gloss when you tell your friends, “This is Tiffany or a Cartier,” or any one of the current and famous gem designers.
Handcrafted accessories and jewelry are always meaningful as they were crafted with care and uniqueness.
Where to Find Meaningful Mom Jewelry
You cannot go into any fashion or jewelry shop and ask the shopkeeper for meaningful jewelry. There is no such thing on their shelves. Because every bit of jewelry is meaningful provided it creates the same emotional vibration between the giver, you, and the receiver, your Mom.
Creating that vibration requires two things: First, an intimate knowledge of your Mom, i.e., her values, likes and dislikes, and her fashion preferences, among others. Second: a catalyst that will start an emotional reaction within her like enzymes does to digestion.
The following is a list of such catalysts. If incorporated into jewelry items that resonate with her preferences, they will make her soul sing with unbridled joy.
Cross
Do you know that cross jewelry is one of the most popular jewelry items of all seasons? Skeptical? Well, walk into any fashion or jewelry store and you will become an instant convert.
For the believers, the Cross is a symbol of faith. Not only does it present a person’s beliefs, but also provides comfort, and promotes awareness.
Non-believers who wear cross jewelry items do so plainly to make a statement. And considering that a lot of them wear this kind of jewelry, that is a statement difficult to miss or ignore.
Angel
These are spirits mentioned in many beliefs and mythologies. They are taken as compassionate celestial beings who act as intermediaries between man and the Higher Being.
Other than reasons of faith, Angels are also symbols of strength and harmony. They provide protection and guidance. hope and happiness.
Lotus Flower
The lotus flower is regarded by many cultures as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. Growing in ponds, the flower starts its journey in mud and scum. To blossom into a beautiful flower, it must fight through murky water and garbage to reach the surface.
A lotus flower jewelry is meaningful in the sense that it reminds the wearer’s own rebirth and spiritual journey.
The Moon
The moon is a symbol of immortality and eternity. Her phases symbolize enlightenment, and its dark side Nature herself. The Moon gives people movement, yet controlling the rhythmic state of energy and the activities of life.
A moon design will make a unique mother jewelry because of its symbolism—empowerment, intuition, and inner knowledge. Depending on its phase, The Moon can encourage focus and positivity, motivation, and renewed energy.
Dragonfly
If it surprises you how a dragonfly symbolizes meaningful mom jewelry, stay around so you will know why.
The dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. This change concerns mental and emotional maturity and understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
For this reason, a lot of jewelry items such as brooches, pendants, and bracelets have dragonflies as the centerpiece.
Gemstones
Gemstones, which are known for giving luck, have been around since time immemorial for a variety of other reasons: for tools, ornaments, amulets, and talismans, to make a brew to ward off some diseases. The modern man gave them different purposes, uses, and meanings. Above all, turned them into a billion-dollar jewelry business.
But they have never lost their mysticism and symbolism. Here are a few, which, if incorporated into a jewelry item, will make the best mom jewelry piece.
- Rose quartz – is a pinkish quartz crystal and considered the stone for universal love. It encourages trust and harmony and relationships; promotes unconditional love. It is best if incorporated into a necklace where it is closer to the heart, allowing it to open and release whatever tension that resides therein.
- Selenite – is the crystalline variety of the mineral gypsum. It is named after Selene, the goddess of the Moon for good reason. It is a calming stone and instills deep inner peace. The stone is good for meditation and spiritual work; clears confusion and aids in seeing the bigger picture.
- Snowflake obsidian – is a type of obsidian (naturally-occurring volcanic glass that is formed when lava cools rapidly, accompanied by crystal growth), with inclusions of white minerals giving it a snowflaky appearance. Snowflake obsidian provides a balance between body, mind, and spirit. It helps in recognizing and eliminating negative thoughts.
Now that you have reached this far means you already have a clear idea of what makes meaningful mom jewelry. But the overarching question still remains, “how would I know that the jewelry I gift her with is so meaningful for her?”
Well, as Cervantes said, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” So here’s how to look for that pudding.
Best Jewelry Ideas for Mom
If you are looking for the best mom jewelry item to gift her with, then you may never be able to buy her one. The choices are so varied and choosing the “best” can be confusing, to say the least. So here’s a short exercise to ease your labor.
Take stock of what jewelry items she has and doesn’t have. Then ask yourself some simple but probing questions. Let’s start with one of the most common jewelry items among women:
Rings
Your mother may still be wearing her wedding ring while her engagement ring, such as the one in this Smyth Jewelers review is stowed somewhere safe. But does she have a birthday ring? If none, then ring jewelry for Mom’s birthday would be meaningful.
Otherwise, you can give her an anniversary or a friendship ring.
Earrings
Your Mom may have plenty of these, too—from casual wear to formal and everything in between. But does she have the personalized mom jewelry kind?
Or if your Mom is stylish, then the latest design in earring design—the Climbers and Crawlers—would be meaningful. If she is the regal type of woman, then the Dangles and Drops, like the pair in this Sundance review, will look meaningful and elegant on her.
Necklaces
No doubt, the first jewelry item anybody can see on a woman is her necklace. A necklace is always out front, and it enhances the overall beauty of the wearer and the outfit she wears. For this reason, too, she definitely has a lot of necklace types in her wardrobe.
But have you seen her wearing a vintage one?
There are about 21 types of necklaces in the market. While it is certain that not all will be appropriate for your Mom, but a half will do. Do a little bit of legwork to find that meaningful necklace to give your Mom for her birthday.
Bracelets/Anklets
Is your Mom fond of wearing bracelets? If she is, what type of bracelet is she fond of? Exploring this question may be your eureka moment. Depending on the source, there are as many as 34 types of bracelets to as few as 14. That’s a wide array to choose from
For example, there are the beaded types, charm, friendship, gemstone, and string. These types are further grouped according to the materials used.
If choosing the right kind of bracelet for your Mom wears you out, try anklets.
Anklets are bracelets worn around the ankles. They are modern and stylish and good for people who enjoy subtle and casual fashion.
Get the Right Jewelry for Your Mom
Choosing a meaningful Mom jewelry item can be a daunting task for several reasons. Among them is the wide array of jewelry items to choose from. Then there’s the different understanding of what “meaningful” is. We all have different world views and what is meaningful to you, maybe a dud to your Mom or your Mom’s sister. Any negative comment from the outside would somehow dampen the effect of the gift and the circumstances of giving.
The bottom line is this—the meaningfulness of a jewelry gift rests not on its price or the kind, but on the sincerity and honesty behind the gesture of giving.
Now, if to help you further in your search for the ideal Mom jewelry, check out our infographic, “30 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for 2021.”