The Angel Baby Birthstone Pendant, crafted in sterling silver and often featuring a Zircon birthstone, represents a poignant and deeply personal form of remembrance. This charm, designed to honor the memory of a baby lost too soon, combines delicate artistry with the symbolic weight of the birthstone tradition. While not a traditional birthstone in the historical sense, the customizable nature of this pendant allows for a deeply meaningful connection to the month of the baby’s birth, offering solace and a lasting tribute to parents. This article will explore the design, materials, and symbolism associated with this increasingly popular memorial piece.
Design and Materials
The pendant is primarily constructed from 925 sterling silver, a popular choice for jewelry due to its affordability, durability, and bright, white appearance. The design consistently features delicate hands cradling the feet of a baby, a universally recognized symbol of protection, love, and new life. At the center of this tender depiction lies a customizable birthstone, typically a Zircon, though the provided sources do not exclude the possibility of other gemstones being used.
The pendant measures 17.11 mm in width, 12.19 mm in height, and 6.875 mm in thickness, with a weight of 3.05 grams. The birthstone itself is a heart-shaped Zircon, weighing 0.44 carats. The pendant is often paired with a sterling silver chain, with bracelet lengths ranging from 14 cm (6.3 inches) to 22 cm (8.7 inches) available to accommodate various wrist sizes. A sizing guide is provided, recommending a 16 cm bracelet for children. The sources also include detailed ring sizing charts, though their relevance to the pendant is limited.
Symbolism and Meaning
The Angel Baby Birthstone Pendant is steeped in symbolism, primarily centered around remembrance and the enduring bond between parents and their child. The cradling hands represent protection and the continuation of love even in loss. The inclusion of a birthstone adds another layer of meaning, connecting the pendant to the specific month of the baby’s birth and the associated qualities and symbolism of that particular stone.
The Zircon, as featured in the described pendant, is not traditionally linked to a specific month in the conventional birthstone calendar. However, its inclusion allows for personalization and a connection to the baby’s birth month. Beyond its role as a customizable element, the pendant itself serves as a tangible reminder of the baby’s life and a symbol of hope and healing.
Related sterling silver charms, such as Angel’s Wings, further emphasize themes of protection and guidance. These wings, often personalized with names or dates, are presented as memorial gifts, symbolizing the loved one’s transition to a spiritual realm and their continued presence as a guardian angel. The ability to add personalized inscriptions – names, dates, or meaningful words like “GUIDED,” “PROTECTED,” or “BLESSED” – transforms the pendant into a uniquely personal and cherished keepsake. Hand-stamped personalization, while offering a warm, artistic touch, may exhibit slight variations in lettering due to the manual process. Laser engraving is offered as an alternative for a more precise finish.
The Significance of Sterling Silver
The choice of sterling silver as the primary material is also symbolic. Silver has long been associated with purity, innocence, and spirituality. Its reflective qualities can be seen as representing the enduring memory of the baby, shining brightly in the hearts of those who loved them. Sterling silver’s relative affordability also makes the pendant accessible to a wider range of individuals seeking a meaningful and lasting tribute.
Purchasing and Customization Options
The pendant is available for purchase online, with options for customization. The sources mention a points-based reward system, allowing customers to earn points with purchases and redeem them for discounts. Shipping options include standard shipping, with free shipping offered on orders over $75.00. The Paper Store, mentioned as a retailer, does not currently ship to Hawaii or Alaska.
Personalization options extend beyond the birthstone selection. Customers can add hand-stamped characters (A-Z, 0-9, &, -, ., ?, and a heart symbol represented by a "$") to the pendant, creating a truly unique and individualized memorial piece. Additional hand-stamping options are available for longer inscriptions.
Bracelet Sizing Guide
The provided materials include a detailed bracelet sizing guide, offering instructions on how to measure wrist size accurately. The guide recommends measuring the wrist in warm temperatures at the end of the day, as fingers tend to swell. It also advises adding one inch (2.5 centimeters) to the wrist measurement to determine the appropriate bracelet length. A table is included, correlating wrist measurements in inches and centimeters with recommended bracelet lengths.
| Wrist Size (Inches) | Wrist Size (cm) | Recommended Bracelet Length (Inches) | Recommended Bracelet Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | 16 | 7.5 | 19 |
| 6.7 | 17 | 7.9 | 20 |
| 7.1 | 18 | 8.3 | 21 |
| 7.5 | 19 | 8.7 | 22 |
| 7.9 | 20 | - | - |
| 8.3 | 21 | - | - |
| 8.7 | 22 | - | - |
The guide also notes that wider bands may require a slightly larger size for comfort.
Conclusion
The Angel Baby Birthstone Pendant is more than just a piece of jewelry; it is a deeply personal and symbolic tribute to a life lost too soon. Crafted from sterling silver and featuring a customizable birthstone, the pendant serves as a tangible reminder of the enduring love between parents and their child. The design, materials, and personalization options all contribute to its significance as a cherished keepsake, offering solace and a lasting connection to the memory of an angel baby. While not a traditional birthstone in the historical context, the pendant effectively utilizes the birthstone concept to create a uniquely meaningful and comforting memorial.