A Guide to Christening Jewellery: Meaningful Gifts for a Special Day

Christenings and Baptisms are moments filled with family tradition and quiet meaning. For generations, jewellery has been one of the most cherished gifts given on this special day. A small carefully chosen bracelet, a delicate locket, or a meaningful charm can become something far more than an accessory, it becomes a keepsake that carries memories of a child’s earliest celebration and key figures in their life. Here is my lovely dad, on my christening day, Sunday October 6th 1968.

As a jeweller here in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, it's always a privilege to help families, godmothers, godfathers and grandparents choose pieces that will last, not just for the day itself, but for many years to come. Christening jewellery is often tucked away safely while a child is young, only to be rediscovered later as a beautiful reminder of family, faith and the people who welcomed them into the world. 

I have two charms from my own Christening, a silver teddy and a golden pig. I often wear the little golden pig and both charms are incredibly dear to me. 

Popular Pieces of Christening Jewellery

These include:

Christening Bracelets

A gift that will stand the test of time. There's been an increase in popularly of chain bracelets over the last few years, especially with boys and men. These can be made small, to fit the child, or larger to be stored and discovered at an older age. 

Baby Bangles

A traditional gift. Bangles are often robust enough that they can be worn by the infant and are sometimes even worn on the day of the baptism, or christening itself. 

Birthstone Pendant

One of my favourite Christening gifts. A Birthstone pendant carries the personal meaning and significance of the stone. 

Lockets

Lockets can be made even more special by tucking something personal inside. Daisy, who I work with has a locket containing a daisy, that was picked on the day she was born and given as a christening gift. This is a lovely idea, which would also translate to other floral names e.g. a dried rose, or poppy petal, a tiny violet, or jasmine flower, or the anther from a lily.

Cross Pendants 

Elegant and timeless. Cross pendants are worn as a nurturing reminder of faith. 

Charm Jewellery

This could either be a single charm laced with personal meaning, (see below for inspiration) or a charm bracelet, or necklace. 

Choosing the Right Christening Jewellery 

One of the reasons why I like having a jewellery shop in Tunbridge Wells, Kent is that people can stop by and see first hand, the options that are available. I'm also on hand to offer advice and answer any questions. My top piece of advice when choosing a piece of Christening jewellery, is to pick something that has meaning for you, that you can pass on to the child. Did your grandmother have a charm bracelet, that you have happy memories of studying, do you wear a cross pendant, is the child's birthstone also one of your favourite colours, or does it remind you of something that you hold dear, such as aquamarine and spending time by the sea. 

Personalised Christening Jewellery

If you'd like to discuss creating a personalised piece of Christening jewellery, then please get in touch, by emailing me here. I offer:

Hand-engraved Christening Jewellery

I work an incredibly talented hand engraver who can engrave anything from a child's name, initials or a family crest or drawing onto a piece of jewellery. Sadly hand-engraving is a dying art so it feels a real privilege to support and collaborate with such a talented craftsman. 

Bespoke Christening Jewellery and Charms 

I can also make something completely unique for you, as a Christening, or Baptism gift. For the last three years, I have had what I can only describe as the absolute honour of creating a charm each year for a grandfather to give as a gift to his granddaughter. It's also wonderful to imagine that as a young women, she'll be able to look back and have a special connection with her grandfather, through each charm and each of their deeply personal meanings. The first charm with a Bobbled Pollen Charm set with her birthstone, Amethyst, the next was a tiny book and this year I'm making a miniature pencil charm. 

I made a bespoke gold-plated silver and alexandrite baby bangle, for a godfather to give his June-born god-daughter, at her christening. It was such a personal touch, adding her birthstone.

Ideas of Christening Jewellery Gifts 

Kiss Cross Pendant Necklace

A classic Christening cross pendant, but made unique, with an artisan bobbled texture and stylised design. Choose from two designs: either the drop necklace with the crosses in a line here, or this design with two crosses, which is more characterfully arranged and has a sense of movement.

Sky Charm Pendant

I love the significance of this charm necklace, for a Christening gift. It combines the symbolism of angel wings with the metaphor of giving the child a flying start in life. It is finished with a glistening blue Sapphire, which represents wisdom and protection. Two perfect attributes to pass onto a child. 

Gemstone Bobbled Pollen Pendant

This timeless birthstone pendant can be personalised, with your choice of metals and precious stone. Choose a stone that has significance - it could be your favourite colour, or a colour, that has another type of significance; e.g. a red Garnet to symbolise love, or a green Peridot, to represent nature.

Owl Heart Amulet Pendant 

Inspired by the African Adinkra symbol odo nyera fie kwan (“love always finds its way home”) this amulet represents love and wisdom and would make a special Christening, or Baptism gift. Its eyes are finished with two glistening rubies, representing eternal love.

Hop Pendant Necklace

Inspired by the county of Kent, its artisan producers and produce and one of the nature's favourite tipples, this Hop pendant necklace, would make the perfect Christening fit for a child born in Tunbridge Wells, or Kent, or with a connection to the county of Kent.

Berry Bangle

These suggestions wouldn't be complete without a bangle. As I write this I can imagine the gorgeous slightly chubby wrist of a baby, adorned with a special silver bangle for his or her Christening. Having said that I would usually recommend buying the bangle in an adult size, so that it can be treasured and worn for years to come. 

Christening jewellery holds a special place among traditional gifts, because it grows in meaning over time. What begins as a small token, given at a baby’s Baptism, can become a treasured heirloom, a bracelet carefully kept by parents, a charm added to a bracelet years later, or a cross pendant worn on important milestones, throughout life. Thoughtfully chosen jewellery carries stories, memories and family connections that last far beyond the Christening day itself. Whether you choose a simple charm, a delicate bracelet, or a personalised piece, the most meaningful Christening jewellery is always the one given with love and made to endure.