In China, when a new life is born into a family, it is a joyous occasion. To celebrate the baby's one-month birthday, families host a banquet, during which friends and relatives typically gift the baby a longevity lock or silver bracelet as a blessing.
But do you know why silver jewelry is given for a baby’s one-month celebration and why gold is less common?
Why give a longevity lock and bracelet?
Babies are born with weak immune systems, and the longevity lock signifies "locking" in life, also known as a "name lock." It is a traditional Chinese talisman. It is believed that when a child wears a longevity lock, they can borrow the blessings of many families to ward off evil, bring good luck, and live a long life. Wearing the lock is thought to protect the child from disaster and ensure they grow up safely. Silver bracelets are often engraved with auspicious symbols such as good fortune and prosperity, aiming to promote the baby’s health. Both boys and girls can wear them without any specific distinction.
Why is silver more commonly chosen?
According to the historical Chinese text Bencao Gangmu, silver is said to have properties that "calm the internal organs, stabilize the spirit, treat palpitations, strengthen bones, calm the heart, and brighten the eyes." As a result, many places have the custom of giving children silver longevity locks, as they are believed to have a calming effect and ward off evil spirits. Parents believe that once a child wears a silver lock, they can avoid calamities and grow up safely.
Silver is the mainstream material for longevity locks and bracelets, primarily because it is cheaper than gold. Moreover, silver longevity locks are safer for children; even if they are taken out, thieves are less likely to target them for their lower value compared to gold.
Why is gold rarely given?
While many people gift silver longevity locks and bracelets, gold is given much less frequently.
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Compatibility with the child's Five Elements The choice of longevity lock should consider the child's birth date and the Five Elements theory. If a child lacks metal in their elements, gold is appropriate; otherwise, silver locks are preferred.
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Cultural customs In many regions, there is a saying "big gold, small silver," where adults wear gold for marriage, and children wear silver upon birth. If the gifting family adheres to this custom, gifting gold might be seen as inappropriate.
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Fear of attracting thieves Many caregivers are elderly, and if a child wears a gold lock in public, it may attract the attention of potential thieves. If a child is harmed during an attempt to steal, it would be a tragic outcome. Silver longevity locks are safer, as thieves are less inclined to risk stealing them.
Wearing precautions
There are several important considerations for giving a baby a longevity lock to ensure its effectiveness:
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Material safety Babies have delicate skin and weak immunity. If the longevity lock is of poor quality, it may not provide health benefits and could cause problems, such as skin allergies. Therefore, it’s essential for elders to purchase longevity locks from reputable stores. Silver jewelry should be marked with 925 or S925, indicating its quality. Generally, silver jewelry will have a mark, but if it’s difficult to engrave on earrings or rings, a label will usually be included.
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Engravings on the lock If the longevity lock has engravings or designs, the writing should be on the front and the design on the back to enhance its protective abilities.
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Weight limit While the value of gold increases with weight, a child's neck can only handle so much. It’s recommended that the longevity lock weigh no more than 20 grams.
Styles for baby bracelets
For babies, simpler silver bracelets are preferable, often in a round, twisted style. They may feature traditional auspicious patterns like dragons, phoenixes, or the character for good fortune. A plain round bracelet is also suitable, depending on personal preference. Some trendy styles may include bells, but many babies tend to bite these bells, so it's best to avoid them.
Until what age can babies wear silver bracelets?
In fact, babies can start wearing silver bracelets from around 100 days old. If the bracelet is adjustable, children can wear it for several years. However, as they grow, they may become more playful and easily lose the bracelet. Losing a silver bracelet isn’t a major concern as long as it’s not gold. Some children may choose to stop wearing them after the age of three.
How to distinguish real silver bracelets
Although silver bracelets aren’t extremely expensive, distinguishing between pure silver and fake silver is crucial. Fake silver bracelets can harm the skin and lack any real value. Many silver-plated bracelets are sold as genuine silver jewelry, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with jewelry to differentiate.
Part 1 Silver is marked as S99 or S925. For babies, it’s best to choose S99 silver bracelets, while adults can opt for S925. S99 silver is softer than S925 because it has a higher silver content. Authentic silver jewelry will always have a mark, and reputable brand stores provide recognizable labels.
Part 2 The styles of S99 silver bracelets are limited, and exaggerated or avant-garde designs typically cannot be made from pure silver. Therefore, overly extravagant designs are likely either S925 or imitation silver.
Part 3 Pure silver appears bright white, shiny, and is relatively soft. It can be easily bent, and the craftsmanship should be meticulous. Items that look steel-like or are hard are likely fake jewelry.
Part 4 Silver bracelets are usually priced by weight or have a set price. Genuine silver jewelry is not sold cheaply. If you can buy a bracelet for just a few dozen dollars, you should question its authenticity. It’s best to purchase from jewelry stores, even if they are a bit more expensive, as they offer guarantees.
Part 5 There are many identification agencies available. If you’re unsure whether your silver jewelry is genuine, you can have it tested. Testing for gold and silver is straightforward; a machine can quickly determine their purity. The cost is usually low, making it feasible to have third-party verification.
Although silver bracelets are less valuable than gold, they are the most suitable for babies to wear closely. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious in choosing silver content, with pure silver being the best option.
Note: Kipuka is currently designing silver bracelets and longevity locks specifically for babies. Please follow our social media or leave your contact information, and we will notify you as soon as new styles are launched.
