Best Personalized Christmas Gifts for Mom - Make It Special

Personalized Christmas gifts for mom are one of the easiest ways to show your mom how much she means to you. Now, all you need to do is find the best gift ideas that make her happy. Let us help you out by suggesting some of Waxing Poetic’s most meaningful personalized jewelry gifts for mom.

Personalized Initial Gifts

Whether you’re looking for gift ideas for moms only or you’re interested in personalized mom and daughter gifts, you can satisfy both of these desires by choosing initial jewelry pieces. Moms of all ages and walks of life who enjoy boho style jewelry can appreciate the following handcrafted jewelry items. Initials make your gift personal in a way that no other piece of jewelry can, and that’s a big plus when she opens up her gift box to see what’s inside.

Custom Articulated Oval Monogram Pendant

Impress your mom with an elegant oval-shaped pendant made of the finest sterling silver. Her initials appear prominently in the center of the oval in shiny brass. Vintage brass accents at the pendant’s top and bottom enhance its classy, good looks.

Nomad Insignia A-Z

For moms who walk their life path with a spirited self-assured confidence, this striking single initial pendant is sure to be a pleasant surprise. A single letter is rendered in striking bold strokes, which is contrasted with slender sterling silver lines.

Heartbond Intertwined Initials Pendant

She’s always showing everyone else how much she loves and cares by giving to others in countless ways. Now, it’s time to give that love back to her in the form of this beautiful sterling silver heart pendant. Her first and last name initials are intriguingly intertwined for a unique custom touch.

Heliotrope Intertwined Initials Pendant

Her smile is as bright as the sun whenever she enters a room, and you want to let her know how much you appreciate her warmth, humor and wisdom. This beautiful sunburst pendant combines a dark sterling silver center with rays of bright brass. Her intertwined initials also gleam in brass and silver.

Write-On Cuff

Do you have a favorite phrase you’d like to put on a piece of jewelry for mom? Choose this cuff bracelet in brass or silver and your desired font style and we’ll add your words, or her name, to make it uniquely special.

Personalized Lifestyle Gifts

Another way to personalize your mom’s Christmas jewelry gift is by choosing jewelry pieces that resonate with her personality or lifestyle. Here are some top choices from our collections.

Bee Brave Pyrite

Bees are beautiful and your mom is going to love receiving this gorgeous Bee Brave pendant for Christmas. Exquisite detailing in sterling silver and brass captures the essence of the bee, and sparkling pyrite adds the finishing touch of sweet richness.

Amor Fati Cross Pendant Necklace

This cross pendant crafted of sterling silver and brass has a wonderful hand-crafted vintage look that gives it timeless appeal. Rows of crystals gleam and sparkle in the light. This is a great choice for a mom who embraces her faith and relies on it for comfort and strength.

Kristal Binary Stars Necklace

Let mom know that she’s a star in your eyes with this bright ensemble necklace. A star charm with the word “you” inscribed on it dangles next to a charm featuring a constellation of Kristal crystals.

Kristal Earrings and Bangle

Her eyes will light up when she sees the glimmering brilliance of this elegant gift set with matching teardrop earrings and Kristal hinge bangle. It’s a stellar choice for a deserving mom.

 

Top Gifts for Your Daughter in Holiday Season

Daughters are special and watching them grow from a child into a thriving adult is one of life’s wonderful pleasures. By now, you’ve gotten to know her pretty well and you have seen her personality bloom before your eyes. This holiday season is a great time to give them a jewelry gift filled with meaning.

At Waxing Poetic, we conceive and create handmade jewelry that truly helps your gift recipient express herself in her own unique way. To start your gift planning, here are some great Christmas gift ideas for your wonderful daughter.

Gifts for Teen Daughters

Her teenage years are a time for her to explore who she is while asserting her independence. You can select jewelry gifts that let her express her feelings about family, friends and the journey of life that’s spread out before her. It also should be jewelry that makes her feel good inside and something she’ll enjoy wearing with her outfits.

Bee Brave Honeypearl Bee Charm

This bee charm is buzzingly cute and she’ll love its adorable body crafted of sterling silver and brass. The fine detailing of the bee’s upper body and wings make it easy to identify. The beautiful white pearl that forms its lower body represents how precious she is to you and all who love her. She may also appreciate receiving a gift that allows her to show support for a save the bees campaign.

Ever Open Heart Necklace

If your teen loves heart jewelry, this gorgeous heart-shaped necklace is an easy choice. Crafted of sterling silver, it’s a wonderful way to say “I love you” with a piece of jewelry.

Cheryl Strayed: The Path Medallion Necklace

This necklace features a pendant with inspired words to live by: When the path reveals itself, follow it. This simple message encourages her to always follow a path that is clear and promises to lead her to good things.

 

Gifts for Adult Daughters

You and your adult daughter have come to appreciate each other for the unique human beings you are, and your jewelry gift can be a powerful reminder of your special bond. These jewelry pieces help her express her individuality, her connection to you and the lifestyle she’s created for herself.

Amor Fati Single Cross Pendant

Amori Fati means “love of fate” and this handcrafted cross pendant gleams in the light from rows of twinkling Kristal crystals. Brass and sterling silver combine to create a timeless antique look that she’ll love wearing with casual and dressy outfits.

Nomad Insignia A-Z Pendant

She leaves a distinctive impression on everyone who meets her, and this initial pendant makes a great personalized gift for someone so vibrant. It’s a bold statement piece in brass and sterling silver.

Bee Brave Pyrite Pendant

Here’s another version of our popular bee pendant. This time, we’ve paired brass and sterling silver with pyrite, and it’s cut in a way that makes it sparkle in the light.

I Am Beautiful Cuff

Give your daughter a lasting jewelry gift that provides her with a constant reminder of how beautiful she is inside and out. Powerful words are etched onto a brass cuff.

Stanza Juliette Bracelet

Brass and sparkling Kristal crystals make this a special gift bracelet for a daughter who deserves only the best life has to offer. It’s also a charm bracelet and you (or she) can find an array of charms to add to this gorgeous piece.

Fall 2020 Sneak Peek

Mother’s Day Jewelry Ideas that Make Thoughtful Gifts

Hand-Crafted Jewelry for Mom

Letting Her Know She’s Always in Your Heart

Mothers, just like jewelry, come in different shapes and sizes — and we adore them all. When it comes time to honor the women who brought us (or our children) into this great big world of ours, a gift of jewelry for mom is a time-honored and straightforward, yet oh-so-elegant way of displaying your love, care and devotion for her.

While we can't cover all possible jewelry gift ideas for Mother’s Day in such a relatively short post, we can at least give you some helpful suggestions. We’ll dish up a variety of accessories below, ranging from gold plated bangles and sterling silver pendants to mixed metal jewelry that will put an appreciative smile on your mother’s (or wife's, partner's, or grandmother's) face.

Gold-Plated Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Some women prefer silver, while others prefer gold. If you're not sure what kind of precious metal the mothers in your life lean toward, pay attention to the type of jewelry they typically wear or perhaps ask one of their dearest friends (hopefully someone who can keep a secret) for a bit of jewelry-shopping advice.

As you look around, you’ll quickly realize that some women definitely lean toward gold-plated jewelry, gold-plated chains, or are partial to tastefully designed gold-plated bangles that clang about. If you know someone who falls into this category, Waxing Poetic has plenty of outstanding Mothers’ Day gift ideas (in gold) that will bring joy to the women you cherish most.

Our impressive 18K gold-plated Good Verbs Necklaces, with doves, butterflies and other cleverly-designed pendants (with sparkling Kristal centerpieces) are refined, uplifting presents that let you express your love in the most playful ways.If the woman you’re struggling to find the perfect Mother’s Day jewelry ideas for enjoys donning bangles on occasion (or on a daily basis), our Good Verbs collection has your gift-giving needs covered. The hand-wrought 18K gold-plated Giving Bangle — with a Kristal crystal in the palm of a tiny hand — exudes a stylish acknowledgment of the love and helping hands mothers offer us throughout our lives.

Sterling Silver Jewelry for Mom

If your wife, mother, or loved one shies away from gold and is more of a sterling silver jewelry kind of gal, Waxing Poetic has a sophisticated collection of sterling silver rings, sterling silver bracelets and other silver accessories that are bound to please her as well.When on the hunt for Mother’s Day gift ideas, it’s hard to go wrong with a sterling silver bracelet. The sterling silver Artesima bracelet (also coming in brass) — woven by hand to create a sophisticated wirework lace — can be worn as a simple adornment. This beautiful bracelet can also be embellished with sterling silver charms to give it a little more pizazz, if so desired (not that it needs any help at all).If you’re confident you know the ring size of the intended recipient of your Mother’s Day jewelry gift, you can impress her with our Kristal Stellarium Cocktail Ring, with its lattice of midnight Kristal crystals enclosed in a sterling silver bezel. And if the mothers you hang out with prefer something more subdued, our sterling silver Little Goes Far Openness Ring — with its large floral pattern, sparkling crystal petals and Kristal crystal center stone — will add a breath of fresh air to their jewelry collections. This eye-catching ring will likely soon become one of her favorite pieces to wear.
Mixed Metal Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

Maybe the women in your life have no particular preference when it comes to silver or gold, or perhaps they like to mix things up a bit now and again That’s why we’ve put together our mixed metal jewelry collection.Our Heart's Content Charm takes the mixed metal jewelry aesthetic and runs with it. This handsome charm is an amalgamation of brass, sterling silver and Kristal crystals. With a brass heart at its center, this piece can be hung from a bracelet (crafted from any metal she chooses) or a necklace, allowing the women you love to be creative, and put their own personal stamp on how this pendant should be worn.If two-tone jewelry and two-tone bracelets seem like your kind of Mother’s Day gift ideas, our loose-fitting brass and sterling silver Connection Bracelet should definitely do the present-bestowing trick. With links alternating between brass and silver, this bracelet has been fashioned to work alone as a graceful accessory — and of course, blends well with an assortment of dangling charms.When it comes to mixed metal jewelry in the form of pendants, Waxing Poetic has a stunning selection for you to choose from for Mother's Day. From our A Light Heart is Free Dove (sterling silver, brass and Kristal crystals) or our brass and sterling Silver Hand of Fortune Pendant (with its open palm embracing the stars) to our nautically-themed two-tone silver and brass Seaward Compass Pendant, or our Vista Pendant (evoking images of open horizons) — you'll find plenty of gorgeous mixed metal jewelry to hand out come Mother's Day.

How to Clean Different Types of Jewelry

The jewelry you wear, regardless if it's a piece you picked out for yourself as a special treat, or it was a gift from someone dear to you, often defines how you feel about yourself, reflecting your sense of style and mood back to the broader world. When sterling silver, brass, bronze or copper rings, pendants and necklaces become tarnished (thanks to oxidization), losing their sparkle, you might — figuratively speaking, of course — temporarily lose a bit of your sparkle as well.

Thankfully, if you want to know how to clean silver jewelry, or clean tarnished jewelry (brass, bronze, copper) at home, the steps involved are relatively simple to follow. As we look at different types of metal, you'll notice a consistent theme behind the various cleaning methods, as well as a similarity among the items — like white vinegar, lemon juice, a soft cloth, baking soda, plus a few other ingredients — you’ll need to gather to restore the glistening shine to your beloved bodily adornments.How to Clean Sterling Silver

When confronted with a piece of tarnished silver jewelry, your best bet is to follow a few easy steps and learn how to clean jewelry with baking soda. You’ll need baking soda, obviously, aluminum foil, and in some tougher cases, white vinegar to boot.

1. Line the bottom of a small ceramic dish or bowl with aluminum foil.
2. Prep a solution of baking soda and water, or for more challenging cases baking soda and white vinegar. About 1/2 cup of hot water or white vinegar to 2 tbsp. of baking soda should do the trick.
3. Set your sterling silver jewelry inside the bowl lined with aluminum foil, making sure as much of the silver as possible is in contact with the foil. Pour the solution over the jewelry and soak for several hours.
4. After soaking your silver, rinse it under cold water, then gently dry it with a soft cloth. And voilà, your cherished sterling silver jewelry should now be tarnish-free.

How to Clean Brass and Bronze Jewelry

Does brass tarnish? Sadly, for owners of brass or bronze jewelry, it does. Bronze and brass are both alloys (bronze is made up of copper and tin, while brass is composed of copper and zinc). When these alloys come into contact with oxygen, oxidation occurs, creating a greenish patina layer, similar in color to the Statue of Liberty, which is actually oxidized brown copper plating that turned green after years of exposure to the open air.

Don’t give up hope if your favorite brass bracelet or bronze chains have gone a little “green.” If you’d like to know how to clean bronze jewelry, or brass jewelry at home, follow the helpful instructions below.

1. Plop a tablespoon of baking soda into a small bowl, then gently pour lemon juice over the baking soda until you’ve created a pliable paste (stir to test).
2. Take a soft cloth (nothing abrasive) or an old toothbrush and apply, then rub the paste onto your tarnished jewelry.
3. After carefully polishing your brass or bronze items with your lemon and baking soda paste, rinse them under a stream of cold water, then buff and dry your jewelry with a soft cloth.

How to Clean Copper Jewelry

Want to know how to clean copper jewelry? The steps involved are similar to cleaning silver, brass, and bronze — but with a salty twist. With copper, simply soak your jewelry in a bowl, immersed in a solution of vinegar and salt. You can also make a thicker paste with salt and vinegar (reminds us of our favorite potato chips) to rub stubborn tarnish stains away. As always, rinse your copper jewelry under cold water, then dry with a soft cloth.

How to Measure Ring Size for a Perfect Fit

Fingers, as you know, come in a variety of different sizes. While this endearing feature is what makes us all so wonderfully unique, from our hands (literally) down to our feet, it can cause a bit of consternation for the uninitiated when measuring ring sizes at home. But fret not, because the designers and jewelers at Waxing Poetic know a thing or two about ring sizing for women, and how to measure ring size for men as well.

How to Measure Ring Size

If you want to measure ring size, most likely for a gift or when ordering online (if only for yourself, you can have your measurements taken by professionals at a jewelry store), you’ll come across several methods, that when performed correctly, should yield accurate results.

You want a snug fitting ring, that’s easy to slip on and off, but not so loose your precious ring is in danger of arbitrarily falling off — yet not so tight it will cause you discomfort or pain.

Before measuring, make sure you know what ring sizes you’re working with. In the United Stated, rings sizes range from around 3.5 (14.4 mm) to 13.5 (22.8 mm). You can find and download conversion charts online that match different international measurements (mm) with international ring-size standards. For US sizes, refer to the chart below:

Measurements (mm)	US Ring Sizes
14.4 mm	3½
14.8 mm	4
15.2 mm	4½
15.6 mm	5
16.0 mm	5½
16.5 mm	6
16.9 mm	6½
17.3 mm	7
17.7 mm	7½
18.2 mm	8
18.6 mm	8½
19.0 mm	9
19.4 mm	9½
19.8 mm	10
20.2 mm	10½
20.6 mm	11
21.0 mm	11½
21.4 mm	12
21.8 mm	12½
22.2 mm	13
22.6 mm	13½

Ring Sizing with Floss or String

Almost everyone has some string or a box of dental floss lying around the house. One of the simplest methods to employ when measuring ring size is to cut, then wrap a piece of string or floss around the base of your finger, just below the knuckle. Mark the point where one end of the string meets or overlaps the other end with a pen.

Don’t pull the floss or string too tight, which can distort your measurements. Measure several times to make sure you're getting an accurate reading. Once you have a piece of marked string or floss, measure it against a millimeter ruler, then compare it to a ring-sizing chart (like the one above) to gauge your ring size.

Ring Sizing with a Tape Measure or a Ring-Sizing Tool

If string, floss and an old-fashioned ruler don’t appeal, you can always get your hands on a ring-sizing tool. A jeweler will sell you one, and in many cases, give you one for free (they’re not expensive). You can order plastic ring sizers online, some designed for women, some for women and men. The latter is perfect if you’re worried about how to measure ring size — men being the "owners" of the fingers you’re planning to size up.

If you want to know how to measure ring size with a tape measure, follow the basic steps we've already laid out. But use a cloth tape measure instead of string or floss to gauge the circumference of your finger before comparing your marked tape measurements to the appropriate sizing chart.

The Various Lengths of Necklaces and How to Wear Them

Necklaces comes in all shapes and sizes, and finding the right one to complement your style and wardrobe is important. When ordering a necklace online, it should come with the chain length, but if you aren’t sure what this means, then it’s just another number. Here are some ways to figure out necklace length and find the right fit.

Different Types of Necklace Lengths

In general, there are six different necklace lengths. These include:

• Choker
• Collar
• Princess
• Matinee
• Opera
• Rope or Lariat

Each of them comes in a different length, and determining which option is right for your will depend on the look you are trying to create. Let’s get into a little more detail about each type.

Choker

On average, a choker necklace will be 14 inches in length. They are designed to wrap closely around your neck and are often worn with a high-necked top or dress. However, they can be worn with any outfit if you are looking to make a fun, bold statement.

CollarA collar necklace sits right at the base of your neck and is a good option when accessorizing tops or dresses with a high neckline. These necklaces are 16 inches in length and aren’t as tight as a choker. These are usually worn to make a statement, so finding one that is colorful and/or large is a good decision.

Princess

This is the most common necklace length and falls just below your throat at the collarbone. In general, this necklace is 18 inches in length and will work for just about any outfit you pair this type of necklace with. Whether you are wearing a fine chain or a bold piece, the princess length is ideal for everyday wear.

Matinee

The length of this necklace falls between 20 and 22 inches, and it will sit right above your bust line. This necklace style is often worn with plunging necklines or for individuals who feel like 18 inches of necklace feels too short.

There is also a 24-inch matinee necklace that you can add to your wardrobe. You’ll need to consider that it is meant to lay on top of your clothing and is often worn to make a statement. These necklaces will fall just below the center of your bust. This matinee necklace is a great addition to business or casual wear, and they often come in bold colors or with multiple strands so that they stand out.

Opera

Opera necklaces have a tendency to be more formal than shorter necklaces. They hang below the bust and can be worn with high necklines or eveningwear. They average 30 inches in length.Rope or Lariat

This necklace hangs well below your bust and may reach all the way to your navel. In general, they are 36 inches in length and add something extra to business or eveningwear. Although, they can add some elegance and sophistication to casual wear as well. It’s advised that you don’t wear a rope necklace with a plunging neckline, as this won’t pair well with the necklace’s length.

Now that you have a better idea of the types and lengths of necklaces that exist, you can find the pieces that will express your individual style and add something extra to any outfit you put on.

How to Store Jewelry to Keep it from Getting Damaged

After investing the time, effort and money to find the jewelry that you love, it can be incredibly frustrating to place it in a jewelry box and have it get damaged or tarnished. If you’re looking for some tips on how to keep your necklaces, rings and bracelets looking good, check out the suggestions listed below.

Everything in Its Own Place

One of the best ways to keep your jewelry from getting damaged when placed in a jewelry box is to ensure that each piece has its own place. It’s possible to find jewelry boxes with various compartments and sections. Placing your rings in the slots specifically designated for them will keep them from tangling with necklace chains or getting lost among bracelets. Placing earrings in their own section will ensure that you always know where each pair is.

In addition to putting your jewelry in its designated area, you should also separate your pieces into the types of metal they are made from. Keep all of your gold items together and separate your silver items from your fine jewelry and your costume jewelry. If the various metals touch, this can cause an interaction that can lead to tarnishing. To keep your jewelry looking fantastic and tarnish-free, give each type their own space and compartment in your jewelry box.

Keep it Clean and Dry

Another way to prevent your rings and other jewelry from becoming damaged when stored in a jewelry box is to make sure it’s clean and dry before you put it away. Moisture tarnishes and degrades all metal quickly. Thus, if your jewelry got wet because you were out in the rain or you just washed your hands or showered, make sure to dry it thoroughly before you put it away. Use a lint-free cloth to help with this endeavor.

Dirt and other grime can also lead to your jewelry becoming tarnished, so if your pieces have been exposed to any kind of debris, make sure to clean and dry them before putting them away. One of the easiest ways to clean your jewelry is to mix a few drops of mild dish detergent into lukewarm water.

You’ll then soak your pieces for a few moments, using a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any stuck-on dirt and debris. Make sure to dry your jewelry with a lint-free cloth before putting it away.



Store Your Favorite Pieces Where they Can be Seen

If you have necklaces or other pieces of jewelry that you adore and wear on a frequent basis, you might consider storing these in an area where they can be seen and are easy to grab. You have the option of getting hooks or a wall jewelry organizer that will keep your favorite items organized, visible and easy to access.

You might also consider placing a dish or small jewelry box on your nightstand for earrings or rings that you forgot to take off before heading to bed. You’ll still be able to find them quickly and easily when you’re ready to wear them again, but they’ll also be contained and organized.

It can be challenging finding jewelry that expresses your style and makes you feel really good. Thus, when you do find the pieces that you adore, you’ll want to take care of them so that they last for a long time. How you store them is important, and keeping them separated, clean and easy to access will help keep them from getting damaged or tarnished.

Everything You Need to Know About Signet Rings

Traditionally, a signet ring was a symbol of family heritage. Many of the first versions of this ring bore the family crest or coat of arms. The image was engraved into the ring in reverse so that it could be pressed into hot wax or soft clay and used to seal a document. The recipient of the document would know that it was authentic because of the symbol in the wax.

Signet rings go by many names, including “seal rings” because of their function to seal letters, as well as a “gentleman’s ring” because it was often worn by the male heirs in the family. In modern times, both men and women wear signet rings.

Modern Signet Rings

In the past, signet rings were only worn by those in the upper class, so they were often associated with elitism. Today, anyone can have a signet ring. Many people still decide to have their family crests engraved into the ring, but this isn’t the only option. It’s also possible to get your initials or any other picture you like included in the ring.

Currently, some rings are worn to symbolize membership in a club. The most common wearers of signet rings include Freemasons or military personnel, who wears rings that symbolize their rank or what branch of the military they are in. As these rings grow in popularity, people are wearing them every day with their outfits or using them as wedding rings. How to Recognize a Signet Ring

Despite the fact that signet rings can come in many shapes and sizes and include a crest, initials or other photo, there are some common traits that set these apart from other rings. More often than not, they have a flat bezel and a design is engraved in intaglio, which means that it is raised and can leave an impression if pressed into wax or other soft materials.

While these two traits have to be present to make the ring a signet ring, determining the design, size and shape will be up to your personal preference and style. Some of the most common shapes include the following:

• Oxford Oval – the most traditional and popular shape for signet rings
• Round – a more contemporary and modern option
• Marquise – gives the ring a more sophisticated and elegant shape
• Cushion – this is a square-shaped ring that was popular during the Victorian era

How to Wear a Signet Ring

Traditionally, signet rings were worn on the pinkie finger of a person’s non-dominant hand. This would make it easier to use it for its intended purpose, which was sealing a document. Today, many people still abide by this rule, but not everyone does.

There are no longer any hard and fast rules when it comes to wearing a signet ring, so you are allowed to wear it on the finger that feels most comfortable. As mentioned, some people where them as wedding rings, so they will be found on the ring finger of their left hand. Others wear them on their middle or first finger.

Signet rings are often worn to make a bold statement or show off heritage. They add something unique and special to your style, whether you wear them for special occasions or every day.