Skip to content Skip to navigation

Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design
Blog

Responsible Jewellery Council Certified
Harriet Kelsall's Facebook page Follow Harriet Kelsall on Twitter National Association of Goldsmiths Logo British Jewellers' Association Logo
Harriet Kelsall
22nd November 2010 16:00

Amber baby teething necklaces

 

I went to a friend's party a couple of months ago and met two lovely little boys (aged about 3 and 5) who were both wearing beautiful fully knotted amber necklaces. I have occasionally seen small beaded amber necklaces on young children before too - but I had never known whether there was any significance in these.

They actually looked great on the boys who were wearing white linen shirts and jeans and this gave them a very cool 'surfing' look! I chatted with their mum and she explained that both of her boys have worn them since they were 6 months old because wearing Baltic amber is supposed to reduce the problems that young children have with teething. I asked if it had worked and she said that she couldn't be sure but that they have been cutting their teeth each time without her even knowing they were teething so she said either they would have teethed so easily anyway, or the amber helped!

So I decided to find out more about these and looked into it further. Apparently, in Europe's mainland, amber often worn by young children as a traditional remedy for teething pain and this is only now gaining popularity in the UK.

The amber beads are not for the child to actually chew on - it is claimed that they work by being worn touching the skin and the heat of this releases a tiny tiny amount of oil which is then absorbed into the skin. The necklace is made from Baltic amber which is different form other amber because it contains succinic acid. Succinic acid is a naturally occurring acid in every cell of the human body and has many functions including pain relief, mucous reduction, anti fever and anti inflammatory properties.

I'm not sure if this can really work, but I do know they look very sweet on and you know me, I am always ready for an excuse for good quality jewellery! I think they look brilliant on boys as well as girls. The necklaces are made with very small organically smoothed pieces of amber which feel warm and natural to touch.

I have got some made now with good quality amber, and have one on my little daughter (Eleanor, who is now 14 months old and cutting lots of teeth!). We are also now selling these in our Halls Green showroom too.

Amber baby teething necklaces
Amber baby teething necklaces

Obviously safety is vital:

These teething necklaces should be worn only under supervision.

They are not to be chewed.

These should be worn under the clothing next to the skin.

They are short in length (32cm) to reduce the risk of getting caught on anything and the child will become desensitised to its presence around their neck.

These must not be worn around the neck during naps or night time.

Each bead is softened into a gentle nugget shape with no sharp edges.

Each bead is individually knotted on to cotton so that if a breakage were to occur only one bead would come off the necklace, and their small size makes them much less likely to cause choking should they then be swallowed.

The clasp is made of plastic and if a great strain is put on the necklace, this clasp will give way and allow the necklace to break open before harming the child.

So far so good - Eleanor has been wearing hers for a couple of weeks now and I have noticed a definite reduction in her teething problems. Could be coincidence - but maybe it is helping. I'll let you know how it goes.

Harriet

Harriet Kelsall
 

Archives

Entries by date

RSS Feed

Click here for our Blog RSS Feed

What is RSS?

Weddings Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory

British Blog Directory

Blogarama

Directory of Design Blogs

The Blog Directory

 
 
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP, England
    Phone: +44 (0)1462 790565 Fax: +44 (0)1462 790140 enquiries@hkjewellery.co.uk
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU, England.
    Phone: +44 (0)1223 461333 Fax: +44 (0)1223 365269 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk

Our designs are legally protected by design right and copyright law and cannot be copied.