What’s the Story Behind the Mother’s Ring?

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma, Mutter, Madre, Mami, or Mamacita – it doesn’t matter what we call them. What’s important is how we honor, appreciate, and celebrate them for all they do… and have done. Of course, I have a few Mother’s Day appreciation ideas to share! ❤️

The Mother’s Day holiday tradition in the United States (US) started around 1908 when Anna Jarvis organized the first celebration in West Virginia to honor her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day – making it a nationally observed holiday in the US.

Other countries also dedicate a day to celebrate mothers around the world (they may call it a different name). Though some nations use the second Sunday in May, celebration dates aren’t all in May. For example, several Arab countries celebrate mothers in March, Thailand’s celebration is in August, and Norway salutes Moms in February.

In the US, families typically pamper their mothers with meals (the moms don’t cook), spa dates, flowers, candy, and jewelry. One of the jewelry suggestions caught my attention because it features gemstones (i.e., birthstones). It’s called the “Mother’s Ring.”

A Mother’s Ring is designed to represent the offspring of the wearer – a mother or grandmother. It’s often worn on the right-hand ring finger showing the birthstones of their children/grandchildren (with or without engraved names). And of course, some moms include their own birthstone in the mix.

The history of the Mother’s Ring isn’t well documented. Some believe they originated in Europe, with a Mother’s Ring being created in the early 1900’s by a jeweler. But other lore suggests the first contemporary ring was designed by a jeweler in the 1960’s. Current designs for the ring are now diverse in style and variation.

The popularity of these rings has grown over the years all over the world – often given by husbands to their wives, by children to their moms, moms to other moms, moms to their moms, or moms to themselves. In addition, families wanting to honor their family’s legacy will include gemstones representing each generation.

As a small-batch jewelry designer who’s obsessed with gemstones, I completely embrace the sentiment behind the Mother’s Ring: a symbol of the love and connection between a mother (or grandmother) and her family! ✨

For your convenience, I’ve reviewed birthstone combinations for you by cross-checking the gemstones and birth months in the blog titled: A Comprehensive Guide to Birthstones (by Month & Zodiac) – Part 2 of 3: The Magic of Gemstones.

Check the grid below and find a Mother’s Ring that works for your family. 😍 Remember, the 2-stone rings can be used for the Mom (or grandmother) with 2 children (or grandchildren), or the Mom (or grandmother) and her 1 child (or grandchild). The same approach applies for the 3-stone and 5-stone rings.