Silver Jewellery for Babies: Kada, Nazariya & Anklets (A Safety Guide)

In most Indian families a baby's first piece of jewellery is silver, and that is not only tradition. Silver is genuinely the right metal for infant skin — but only if you buy the right kind, and there are a few designs that are simply not safe on a baby.

This is a practical guide rather than a sentimental one.

Why silver, specifically

925 sterling silver is nickel-free and hypoallergenic. Infant skin is thinner and far more reactive than adult skin, and nickel — present in most cheap fashion metal — is the most common cause of contact rashes. Silver is also traditionally regarded as a cooling, sattvic metal, which is why it has been the customary choice for babies for centuries.

Avoid gold-plated pieces for infants. Plating wears through, and a baby's jewellery meets far more saliva and rubbing than an adult's.

The safety checklist

Before anything goes on a baby, check all five:

1. No small detachable parts. Anything that can come loose is a choking hazard. Ghungroo bells should be firmly closed onto the chain, not threaded loose.
2. No sharp edges or open wire ends. Run it over your own inner wrist first — if it catches on you, it will catch on them.
3. Correct fit. Loose enough to slide slightly, tight enough not to pass over the hand or foot. A kada that can slip off can be swallowed; one that is too tight restricts circulation.
4. No long chains around the neck. Neck chains on infants are a strangulation risk. Wrists and ankles only until the child is walking and talking confidently.
5. Remove it for sleep. Every time. This is the rule most often broken and the one that matters most.

What to buy, and when

Baby kada

The classic first gift, usually given at a naming ceremony or first birthday. An adjustable kada is worth the small premium because babies grow fast and a fixed-size kada is outgrown within months. See the Adjustable Baby Kada or, for a little colour, the Blue Ball Baby Kada.

Nazariya

The black-bead bracelet, worn to ward off the evil eye. This is the piece most Indian babies wear first and longest. The black beads are the point — they are believed to absorb nazar. Our Prince Baby Nazariya can be personalised with the child's name, which turns it into a keepsake once it is outgrown. For the meaning behind it, read the nazariya and evil eye guide.

Ghungroo anklets

The tiny-bell anklets that let a parent hear where a crawling child has got to — genuinely useful as well as traditional. The bells must be sealed closed. See the Tiny Ghungroo Anklet and the Baby Silver Ghungroo Anklet.

Charm bracelets for toddlers

Once a child is past the everything-goes-in-the-mouth stage, lighter charm bracelets become appropriate — the Racy Red Charm, Tiny Rider or Little Blossom baby bracelets.

Browse everything in the kids' silver jewellery collection.

Caring for it

Baby silver dulls faster than adult silver, because it meets more saliva and milk. That is normal tarnish, not poor quality. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth; skip chemical dips on anything a baby puts in their mouth. Our silver cleaning guide covers the gentle methods.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a baby wear silver jewellery? Kada and anklets are traditionally given from the naming ceremony onwards. There is no medical reason to wait, provided the safety checklist above is followed and the piece is removed for sleep.

Is it safe if the baby puts it in their mouth? Solid 925 silver is inert and non-toxic, which is exactly why it is the traditional choice. The risk is never the metal — it is loose parts and fit.

Why does my baby's silver turn black so quickly? Saliva, milk and sweat all accelerate tarnish. It polishes off and does not mean the silver is fake — see why silver turns black.

Should I buy by weight for a baby? No. Lighter is better and safer on a small limb. Weight matters for adult jewellery value; for babies, comfort and fit win.

Can boys wear nazariya too? Yes — nazariya is worn by babies of every gender, and traditionally the more admired the child, the more it is thought to be needed.