[This article was written by Elegant Roots' friend and designer of our Avenue Green Collection from C5 company, Meghan Connolly Haupt, and originally posted on Meghan's blog. Thanks Meghan for letting us share this with our readers. We have added the Images: Swirl Necklace by C5; El Corazon by Julio Pagliani; and Circle Pendant by C5.]

A “push present” is a gift that a person gives to their partner (the new mom) when she has a baby. Having a baby has always been cause for celebration, but in recent years, more and more women expect and receive a piece of jewelry to commemorate the event. Many women believe that a nice piece of fine jewelry is the least she should get in exchange for 9 months of discomfort that ends in hours of extreme pain.

A 2007 survey of over 30,000 respondents by BabyCenter.com found that 38% of new mothers received a push present, and 55% of pregnant mothers wanted one, though fewer thought it was actually expected.

While I am not fond of the term “push present,” a gift of jewelry is always a terrific way to mark a significant event in life, such as having a baby. Most likely, any jewelry associated with such a wonderful event will be proudly worn and then passed down for generations to come.

Whether it is a necklace, ring, earrings or bracelet, consider a piece that is fair-trade or ethically sourced. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but by being sustainable, it will be that much more special.

[Elegant Roots offers many choices for the perfect "push present." Heirloom-quality pieces are the best -- timeless design, timeless quality, including pieces from the Avenue Green Collection.]