From the ancient Roman and Greek rulers to modern royals like Meghan Markle, initial necklaces have stood the test of time as a sophisticated bauble of choice. We wear them to express our personality, show our love for our partners and, as mamas, keep our little ones close to our hearts throughout the day.

And it’s no surprise they’ve endured. Made from gold, silver or other precious metals, initial necklaces (also known as letter necklaces or monogram necklaces) are the simplest form of personalized jewelry. They can be delicate and understated, or worn as a statement piece to add a personal touch to any outfit. Solid metals are always in style, but you can also add a pop of color with pave birthstones as well. Like huggie hoops, they’re timeless and easy to wear whether you’re dashing to a pilates class or hitting the town for a much-needed date night.

Related: 17 mama necklaces you’ll want to wear 24/7

When you wear it solo, a monogram necklace takes center stage. Dainty single letters go with everything from your favorite T-shirts and jeans to sparkly party outfits. Alternatively, you can stack up the letters of your kids and loved ones to create a unique piece you’ll treasure forever.

Of course, it’s all up to your personal style, but right now we love the layered look. Start with choker length initial necklace and add a bolder piece or two in a longer length. (They pair perfectly with that mama necklace you never take off!)

We’ve rounded up some of our favorites across a variety of styles and price points that make the perfect gifts for new moms –from birthdays to holidays, push presents to honoring the birth of your bestie’s new baby.

Our favorite letter necklaces

Kinn Love Letter Charm Necklace

Kinn

Love Letter Charm Necklace

$320

We’re seriously swooning over the vintage vibes of Kinn’s Love Letter Charm Necklace. Like the rest of their collection, it’s made from 14k solid gold which can be worn 24/7, achieving instant heirloom status. Have more than one kiddo or already rock an everyday piece you never take off? No problem. The script initials can also be purchased separately to stack or add to your favorite chain.

Hello Adorn Tiny Dot Initial Necklace

Hello Adorn

Tiny Dot Initial Necklace

$44

Each of the delicate Tiny Dot Initial Necklaces from Hello Adorn are handmade to order in their small Eau Claire, Wisconsin studio. Add as many letter discs as you’d like or opt to engrave a disc with one of their Tiny Vibes symbols. Since they’re made from high quality brass coated with a layer of 14k gold, they look and wear just like styles that cost three times as much. Aside from swimming, I never take mine off and they look as good as the day they were made!

Bubs & Sass

Bubs & Sass

Retro Gold Initial Necklace

$26

For a statement piece that doesn’t break the bank, we’re totally smitten with the Art Deco inspired, Studio 54-esque Retro Gold Initial Necklace from Bubs & Sass. The chunky number is bound to get all the compliments!

Hello Adorn Blair Initial Necklace

Hello Adorn

Blair Initial Necklace

$88

So good we had to pick two from Hello Adorn. We love the bold link chain paired with the organic feel of the hammered edge charm. It’s just unique enough to stand out but subtle enough to layer with other staples.

Tangerine Jewelry Shop Initial and Pearl Charm Necklace

Tangerine Jewelry Shop

Initial and Pearl Charm Necklace

$39

Pearls are really having a moment, but at the same time, they’re a total classic. This budget-friendly style pairs a freshwater pearl with a petite initial disc to create a piece that’s endlessly wearable.

Merci Maman Personalized Initial Necklace

Merci Maman

Personalized Initial Necklace

$99

Dainty and sweet, the Personalized Initial Necklaces from Merci Maman are hand-engraved with the letters of your choosing. You can choose from three shapes (star, circle and heart) to mix and match or wear solo. They also come in sterling silver and 18k rose gold plating as well.

Stone and Strand Bubble Tea Initial Pendant

Stone and Strand

Bubble Tea Initial Pendant

$150

The Bubble Tea Initial Pendants from Stone and Strand are giving us some real Jeff Koons vibes and we’re totally here for it.  Made from 10k gold plate over sterling silver, it’s a playful piece that’s sure to rack up tons of “where did you get that” requests.

haus of jewelry ever collection

Haus of Jewelry

Ever Collection

$75

The fluid forms of Haus of Jewelry’s Ever Collection feel like miniature artworks. Each charm is available in three sizes and four finishes.

Tiny Tags Circle Initial Tag Necklace

Tiny Tags

Initial Circle Necklace

$95

The simple initial discs from Tiny Tags make the perfect addition to a growing charm collection but stand out all on their own as well. Each one is laser engraved with lower or upper case letters and can even have their birthdate engraved on the back.

Prices start at $70.

Catbird Dollhouse Locket

Catbird

Dollhouse Locket

$58

Is there a necklace that’s sweeter than a teeny tiny locket? We think not. Designed and manufactured in their Brooklyn studio, the Catbird Dollhouse Locket is perfect for the vintage-loving mama who wants to keep her loved ones close to her heart at all times. A single script initial is etched into the front and it’s available in sterling silver and 14k gold.

Prices start at $58

Caitlyn Minimalist Dainty Initial Tag Necklace

Caitlyn Minimalist

Dainty Initial Tag Necklace

$28

Minimalist mamas will appreciate this delicate style which features a single letter monogrammed onto a teensy tag. You can add up to three on a single chain and choose from three different fonts.

Digby & Iona Nagini Letter Charms

Digby & Iona

Nagini Letter Charms

$98

If you prefer a look that’s a bit more spicy than sweet, check out the recycled 14k gold Nagini Letter Charms from Digby & Iona. Look close and you’ll find each letter is a shaped by a coiled, crimped or criss-crossed serpent. Wear them solo, stacked or as part of the coolest charm necklace of all time.

Gold Hill Jewelry Lowercase Initial Necklace

Gold Hill Jewelry

Lowercase Initial Necklace

$92

For a little something extra, the 14k gold pieces from Gold Hill Jewelry can be personalized with a variety of symbols in addition to letters. The dainty design can accommodate up to six letters and symbols so it’s great for mamas with a big crew!

Maya Brenner Asymmertical Initial Necklace

Maya Brenner

Asymmetrical Initial Necklace

$325

The celeb-loved Asymmetrical Initial Necklace is one of those never-take-it-off pieces that goes with literally everything. Instead of your typical charm, the sophisticated piece can be designed with one or two initials that sit off-center near your collarbone. It’s a true stunner!

Verse Fine Jewelry Letter Necklace

Verse Fine Jewelry

Letter Necklace

$480

Whether you go with the pavé diamonds or the simple, sophisticated 18k solid gold, the Verse Letter Necklace is sure to stun. (No surprise it’s been spotted on Meghan Markle multiple times!) Each one is made to order on an adjustable chain and so easy to wear that you’ll never want to take it off.

Flaire & Co. Perfectly Dainty Initial Necklace

Flaire & Co.

Perfectly Dainty Initial Necklace

$21

The perfect style if you’re looking for an everyday necklace you don’t ever have to take off and also don’t want to spend a ton of money. Since it’s made from 18k gold plated stainless steel it’s durable and dainty.

Anthropologie Monogram Pendant Necklace

Anthropologie

Monogram Pendant Necklace

$26.60

We’ve been smitten with this bold style since the first time we spotted it on Alexis Rose. A statement letter necklace for less than $30? Love that for you.

Starling Initial Birthstone Necklace

Starling

Initial Birthstone Necklace

$400

Add a pop of color with the Initial Birthstone Necklace from Starling. Each one is crafted from a collection of pavé set gemstones that shimmer and shine just like you do. Choose the correlating birthstone or simply opt for your favorite stone instead.