The Tough As A Mother Tribe Jewelry Line Unites Mothers Through Stylish Pieces That Reinforce Good Energies And Bond Them Together
Tough As A Mother Tribe is a small business based in Santa Barbara, CA from founder and jewelry maker, Jennifer Cervantes. She originally launched the line to reconnect with the joys of being a mom and share her story with others. The unique accessories feature quality gemstones and are meant to unite all mothers on their journey through motherhood.
Check out our full Q&A below.
Q: How did you get the initial idea to make jewelry?
I had made jewelry since I was a young girl. I had 3 brothers and grew up in the mountains; so, after we were done playing outside, jewelry was always the thing that I did alone as a meditation and creative outlet. When I was dealing with so many struggles as a new mom, I always turned to jewelry to heal myself and wanted to share my (love) with others.
Q: Which piece did you design first?
The first piece I designed was the “TOUGH” bracelet. I needed a daily reminder that I was TOUGH and could make it through each day. Having a bracelet that I constantly saw on my wrist while changing diapers, making snacks, calming my toddler down, acted as a constant, daily that I was not alone in motherhood and I was a tough mama!
Q: What has been the toughest part about starting the business?
Having to be the face of the brand and sharing my story about miscarriage, anxiety, losing my breast milk, mom guilt…all the things. But, I know that sharing my story and creating resources helps another mom then I know that I am staying true to my mission.
Q: What’s something you’re looking to accomplish with the brand this year?
I’m looking to create meaningful content and resources to serve mamas who are dealing with common motherhood struggles, including miscarriage, anxiety, overwhelm, mom guilt, etc… I also enjoy holding free mommy and child events, such as an art class or Spanish class! These help to bring moms from all over together and also creates a space for children to bond with their parents in a fun, virtual setting.
Q: Can you offer any advice for other moms starting a business?
My advice for moms starting a business would be YOU CAN do it. It’s not easy but, if you have a strong WHY for your business and practice time management, it’s possible. I’m proof! I started this in the pandemic with an infant and a 2-year-old!
Q: Can you tell me about the gems featured in the jewelry?
Mothers need all the help they can get – from surviving epic tantrums, to long and lonely days with younger kids that seem to drag on forever. Moms of older children need a little extra dose of strength and patience as they watch their children navigate the world on their own, encountering the challenges and heartbreaks that make up a whole life experience. Tough as a Mother Tribe empowers women around the world to use gemstones, and the power they hold to change our mindset, our mood, and the energy we send back out into the world. Here are a few of my favorites, and what they’ve meant to me throughout my motherhood journey.
Labradorite
What if we could live out our motherhoods with clear minds, positive thoughts, and with a deep connection to our powerful intuition? This stone enhances our ability to reconnect with ourselves and our true identity as a mother.
Traits:
Clears worries
Enhances intuitive abilities
Protects from negativity
Promotes strength & perseverance
This is my absolute favorite stone, as every single piece is different and unique. You and 1000 other moms could have a clear quartz that look similar, but with Labradorite, some pieces have flashes of blues or greens, and no two are the same. I could stare at them all day, as if I’m looking into a piece of the universe.
This stone represents motherhood perfectly, as no two mothers or their children are the same, but rather dazzling versions of their own unique selves, each beautiful in a significant and powerful way. When I put on this stone in the morning, which I do every morning, I’m ready to take on anything that motherhood has to throw my way. Our “Good Vibes” necklace brings moms all the powers of the Labradorite.
Blue Chalcedony
Parenting can be full of anxiety, doubt, and fear. But this stone calms our racing minds, balances our thoughts, and increases communication between ourselves and others to help us find a clear path forward, no matter the circumstance.
Traits
Calming
Reduces fear, anger, and doubt
Improves communication
Restores balance
This one is a bit more feminine than I consider myself to be, but it’s also beautiful, and even reminds me of the ocean. Its peaceful vibe really helped me to remember to stay calm during my kids tantrums or when the babies were teething. It also helps us as mothers remember that yes, while we answer to mom all day, we are also women first. We deserve to wear and exude the beauty that we all hold within us, perfectly captured by the peace and calming nature of this stone. Check out a Chalcedony in our “Cool Mama” necklace.
Rose Quartz
While it may not seem like it in many sticky and tricky moments, being a mother can be a joy-filled experience. This stone helps us reconnect with the heart of mothering: our love for our children, and a peaceful and confident journey through life with them.
Traits:
Love
Promotes peace & confidence
Boosts self esteem
Joy
The stone of love is the one gemstone that unites all mothers across the globe through our common and undying love for our own children. Every culture and country has mothers who raise their children vastly differently from one another, but they all share these traits, which we can see clearly when we look at a mom’s face as she watches her kids. We’re talking about the loving look, not the one she gets when her kid climbs across the top of the monkey bars after being warned eight times. Rose quartz possesses both strength and confidence but also femininity and beauty, making it one of the most popular stones to carry us through our days.
Clear Quartz
Oh my, is it hard to wait when you are a worried mama. But this stone promotes patience and perseverance over worry and struggle. The energy you get from this stone will remind you to carry on through trying times, and long and difficult phases.
Traits:
Energy
Perseverance
Patience
Balance
What mother hasn’t spent hours, days, and years worried for the health, happiness, and general wellbeing of her child? From the moment we learn of our pregnancies, the worrying begins–but it doesn’t have to. Clear quartz is the great equalizer, clearing negative energy and returning your anxiety back to neutral. From there, you have the power to choose positivity, allowing you to create the motherhood you want for yourself, your children, and your family. Our “Balanced Mama” necklace clears out the negativity and helps restore your outlook on parenting, and life.
Turquoise
They say it takes a village, and this stone reminds us of the wisdom and friendships necessary to enjoy our motherhoods. True success means not doing it alone and winning, but parenting with our supporters, and having the courage to reach out. We are not alone in parenting, and in life.
Traits:
Balance
Wisdom
Success
Courage
Friendship
You aren’t mothering alone, on an island, and if you are it’s time we change that. My village consists of my mom, who I couldn’t live, parent, or run a business without, and a few sets of good friends who also have young children. But it’s not just about people to watch your kid while you take a business call–it’s about the unseen bond of women across the world, who have been through the same struggles as you and know them well. This is also our village, or our tribe, and nothing better represents this unity than turquoise. A stone rich in history, it’s known to represent friendship and courage, balance and wisdom.
Rainbow Moonstone
From our rainbow babies to seeing a rainbow and being reminded of our grown child who has moved away, this stone is the heart of hope. Our intuition is to hope, and we crave the strength we get from renewed hope daily, which we will remember when we look at this stone.
Traits:
Balance
Hope
Compassion
Strength
Opens intuition
Rainbows carry different meanings for each of us, but for many mothers, a rainbow reminds us of a baby we’ve lost along the way, due to miscarriage or other causes. The rainbow moonstone helps us simultaneously carry these babies with us, giving us strength to endure such challenges, but also renews our hope for the future. Through these struggles, we build compassion for those around us, becoming cognizant of the heavy burdens and griefs they carry with them through their days. I myself know this pain well, and recently gained the courage to share my story https://toughasamothertribe.com/blogs/tough-as-a-mother
Amethyst
Mothers have literally one thousand things to worry about, to decide, and to solve. Amethysts promote decision making with a calm and serene mindset, and with every small decision made, we celebrate a clear and weightless mind that can enjoy the day to day.
Traits:
Alleviate stress/fatigue
Calms mind
Promotes decision making
Serenity
Decision fatigue is a constant worry for mothers, as they make a million tiny decisions each day, that carry meaning and consequences for our families. Amethyst brings me clarity when I wear it on days where I know I’ll be making difficult decisions, or on days when it seems the tons of tiny decisions are taking a toll, causing stress and fatigue. Instead of hiding from these difficult parts of motherhood, let’s acknowledge them together and use the Earth’s resources, such as gemstones and community, to combat them together.
Q: Is there one piece that you wear all the time?
Yes! I always wear Labradorite, my favorite stone. It repels negative energy (mic drop!!!).
Learn More About Founder, Jennifer Cervantes Here
