Jewellery has accompanied humanity since prehistory first as shells and bones, later as gold, gemstones, and intricate metalwork. But beyond its physical beauty, jewellery has always carried meaning. In art and literature, it becomes a language: a symbol of love, wealth, betrayal, memory, identity, and even supernatural power.
This blog explores how jewellery functions across creative disciplines, why it continues to fascinate artists and writers, and how its symbolism evolves with culture.
✨ 1. Jewellery as a Symbol of Status, Wealth & Power
Across cultures and eras, jewellery has been a visual shorthand for social hierarchy.
In Literature
Writers often use jewellery to reveal class, aspiration, or the illusion of wealth.
• Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace
Mathilde Loisel borrows a diamond necklace to appear wealthy, only to discover later that it was fake. The necklace becomes a symbol of society’s obsession with status and the destructive power of appearances.
• John Steinbeck’s The Pearl
Kino’s discovery of a magnificent pearl promises prosperity but instead brings danger and tragedy. The pearl becomes a metaphor for greed and the corrupting nature of wealth.
• Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Ophelia’s jewellery gifts from Hamlet symbolises affection, betrayal, and emotional turmoil.
In Art
Artists have long used jewellery to signal power:
• Egyptian pharaohs depicted with gold collars and lapis lazuli.
• Renaissance portraits featuring pearls to signify purity and nobility.
• Baroque paintings where diamonds and rubies emphasise royal authority.
Jewellery in art is rarely incidental; it is a deliberate visual cue.
❤️ 2. Jewellery as a Symbol of Love, Memory & Human Connection
Jewellery often carries emotional weight far beyond its material value.
In Literature
• Wedding rings universally symbolise commitment and continuity.
• Lockets in Victorian literature often contain portraits or hair, serving as intimate tokens of remembrance.
• In Jane Eyre, jewellery subtly reflects hidden emotional bonds and unspoken affection.
Jewellery becomes a vessel for memory—something characters cling to, hide, or pass down.
In Art
Artists frequently depict jewellery as:
• A lover’s gift
• A family heirloom
• A symbol of mourning (e.g., Victorian jet jewellery)
• A marker of personal identity
Portrait miniatures set into brooches or pendants were early forms of wearable art—literal intersections of jewellery and portraiture.
🌀 3. Jewellery as a Symbol of Temptation, Greed & the Supernatural
Jewellery often embodies darker themes.
In Literature
• Tolkien’s One Ring
Perhaps the most iconic example: a piece of jewellery representing power, corruption, and temptation.
• Fairy tales often feature enchanted rings, cursed necklaces, or magical gems that test characters’ morality.
Jewellery becomes a narrative catalyst—an object that drives conflict.
In Art
Mythological paintings frequently depict:
• Sirens adorned with pearls to lure sailors
• Gods and goddesses wearing symbolic jewels (e.g., Aphrodite’s girdle)
• Medieval illuminations showing relics and sacred gems believed to hold divine power
Jewellery becomes a bridge between the earthly and the mystical.
🎨 4. Jewellery as an Art Form in Itself
Jewellery is not only depicted in art—it is art.
According to Artenquire Magazine, jewellery has evolved into a standalone artistic discipline, blending sculpture, design, and cultural storytelling.
Modern jewellery artists experiment with:
• Unconventional materials
• Conceptual themes
• Wearable sculptures
• Political or environmental commentary
Jewellery becomes a medium for artistic expression, not just adornment.
🌍 5. Cultural Identity & Symbolism Across Civilisations
Jewellery reflects the values and beliefs of the societies that create it.
Examples include:
• Maasai beadwork representing age, marital status, and community identity
• Indian bridal jewellery symbolising prosperity, protection, and sacred union
• Celtic knotwork representing eternity and interconnectedness
• Indigenous Australian shell necklaces carrying ancestral meaning
In both art and literature, these cultural symbols enrich storytelling and deepen character identity.
🖋️ 6. Why Jewellery Endures as a Creative Motif
Jewellery persists in art and literature because it is:
• Personal — worn on the body, close to the heart
• Portable — carrying stories across generations
• Symbolic — instantly communicating meaning
• Emotional — tied to memory, love, and loss
• Universal — found in every culture
It is a perfect narrative device: small, potent, and deeply human.
📚 References
• Vogue Institute – The Symbolism of Jewelry in Literary Works
• Australian Jewelry Boxes – The Hidden Meanings of Jewellery: Symbolism in Literature and Art Through the Ages
• Artenquire Magazine – Jewelry as an Art Form
