What Makes Jewellery Meaningful?

There is a reason symbolism has found its way into jewellery for thousands of years.

Long before jewellery was simply an accessory, it was used to communicate identity, beliefs, protection, status, and connection. Across cultures and throughout history, people have worn symbols close to their bodies as reminders of what matters to them.

That idea has always fascinated me.

A lot of my work is influenced by Africa, its landscapes, wildlife, and the rich visual languages found in Adinkra symbols, traditional masks, mud cloth patterns, and carved forms that carry meaning through generations. I am drawn to symbols because they carry stories. They connect us to something larger than ourselves, whether that is history, nature, ancestry, or a shared human experience.

Adinkra Symbols - An Ancient Language of Meaning

One symbol I have used in several pieces is Nsoromma, an Adinkra symbol whose name translates to “child of the heavens.” Represented as a star, it symbolises guardianship and a reminder that we are connected to something greater than ourselves.

In my 9ct gold pieces, I paired this symbol with bright pink sapphires, and I have also returned to it across earrings and necklaces. I love that a simple shape can carry such depth of meaning.

Wildlife Across Cultures - Strength, Balance, and Instinct

Wildlife has also played an important role in my designs.

A leopard may be admired for its beauty, but throughout Africa it has long been associated with strength, leadership, courage, and grace. When I created a one-of-a-kind leopard ring in sterling silver, I was not simply interested in recreating the animal. I was thinking about what it represents and why people continue to be drawn to it. The mulberry spinel forming part of its face and the sapphire detailing along the band were all part of building that sense of presence and intensity.

The crocodile is another symbol that appears in my work. In Setswana, the word for crocodile is Koena. Beyond its physical strength, the crocodile symbolises resilience and balance, moving effortlessly between land and water, between different worlds. There is something powerful about that idea, particularly in times of change and growth. In my Koena silver charm earrings, I wanted that sense of duality to remain present.

Symbols That Carry More Than Form

What I find most interesting is that symbolism works on more than one level.

A piece may carry a traditional meaning that has existed for generations, but the person wearing it often brings their own story as well.

Over the years, I have found that these are the pieces people tend to connect with most deeply. Sometimes the symbolism resonates immediately. Other times, people discover their own meaning in a piece and it becomes linked to a memory, a milestone, a period of growth, or a sense of protection.

That is when jewellery becomes more than decoration.

Why Symbolic Jewellery Stays With Us

A symbolic piece is not just something beautiful to wear. It becomes a reminder, a marker, or a reflection of something important.

And because of that, it often stays with us far longer than jewellery chosen for appearance alone.

These are the pieces that are not easily replaced, because what they represent is not interchangeable.

A Final Thought

For me, that is the enduring power of symbolism.

A piece may begin with one meaning, but it often grows into something uniquely personal over time. A symbol that once caught your eye might eventually remind you of a person, a place, a moment, or simply a chapter of your life.

Perhaps that is what makes meaningful jewellery so special. Its meaning doesn't always stay fixed. It can change with us, gathering memories and stories along the way.

And sometimes, the pieces we treasure most are not the ones we chose because they meant something straight away. They are the ones that became meaningful because of everything that happened while we wore them.

If you are drawn to jewellery with a little more meaning behind it, I invite you to explore the pieces I've created, each with its own story, symbolism or inspiration.