The Psychology of Jewelry: Why Do People Wear Jewelry?

Jewelry is more than just decoration, even if we don’t think about it all that much. But have you ever asked yourself, “Why do people wear jewelry?” The pieces we choose carry psychological, cultural, and even emotional or sentimental significance. While some jewelry is chosen simply for its appearance, many designs are influenced by centuries-old traditions or align with current trends.

Our jewelry choices reflect our personality and emotional connections and are often shaped by popular culture or historical influences. We may wear sentimental jewelry to remember the person who gifted it or wear a piece for its symbolic meaning. There’s a lot that goes into the psychology of jewelry and why we wear what we wear — let’s explore what those factors are.

Emotional & Sentimental Jewelry Connections

Sentimental jewelry holds meaning to the wearer. It may be a family heirloom passed down for generations, as is often the case with wedding rings or custom-made bold necklaces. Or sentimental jewelry can be a gift from a loved one that’s cherished because it serves as a reminder of that person or a special occasion.

Jewelry has historically been a way to mark life events. From gifting earrings for a mother after childbirth to engagement and wedding rings, as well as graduation, birthday, and anniversary gifts, jewelry is often given to commemorate meaningful moments they will forever remember. A woman or man may choose to wear a piece daily as a reminder of that person or occasion, or they may reserve it for special occasions — such as wearing it every anniversary.

Whatever the sentimental jewelry meaning, each piece carries a story, keeping its sentiment alive every time it is worn.

Symbolic Jewelry Meaning

Jewelry also carries symbolic meanings, whether tied to cultural traditions, religious symbols, metaphysical properties, or other personal meaning. Some examples of common symbolic jewelry include wedding and engagement rings, cross necklaces, colorful birthstone jewelry, and Celtic knot rings.

Different cultures throughout history have influenced jewelry and why we wear what we wear. Jewelry often holds significant meaning because of the symbols it represents.

Ancient Cultural Jewelry

Ancient Egypt incorporated many symbols in their jewelry, such as the Eye of Horus, which symbolized protection and royal power, and the Ankh, a cross-like symbol with a loop on top that signified life and immortality. 

Symbolic jewelry made in ancient Greece often featured mythological symbols, such as the meander — a Green key pattern that represented eternal flow of life and continuity — and the laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and achievement, often worn by athletes or other heroic individuals. 

Some jewelry techniques span multiple cultures, such as filigree jewelry. Roman and Greeks used the technique dating back to the 16th century, but it can be traced even further back to the 12th century in Russian culture, where a distinct variation of the technique developed.

Indigenous cultures often created symbolic jewelry with religious or spiritual meanings, using natural materials such as beads, shells, silver, and turquoise stones.

Meaning of Wedding & Engagement Rings

Wedding rings have evolved through time, with traditions in Western society dating back to ancient Rome and Greece. These rings were made of gold, silver, platinum, and other metals. 

Engagement rings also trace back to the same era, when it was believed that the ring finger on the left hand contained a vein that led to the heart. While diamond engagement rings were worn during the Renaissance period — mostly by royalty — the popularity of diamonds in wedding rings surged after De Beers launched a marketing campaign in 1938.

Jewelry Meanings of Status & Wealth

Throughout history and in many cultures, jewelry has symbolized wealth, social status, and even royalty. While mass production has made jewelry more widely accessible, it has somewhat reduced its exclusivity as a status symbol. However, bold statement pieces and custom-made designs still serve as markers of affluence.

Even if we don’t always recognize the symbolic meaning behind the jewelry we wear, many designs are shaped by cultural and historical influences that continue to impact trends today.

Wearing Jewelry for Self-Expression & Identity

Jewelry is also a self-expression that reflects our tastes, identity, personality, and mood. Our jewelry styles may evolve over time, and we may choose different pieces based on what we want to convey. A woman may wear a bold statement piece to represent power and confidence, like this steel and silver Long Chain Link Necklace. Or she may opt for understated dainty rings to embody a subtle, delicate elegance. 

The psychology behind our jewelry choices also extends to the metals and colors we prefer:

• Steel jewelry represents strength, sophistication, and a sense of calm. It can also be a symbol of balance, wisdom, and control. People may choose steel jewelry pieces to reflect their inner strength, power, or composure.

• Gold jewelry is considered one of the most precious metals and is often associated with wealth and indulgence. Some associate gold with success and achievement, while others also link gold to spiritual qualities. Those who favor gold jewelry may want to project prosperity and status.

• Copper used in jewelry symbolizes warmth, tranquility, and vitality. The soft pinkish hue has a calming effect and represents safety. People may choose copper jewelry not only for its color but also to reflect their desire to protect their family, emphasize their nurturing nature, or symbolize inner strength.

• Silver jewelry carries a lot of meanings, including emotional connection, sensitivity, intuition, and well-being. It often signifies a reflection of change, energy, and prosperity. With its reflective properties, silver is thought to “mirror” energy. Those who wear silver jewelry may wish to showcase their optimism and mindfulness.

Ultimately, why people wear the jewelry they do often comes down to how they’re feeling at the moment. Jewelry can help boost confidence, create a sense of tranquility, or reflect personal style. Many use jewelry to shape their image and express their personality. From beaded jewelry that reflects a Bohemian style to bold pieces with large precious stones that signify status and prosperity, our jewelry choices can instantly convey our personalities to others.

Social & Cultural Influences of Jewelry

We’ve already discussed the cultural influences of jewelry throughout history, but societal trends and current cultures also impact why we wear the jewelry that we wear. 

Current fashion trends have a significant influence on shaping the jewelry industry. Jewelry designers often look at fashion and jewelry trends of the year or season when creating new styles. Society also sets expectations for the jewelry we choose to wear, whether it’s influenced by a celebrity sporting a particular style, the jewelry our friends wear, or cultural traditions within our families.

As we explored famous celebrity jewelry pieces, we looked at some popular and stunning jewelry pieces that have stood out in pop culture. While many extravagant pieces of jewelry may be out of reach for most, these popular pieces may inspire jewelry designers to create jewelry with similar styles that are more accessible to the average person.

A Deeper Meaning Behind Why We Wear What We Wear

As you can see, the psychology of jewelry and why people wear the jewelry that they do is multifaceted. We may choose sentimental jewelry for its personal meaning, select pieces that are symbolic or hold special meaning, wear jewelry with cultural or traditional importance, or follow popular jewelry trends. In some cases, we may subconsciously choose jewelry for a variety of reasons we don't immediately consider — until perhaps now.

Whether you’re looking for jewelry that has a special meaning or want to showcase your style, it’s important to find unique jewelry pieces that represent you.