There’s something magical about slipping on your favourite piece of jewellery. Maybe it’s the delicate heirloom necklace passed down through generations, a statement cocktail ring that turns heads, or that one bracelet you swear gives you main-character energy. Whatever it is, jewellery isn’t just an accessory — it’s history, culture, and self-expression wrapped in gold, silver, and gemstones.
And guess what? There’s an entire day dedicated to celebrating all things sparkly: March 13th — National Jewellery Day 2025.
Whether you call it National Jewel Day, Jewelry Day, or Gemstone Day, it’s the perfect excuse to appreciate the beauty, craftsmanship, and meaning behind our favourite pieces.
Let’s take a deep dive into the history, traditions, and trends that make this day so special.
The Origins of National Jewellery Day
No one knows exactly who started National Jewellery Day, but it’s safe to say that jewellers, collectors, and jewellery lovers have fully embraced it. Some believe it began as a way to highlight the artistry behind fine jewellery and encourage appreciation for the rarest forming gemstones and metals.
What started as a niche celebration has evolved into a global phenomenon, with jewellery enthusiasts using the day to showcase their collections, invest in meaningful pieces, and learn more about the rich history of adornments.
And speaking of history…
Jewelry Through the Ages
From the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt to the modern-day red carpet, jewellery has always been deeply symbolic.
Ancient Egypt (3000 BC – 30 BC): Gold Fit for the Gods
The Egyptians worshipped gold. To them, gold was considered the flesh of the gods. That’s why Egyptian royalty, from Tutankhamun to Cleopatra, adorned themselves with extravagant jewellery, believing it would carry them into the afterlife with divine protection.
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Materials & Symbols: Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and turquoise were the most prized materials. Scarab beetles symbolised rebirth, while the ankh (☥) represented eternal life.
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Cleopatra’s Obsession: The queen had a particular fondness for emeralds, which she wore to assert her divine status and power. (Fun fact: She even gave emeralds to foreign dignitaries as a sign of her favour!).
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Burial Practices: Jewelry was buried with the dead to provide protection and wealth in the afterlife. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, filled with golden masks, inlaid rings, and intricate necklaces, solidified the Egyptian legacy in jewellery history.
The Mughal Empire (1526–1857): A Dynasty of Diamonds
If you’ve ever been mesmerised by elaborate Indian jewellery, you have the Mughals to thank. This empire took gemstone craftsmanship to a whole new level, pioneering techniques that are still influencing the global jewellery industry today.
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Precious Gemstones: The Mughals adored diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls. They were symbols of divine power and imperial wealth.
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The Koh-i-Noor Diamond: One of the world’s most famous (and controversial) diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor originated in India and passed through the hands of multiple rulers before becoming part of the British Crown Jewels.
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Polki & Kundan Craftsmanship: Traditional Indian jewellery styles like Polki (uncut diamonds set in gold) and Kundan (intricate gold setting with enamel work) date back to this era and remain in high demand.
Mughal jewellery was so spectacular that European royals sought after their techniques, influencing Baroque and Rococo jewellery trends in France and Italy.
The Renaissance & Victorian Eras (1300s – 1901): Sentiment & Symbolism
During the Renaissance, jewellery was a statement of intelligence, wealth, and power. Advancements in gemstone cutting led to more intricate designs, and aristocrats flaunted pearls, sapphires, and rubies.
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The Medici Influence: The powerful Medici family of Florence helped fund the development of jewellery techniques that would later inspire modern European styles.
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Portrait Miniature Lockets: These early versions of lockets often contained portraits of loved ones, a practice that evolved into the Victorian love for sentimental jewellery.
Jewellery in the Victorian era was all about emotion and storytelling. Queen Victoria herself was a major trendsetter — her love for personalised and symbolic jewellery shaped the industry for decades.
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Mourning Jewelry: When Prince Albert passed away in 1861, Victoria wore black jewellery with jet stones for the rest of her life. This sparked a trend for mourning jewellery, including lockets containing hair or portraits of loved ones.
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Love & Romance: Sentimental pieces featuring hearts, flowers, snakes (which symbolised eternal love), and engraved initials became wildly popular.
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Birthstones & Personalization: Victorians adored birthstone rings and personalised jewellery, a tradition that continues today with name necklaces and custom engravings.
The Roaring ‘20s & Art Deco (1919–1939
The Art Deco period was a reaction to the soft, romantic styles of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Inspired by geometric patterns, industrial design, and the rise of Hollywood glamour, this era introduced some of the most iconic jewellery trends in history.
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Bold Geometric Shapes: Think sharp angles, symmetrical designs, and sleek platinum settings.
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The Rise of Diamonds: The 1920s made diamonds a girl’s best friend, setting the stage for the modern engagement ring.
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Cartier’s Tutti Frutti Collection: Inspired by Indian craftsmanship, Cartier’s colourful Tutti Frutti jewellery became a symbol of luxury and modernity.
National Jewellery Day Today
Fast forward to today, and National Jewelry Day 2025 is all about celebrating the evolving meaning of jewellery in our lives.
While jewellery remains a status symbol, it has also become a powerful tool for self-expression, personal storytelling, and cultural heritage.
Jewellery is deeply personal, and that’s what makes it so special.
How We Celebrate National Jewellery Day Today
While every day is a good day to appreciate your jewellery collection, National Jewellery Day gives you an extra excuse to buy, wear, and talk about all things bling.
Ways to celebrate:
Treat Yourself
Let’s be real: do you really need an excuse to buy another ring? Whether it’s a new pair of diamond studs or a bold gemstone necklace, today is the perfect day to invest in a piece you’ll cherish forever.
Showcase Your Collection
Whether you post your best jewellery looks on Instagram, swap styling tips with your besties, or even host a jewellery-themed gathering, today is about appreciating what you already own.
Get a Little Sentimental
Jewelry often holds deep emotional value. Take a moment to reflect on a special piece — maybe it’s a family heirloom, a meaningful gift, or something you bought to mark a milestone in your life.
Support Local & Ethical Jewelers
The jewellery industry has evolved, with a growing focus on sustainability. Supporting ethical brands ensures that your sparkle is just as responsible as it is beautiful.
Designers Who Defined the Industry
Behind every breathtaking piece of jewellery is a visionary designer. Someone who doesn’t just create beautiful adornments but also redefines how we see, wear, and appreciate jewellery.
Azza Fahmy (Egypt) – The Queen of Arabic-Inspired Jewelry
Azza Fahmy is a storyteller. For decades, she has been redefining Middle Eastern jewellery by blending traditional Arabic calligraphy, historical motifs, and intricate craftsmanship into modern luxury pieces.
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Her Signature Style: Fahmy’s work is known for its fusion of history and contemporary elegance. She incorporates Arabic poetry, Pharaonic symbols, and Ottoman-inspired patterns into her collections, making each piece feel like a wearable piece of art and culture.
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Cultural Legacy: Her designs often include engraved Arabic scripts with messages of love, empowerment, and heritage, making her pieces deeply personal and meaningful.
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Global Recognition: While rooted in Egyptian and Arab heritage, Fahmy’s work has gained international acclaim, with celebrities and royalty among her devoted clients.
Bvlgari (Italy) – The House of Bold & Colorful Luxury
Few brands can match the Italian sophistication of Bvlgari. Founded in 1884 in Rome, this legendary jewellery house is famous for its vibrant coloured gemstones, large cabochon cuts, and distinctive Roman influences.
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The Signature Look: Bvlgari is known for its high-contrast, colourful gemstone combinations (sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and amethysts) set in sleek, modern designs. Think chunky gold, snake motifs (like the iconic Serpenti collection), and larger-than-life cocktail rings.
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Hollywood’s Favorite: The brand became a Hollywood staple in the 1950s and ‘60s, with stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren donning their designs. Taylor, in particular, had a well-known obsession with Bvlgari’s bold jewellery (and honestly, we get it).
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Serpenti Collection: The Serpenti line, inspired by ancient Roman snake motifs, has become one of the most recognisable jewellery collections in the world.
Van Cleef & Arpels (France) – Masters of Whimsy & Elegance
Van Cleef & Arpels is the epitome of Parisian romance, fairytale-like design, and exquisite craftsmanship. Founded in 1906, the brand has built its legacy on delicate, feminine, and intricate designs.
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The Mystery Setting: One of their greatest innovations is the “mystery setting”, which allows gemstones to be set without visible metal prongs, creating an almost seamless sparkle.
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Nature-Inspired Elegance: The brand is famous for its floral, butterfly, and fairy-inspired motifs, making their jewellery look like something straight out of a dream.
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The Alhambra Collection: If you’ve ever seen the clover-shaped necklaces and bracelets that symbolise luck, that’s Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra Collection, launched in 1968. It’s still one of the most coveted jewellery pieces today.
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Royal & Celebrity Fans: Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and even Kate Middleton have all been seen wearing Van Cleef & Arpels pieces.
Mikimoto (Japan) – The King of Pearls
If you own a string of perfectly round pearls, you probably have Mikimoto Kokichi to thank. He revolutionised the pearl industry in the late 1800s by pioneering the cultured pearl, making pearls more accessible while maintaining their luxurious appeal.
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Before Mikimoto: Pearls were incredibly rare, found only in nature and reserved for royalty and the ultra-rich.
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His Invention: In 1893, Mikimoto successfully developed cultured pearls, which allowed for sustainable pearl production while maintaining top-tier quality.
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The Mikimoto Standard: Even today, his brand is synonymous with high-quality, perfectly round, lustrous pearls and is considered the best in the world.
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The Pearl Revolution: Thanks to Mikimoto, pearls went from being an exclusive luxury to a staple in women’s wardrobes worldwide, from First Ladies like Jackie Kennedy to modern fashionistas.
The World’s Most Famous Jewelry Pieces
Certain pieces of jewellery have transcended time, becoming symbols of luxury, history, and intrigue.
The Hope Diamond
This deep-blue, 45.52-carat diamond has a history filled with mystery and alleged curses. Currently housed at the Smithsonian, it remains one of the most famous gems in the world.
The Cartier Love Bracelet
Designed in the 1970s, this screw-on bracelet symbolises eternal love and has been worn by countless celebrities and royalty.
The Tiffany Yellow Diamond
This 128.54-carat yellow diamond has only been worn by four women in history: Audrey Hepburn, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Gal Gadot.
The La Peregrina Pearl
Once owned by Queen Mary I of England and later by Elizabeth Taylor, this pearl has a fascinating 500-year history.
Jewelry Trends in 2025: What’s Hot Right Now?
Jewellery trends come and go, but some styles define an era. Here’s what’s dominating 2025:
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Lab-grown Diamonds: Ethical, sustainable, and just as stunning as natural diamonds, lab-grown stones, such as Moissanite, are the future of fine jewellery.
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Chunky Gold Chains: Bold, oversized chains aren’t going anywhere. Think old-school hip-hop meets high fashion.
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Coloured Gemstones: Move over, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and tourmalines are taking centre stage.
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Minimalist Stackable Rings: Layering delicate rings is the ultimate way to personalise your jewellery look.
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Asymmetry & Mismatched Earrings: Who says both earrings have to match? Fashion is all about breaking the rules.
Sustainable & Ethical Jewelry
The jewellery industry hasn’t always had the sparkliest track record when it comes to ethics and sustainability. From conflict diamonds to harmful mining practices, the quest for beauty has sometimes come at an environmental and human cost. But here’s the good news: the industry is changing for the better.
Consumers today want pieces that align with their values. That means ethical sourcing, fair labour practices, eco-friendly materials, and transparency.
The Dark Side of Traditional Jewelry Production
For decades, traditional jewellery production has been linked to some serious ethical and environmental concerns:
Conflict Diamonds (a.k.a. Blood Diamonds)
Some diamonds have been mined in war zones, with profits funding armed conflicts and human rights abuses. The 2006 film Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, brought major attention to this issue.
Unethical Mining Practices
Traditional mining methods for gold, silver, and gemstones can involve toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, deforestation, and unsafe working conditions.
Exploitation of Workers
Many mining communities, especially in developing countries, have historically been underpaid and overworked, with child labour and poor working conditions still an issue in some regions.
A Celebration of Sparkle That Does Good!
Jewellery is meant to be timeless, and thanks to the rise of sustainable and ethical practices, its impact on the world can be just as long-lasting in a positive way.
So, on National Jewellery Day 2025, let’s celebrate not just the beauty of jewellery but also the power of responsible choices. Because when your jewellery is ethical, sustainable, and meaningful, it truly shines from the inside out.
