Jewellery Superstitions and the Folklore Behind Them

Superstitions attach themselves to almost everything, from ladders and black cats to mirrors and rainbows, so it is no surprise that the wearing and owning of jewellery comes with its own folklore. Some of these old wives' tales are charming, others faintly alarming, and most are happily ignored today. Yet they reveal how much meaning people have always invested in the pieces they wear. Whether you are a superstitious soul or a confirmed cynic, the stories are worth knowing. This explainer rounds up the best-known jewellery superstitions, with a nod to the traditions still followed in Hatton Garden, London's diamond quarter.

Why Pearls Are Avoided on a Wedding Day

One of the most enduring bridal superstitions warns against wearing pearls on a wedding day. Because pearls are said to resemble tears, folklore holds that wearing them represents all the tears a bride will supposedly cry during an unhappy marriage.

For this reason, diamonds are traditionally seen as the safer bridal choice, carrying associations of strength and lasting love rather than sorrow. Many brides, of course, wear pearls regardless and consider them a symbol of purity and elegance.

Like most superstitions, it survives as a talking point rather than a rule, and a beautiful pearl piece remains a classic bridal option for those who love it.

Birthstones and the Ring Finger Traditions

Another old belief warns against wearing a birthstone that is not your own, which was long thought to invite bad luck. Since diamond, April's birthstone, is worn by almost everyone at some point, modern society has clearly set this one aside.

If you would like to know your own stone, our overviews of spring and summer birthstones set out which gem belongs to each month. It is a charming way to choose a meaningful piece, superstition or not.

A separate legend claims that wearing any band other than an engagement or wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand means you will never be asked to marry. Most people ignore it, though a cautious bride-to-be might keep that finger clear just in case.

Fun fact: The belief that the fourth finger of the left hand connects to the heart comes from the ancient Roman idea of the vena amoris, or vein of love, once thought to run directly from that finger to the heart.

Silver Jewellery and Protective Powers

Silver has long been credited with protective and healing powers, and folklore holds that wearing silver earrings keeps bad spirits at bay by guarding the body's openings. It is one of many traditions that treat jewellery as a charm as much as an ornament.

No superstition can truly be proven, but a pair of simple silver studs is a stylish and affordable piece whatever you believe. Silver remains a popular metal for everyday contemporary jewellery.

Whether you take these tales to heart or simply enjoy them, the jewellers of Hatton Garden can help you find a piece that suits you. After all, the real magic of jewellery lies in the meaning we choose to give it.