Jewelry with Meaning | Zales

Jewelry With Meaning

Regardless of price or style, your most treasured pieces of jewelry are usually the ones that hold sentimental value. While the memories attached to each piece are often what gives jewelry meaning, certain styles also have a historical significance that date back hundreds or thousands of years.

Here are some of the meanings behind jewelry styles to keep in mind - whether you’re shopping for a gift or a little something for yourself.
RingsRings

Rings

When it comes to giving jewelry with significance, rings take the top spot as the most popular type of jewelry. Of course, engagement rings and wedding bands hold significance, but there are many other ways to tell your story. Here are a few of our favorite meaningful ring styles.

Anniversary Rings

An anniversary ring is a thoughtful way to mark a wedding milestone. Typically, a diamond ring, it marks big occasions like the 10- or 15-year anniversaries. Eternity bands with stones all the way around the band, rings with the couple's birthstones, or three-stone diamond rings are other great anniversary ring options.

Having the ring engraved with a meaningful phrase or date can make an anniversary ring even more special and help commemorate your journey as a couple.

Promise Rings

If you want to make a commitment but aren’t ready to get engaged quite yet, a promise ring can be a meaningful gesture that communicates your intentions for the future. To represent a commitment that is approaching the level of an engagement but not quite there yet, promise rings typically include a ¼ CT. T.W. diamond or smaller. This means they will also be less expensive than an engagement ring.

The most important thing to remember about a promise ring is that the style can be anything you choose — as long as it makes you and your partner happy!

Claddagh Rings

A Claddagh ring is from Irish tradition and always shows two hands holding a heart with a crown on top. They can feature diamonds or gemstones and are crafted in many types of metal, including steel, sterling silver, and all colors of gold.

When the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing inward, the person wearing the ring is in a relationship. On the left hand with the heart facing outward means the wearer is engaged to be married.

Mother’s Rings

Mother's rings are personal, treasured pieces of jewelry. While there are many different and unique styles of Mother’s rings, most will include a birthstone for each family member and often engraving as well. Its meaning is what makes it beautiful.

You might want to wear a mother's ring on the right hand — a lovely counterpart to the traditional wedding set on the left.

Statement and Cocktail Rings

A big, bold ring is a great way to capture attention and display what's important to you. These statement rings, cocktail rings, or large gemstone rings offer endless ways to tell your story.

Wear your ring on a middle or index finger — maximum finger space means you can make a bigger statement.
BirthstonesBirthstones

Birthstones

Every month has a birthstone, and that birthstone has symbolism and history behind it. From stud earrings and statement necklaces to engagement rings and anniversary bands, there are countless ways to incorporate birthstones into nearly any jewelry style. Giving birthstone jewelry as a gift is a great option for birthdays, anniversaries, and any other occasion you can think of. The birthstone for each month is:

  • January: Garnet
  • February: Amethyst
  • March: Aquamarine
  • April: Diamond
  • May: Emerald
  • June: Pearl
  • July: Ruby
  • August: Peridot
  • September: Sapphire
  • October: Opal
  • November: Citrine
  • December: Blue Topaz
  • January: Garnet
  • February: Amethyst
  • March: Aquamarine
  • April: Diamond
  • May: Emerald
  • June: Pearl
  • July: Ruby
  • August: Peridot
  • September: Sapphire
  • October: Opal
  • November: Citrine
  • December: Blue Topaz

Whether you wear your own birthstone or choose a different stone as a tribute to a loved one, birthstones come with plenty of symbolism and meaning you choose to attach to them.
BirthstonesBirthstones

Anniversary Traditions

An anniversary gift doesn’t have to be a ring. In fact, any style of jewelry can make the perfect gift to commemorate another year together. Traditionally, each significant anniversary is associated with a particular metal or gemstone. The most well-known ones include:

  • 1 year: Gold
  • 5 years: Sapphire
  • 10 years: Diamond
  • 15 years: Ruby
  • 20 years: Emerald
  • 30 years: Pearl
  • 1 year: Gold
  • 5 year: Sapphire
  • 10 year: Diamond
  • 15 year: Ruby
  • 20 year: Emerald
  • 30 year: Pearl
Create Your Own JewelryCreate Your Own Jewelry

Create Your Own Jewelry

From engraved engagement rings and wedding bands to a custom-designed pendant necklace or charm bracelet, a piece of jewelry can be as unique as you make it. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or that special someone, learn more about all the ways you can personalize a piece of jewelry and turn it into a priceless keepsake overflowing with meaning.