Jewellery for Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindful wearing and meditation

For centuries, practices like yoga and Buddhism have used beaded necklaces, or Mālā, for meditation.

The moment man began to use the beaded necklace for meditation is not certain. The oldest image of a beaded necklace in a religious context comes from ancient Greece (around 1700 BC). However, its use can probably be traced back to the Indus civilization (3000-1500 BC).

Last year I had the pleasure of altering a lady's meditation beads by adding a few small details to make them more interesting and unique.

In addition to Buddhism other contemporary religions have similar necklaces like the Christian rosary beads or the Islamic misbaha.

Focus for intention: Using beads to count breaths or repeat a mantra during meditation helps focus the mind and anchor intentions.
Daily mindfulness: Simply wearing mindful jewellery — and taking a moment to focus on its feeling, weight, or colour can shift your attention away from stress throughout the day.

When I was in India I came across this wonderful old man in the market in Kerala selling beads.

Healing crystals and gemstones

While not scientifically proven, many people believe that certain gemstones have unique energies that can influence their mood and mental state. Practitioners of crystal healing believe gemstones can boost low energy, prevent bad energy, release blocked energy, and transform a body's aura.

Amethyst: Is often associated with calmness, used to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Rose quartz: Is believed to promote compassion and emotional healing.
Citrine: Is known as the "stone of joy" and is thought to encourage positivity.

This beautiful piece of Rose Quartz sits on my bedroom mantlepiece.

Amulets

Ancient Egyptians used amulets, which they believed to possess magical properties. The amulet's shape, decoration, inscription, colour, material, or ritual performed with the amulet dictated its power. Amulets were worn or placed on the body, in the form of stones, piercings, rings, necklaces, or other jewellery. The Egyptians used amulets to benefit their afterlife, often representing an Egyptian deity and its specific powers.

Owl Heart Love Amulet

I have recently added this owl heart love amulet necklace to my collection inspired by love and wisdom. In Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, chose the owl as her sacred animal, associating it with her keen intelligence and strategic prowess. The owl became a symbol of wisdom, representing the ability to see beyond the surface and discern truth in the shadows

How Jewellery Can Help Mental Health

Some people like to use jewellery as a mental tool by anchoring themselves in the present, channeling stress through fidgeting, and finding comfort and identity through symbolic pieces. Symbolic jewellery, meditation necklaces, or engraved charms can provide emotional support, remind wearers of personal strength or loved ones, and offer grounding in moments of anxiety or stress.

Here is a gold necklace I made for a couple with the initials of their new babies. She wears it every day around her neck, such a personal item to celebrate the birth of her beloved children.

The Act of Creating

The process of making jewellery can be a therapeutic and meditative practice in itself. Engaging in a creative task like jewellery making provides a powerful means of self-expression and can help process emotions. Concentrating on a project, from sketching a design to assembling the final piece, can offer a welcome distraction from stress and provide a sense of purpose and achievement. Designing and making Jewellery has been my life whatever my mood happy, sad, lonely, joyful, depressed, anxious, hopeful excited it has been like a friend - my go to place where I feel safe and fullfilled.

Symbolic and Meaningful Jewellery

Jewellery can hold deeply personal significance, acting as a wearable talisman for emotional support. Custom pieces can be engraved with motivational words like "strength," "breathe," or "I am enough" to serve as a constant, positive reminder. Memorial jewellery, such as a necklace with a loved one's handwriting, provides a tangible link to cherished memories, offering comfort and a sense of closeness.

Here is my acorn heart memorial necklace to contain the ashes of a loved one o be worn and cherished forever.

Connection to others

I made this necklace for the most wonderful woman five years ago it incorporated her much loved son's silver necklace chain. At the front is a collection of meaningful charms the oak leaf, which was very special to them as it was also the motif on his beautiful hand carved gravestone. The other two charms have his birthstone and his lovely sisters in the other. Commissions like this one make my job extremely special as I love the connections I build with people.

These are the cufflinks I made his father also with some of this special necklace as a motif on the front.

Connection to something

Even as a child I was into poetry and I used to get solace from reading it and occasionally writing it! badly.... As a teenager I enjoyed poetry reading and took part in many local poetry speaking competitions. Occasionally when I get the time I make some special unique pieces that mean something to me.

Here is a necklace made from Silver and Rainbow Moonstone called "The Tear Thief" inspired by the poet Carol Ann Duffy, the then Poet Laureate children's book. It is such a beautiful book and like her poetry inspires me. The magical Tear Thief catches children's tears as they fall. This moving tale is about how we express our feelings and its lyrical text, written by one of the most prominent poets writing today, makes lovely reading.

Fidget and sensory jewellery

Specialised fidget rings, spinner necklaces, and textured bracelets offer a discreet, physical outlet for anxiety and stress. The repetitive, focused motion can help calm the nervous system and redirect anxious energy. This tactile stimulation can also provide a grounding effect, drawing attention to the present moment when a person's thoughts are racing. This type of jewellery incorporates moving parts that a person can touch, spin, or slide to soothe anxiety. The repetitive, tactile motion can act as a distraction and a grounding technique during stressful moments, which is a key principle of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Worry rings: These rings have beads or other components that can be spun around the band. They are a discreet way to manage nervous energy, similar to a fidget spinner.
Tactile pendants and bracelets: Pieces with textured surfaces or smooth beads provide a consistent, sensory experience that can be calming when a person is feeling overwhelmed.

My engagement ring is this vintage Diana Porter spinning ring. She sadly passed away a few years ago. When I wear my ring I remember her infectious laugh and bubbly personality. It is white and yellow gold and the two centre parts move around the ring. Its a lovely design and one of my most treasured pieces.

Personal Stories

Two weeks ago one of my customers came into my shop to have a look around. She wanted to tell me how much she loved my Elements Ring she had been given by her husband a while ago now.

But what was really interesting was how she used it to guide her day and it was totally delightful to hear her talk about it . She said in the morning when she put it on her finger the word that was visible on top of her finger would guide her for the day. If it was Fire she would be aware to keep her temper in check, if it was Earth she would try and remain grounded etc....

Then last week a new customer came to my shop to buy my very first brand new Hop Pendant for one of herself as a treat. She has two allotments, is a forager and grows hops that she uses at home for different things. She felt this was the perfect present for her to enjoy.

The hop has a glistening Peridot set in the bottom Peridot which is believed to ward off negative energy, reduce feelings of anger and guilt, boost self-confidence, and attract positive energy and love.

She then said she wanted to order my other word ring, the Seasons Ring, which I have been making for many years. She wanted to order three of them - one for herself and one each for her two daughters as she wanted them as a family ring.

But what she told me next was really very special. She went on to share that her youngest daughter had spent a very long time in a secure psychiatric unit in Sheffield, because she had attempted to take her own life during COVID. That she was so proud of her as she has just started at university. She wanted her to know that with each season, with each change, comes something new and wonderful .. .after the winter comes the spring.

It was extremely poignant for me at this time in my life and its good to remember that life is always moving always changing. My best friend said to me only that day 'and this too will pass' everything changes and things always get better.

Here is a special pair of elements rings commissioned for mother and daughter with diamonds set between the words which elevate them from an every day ring to something more special.

Jewellery gift to yourself

I am going through a very difficult time at the moment and when I saw this Silver, Onyx and Enamel Owl brooch made by one of my favourite designers, it spoke to me, so I decided to treat myself. It is made by the talented @crietan Rie Taniguchi and when not being worn, the owl makes a sculpture as it sits on a copper and wood tree.

It was sold on the site started and run by a friend and fellow Gallery owner Sarah Hutchinson. Sh_chance is such a genius idea I only wish I had thought of it myself! Sarah has worked so hard to create this selling platform and I hope it is a huge success. It is where you can sell and buy preloved contemporary jewellery all made by well known people in the world of jewellery. It is such a fantastic way to be environmentally friendly and get something new when you need or want a change of style. Some of my own work has been on the site but I try not to look too often as there are some great pieces for a good price.

My lovely little owl now has a new home with me, sitting quietly on the mantlepiece in my bedroom. I decided that I would take a leaf out of my customer's book so when I look at my new work of art I use it for my own personal affirmation. Wise words, wise thoughts and wise actions are the way forward.