If you were born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, or 2003, you have a special reason to celebrate in 2015: you were born under the eighth Chinese Zodiac sign, the Sheep (also Ram or Goat). As a gem and jewelry aficionado, you’ll want pieces to add to your collection during this auspicious year.
Majesty personified: A ram (a male sheep) is the star in this ancient Syrian ring (circa 14th‐13th century BCE). An important government
official probably wore it. Courtesy of Walters Art Museum.
Twelve animal signs make up the Chinese Zodiac: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The sheep is in the starring role for 2015. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Sheep are tranquil, peaceful, harmonious, have a nurturing nature, and enjoy the arts. Here are just a few pieces we’ve found that capture the spirit of the sign.
Platinum ring accentuated with two opposing diamonds. Courtesy of Erik Stewart.
Peacefulness, a trait associated to the Year of the Sheep, is represented in Erik Stewart’s minimalist Zen Style inspired ring, an imaginative interpretation of the Chinese Taiji (ying-yang) symbol: a gleaming field of platinum accentuated with two opposing diamonds. It is a piece that reminds us to be tranquil during the inevitable changes throughout life.
Tanzanite earrings by Janice DeBell. Winner of the 2006 Celebration of Life Jewelry Design award. Courtesy of the Tanzanite Foundation. Photo by Robert Weldon.
Tranquility, another trait associated to those persons born in the Year of the Sheep, is reflected in these tanzanite earrings by Janice DeBell for Kwiat. The gradation of cool colors, from soft shimmering light purples to deep blue-violet, helped this piece win the Tanzanite Foundation’s Tanzanite Celebration of Life Jewelry Design Awards in 2006.
Rams head ring by Yianni Melas. Photo by Robert Weldon.
Let’s not forget the ram, a male sheep. If you’re looking for a more masculine expression of the symbol, this ring by Yianni Melas might be it. Notice the unconventional placement of the ruby: it’s on the bottom of the shank.
Courtesy of Susan Helmich Designs. Photo by Robert Weldon.
Harmony reigns supreme in this fantasy cut aquamarine necklace. Yellow gold on the right of the aquamarine is balanced by white gold on its left. This motif repeats in the bail (seen as crisscrossing diamond lines at the top of the pendant) – a design decision that creates a pleasing symmetry. The 101.58 ct aquamarine was cut by Tom Munsteiner; the 18k white and yellow gold pendant was designed by Susan Helmich.
Ram’s head carved in bone.
This ram’s head was carved in bone with realistic details that give it a life-like appearance. Creating this piece of scrimshaw took limitless patience and a steady hand.
Gems and jewelry can mirror personality traits. Just look at them with the artist’s eye that belongs to those born in the Year of the Sheep, and you’ll see jewelry in a whole new way.
For jewelry inspired by the Western Zodiac signs, don’t forget to visit our Zodiac jewelry series, which begins with Capricorn.
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