Owls seem to be everywhere…and not just in trees. They’re landing on pins. Nesting on rings. And perching on bracelets. Yes, the owl is a beautiful bird. But the symbolism associated with these lovely creatures is likely one reason jewelry connoisseurs are adding owls to their collections.
The Ancient Greeks thought they represented wisdom, an association that has continued to present day. The Pawnee Native American tribe considered them to be protectors. Russians believed they warded off evil spirits. Other cultures thought the night hunters to be harbingers of doom. Many of these myths have, more or less, stayed with us, and owls now symbolize intelligence, intuition, mystery, and power.
As one of the hottest trends of 2013, owls are being spotted not just on jewelry, but clothing and home décor, from mass market to upscale. Klaus Haapaniemi created a line of owl-ornamented dinnerware that’s sold at Bloomingdale’s. Burberry filled the runway with owls during Fashion Week. Pop star Justin Bieber even has an owl tattooed on his forearm.
This 30.5 ounce hand-carved labradorite owl has silver feet that perch on a petrified wood base.
As to the pervasiveness of the owl obsession, a recent article in The Los Angeles Times had this to say: “Owls printed on pillows, on drinking glasses, on napkins, on blankets. Owls in the form of lamps and candles and cute decorative figurines…. (It’s one) of home decor’s biggest trends.”
This owl ring (left) is made of silver, shell, coral, turquoise, jet and undetermined brown material. It was part of a Native American jewelry display at GIA Carlsbad. Courtesy of Jaime Steelman.
When it comes to jewelry, you’ll find an owl for every taste and price– from the priceless to the affordable, from traditional to Avant Garde, from couture to casual.
Top image of Brazilian bicolor beryl owl is Courtesy of Jack Harter.
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