Chinese New Year 2012: Jewelry Ideas

Published Date: 14th Jan, 2012

Chinese New Year is a time of giving gifts and celebrating life. This is the most celebrated holiday in Chinese calendar. The event is based on the lunar calendar and its celebration begins on a new moon day and lasts for two weeks till the full moon day. This year, this celebration will start from 23rd Jan.

Long Life Pendant (left) Good Luck Pendant (right)

Year of Dragon

According to the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with a specific animal that represents the kind of year it is going to be. There are 12 such animals which are associated with each year in cyclic order. This year is Year of the Dragon.

Dragon is the symbol of great importance in Chinese zodiac, with the belief that there is a balance between heaven and earth in the lives of people born in Year of the Dragon.

The charismatic, enthusiastic and self-confident personalities of Dragons (people born in Dragon year) help them excel at creating a good first impression.

Dragons have good judgment and tend to take a keen interest in the world around them, often stepping in at the right moment to help those in need. Both decisive and dignified, they take a wholehearted approach to life and see themselves as protectors.

• Lucky Gemstone: Opal, Sapphire and Amber
• Lucky Color: Gold and Black

Chinese New Year Gifts

The most common gift is a Red Chinese envelope. Red envelopes have been part of Chinese culture for centuries. Filled with lucky money, they are given to friends and family to bring good luck in the upcoming year.

Traditionally, people like to buy jewelry gifts for New Year in both mainland China and Hong Kong. Jewelry particularly made of jade are usually in hot demand, because it is believed to bring good luck. In Chinese culture, it is said that, Gold has value but Jade is invaluable.

Jewelry that is appropriate for a Chinese New Year gift includes charm bracelets, jade pendants or earrings, and necklaces. In Chinese tradition, charms and pendants symbolize longevity, happiness, love, energy, peace, good health and prosperity.

Dragons admire jewelry designs with beneficial properties that incorporate gemstones such as:

• Amethyst for Wisdom
• Great fascination for Ruby as it is red and noble
• Black Onyx for peace and abundance
• Turquoise for good communication
• Jade to banish greed and carelessness

In metal, yellow gold is very popular. Jewelry made of gold are highly adorable as they can be matched with any attire with bright and cool shades. If you wish to follow the fashion trend, make sure that you buy jewels made of yellow gold or gold-fill with some bold colored gemstones like garnet, ruby, sapphire rather than plain diamonds or other light colored ones.

Pink Sapphire Onyx Brooch (left) Ruby Diamond Brooch (right)

Presently, among the colored gem stones, opal, sapphire and black onyx are highly popular. Black onyx can be used alone or in combination with other stones to make charming yellow gold jewelry.

Basically, you can see there are plenty of options for taking part in the latest jewelry wave during this Chinese New Year. So, be the part of this traditional celebration and have a very happy and prosperous new year.

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