Evil Eye Jewellery: The Ultimate Summer Accessory
A powerful protective amulet across countless cultures and ancient civilisations, the evil eye motif will add a dash of colour to your everyday wrist stack this season
In zingy hues of turquoise that match the crystal waters, the evil eye symbol has become synonymous with Greek getaways. Visit chic holiday destinations such as Mykonos and you will find a plethora of beads, bracelets and bangles in seaside shops that bear the auspicious motif. Widely known to be rooted in Greek mythology, and sporting a eye-catching hue that is perfect for holiday-mode styling, the symbol has become somewhat of a staple in wrist stacks across the Mediterranean during the summer months. It’s heritage, however, runs far deeper.
The symbol has been used as a powerful protective talisman across cultures and civilisations for thousands of years, and it’s almost impossible to pin-point its exact origin, but the oldest evil eye amulets ever discovered date back to Ancient Egypt, 5,000 years ago. Certain cultures believe that the evil eye is a good luck charm that will ward off malevolent spirits – whether worn on the body, displayed in places of worship or placed around the home – as it can reflect the ill wishes of an ‘evil eye curse’.
In the Middle East and North Africa, the symbol is believed to repel the ‘nazar’ curse, which is brought about by another person’s envy and will bring bad luck. Many ancient religious texts mention the symbol, but in Islam the motif – named al-ʽayn – is believed to cause harm to its victim when activated by such envy, and certain protective phrases are uttered to negate its effect.
Its potent mysticism has ensured that the motif is a mainstay of contemporary jewellery design, with jewellers each interpreting the emblem in their own unique way. In just this last month, NET-A-PORTER has reported a 100% increase in searches for the evil eye motif, with their most searched brands including Sydney Evan, Diane Kordas, Jennifer Meyer, and Lorraine Schwartz.
Here, find our edit of some of the chicest evil eye jewels to refresh your wrist stack this summer…
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram / @girl.with.a.diamond.earring
