Around the world, jewellery is worn by billions of people, with 87% of women, specifically, saying that they wear earrings, necklaces, and bracelets daily.
A lot of the time, this jewellery is based on the individual’s style sense and aesthetical preferences, but in many cases, it also carries a deeper significance, reflecting personal beliefs, cultural heritage, or even spiritual devotion. This has been especially evident over the last two decades.
According to a recent study undertaken in America, the vast majority of residents favour wearing religious symbols over any other kind of jewellery, with more people than ever wearing the cross as a sign of their faith.
Jewish jewellery has also soared in commerciality, evidenced by the success of Judaica by Nadav Art, which has one of the most popular collections of Jewish-inspired jewellery, including Star of David necklaces and Chai pendants. Across the globe, faith-based jewellery has been seeing a definitive resurgence, and we wanted to take a moment to look into why.
An Increased Interest in the Self
One of the reasons could be the increased interest in the self, which has grown more significant in popular culture. Over the last two decades, there has been a shift toward personal identity, self-discovery, and spiritual awareness, which has led many people to seek accessories that hold deeper meaning beyond aesthetics.
Even beyond religious circles, mindfulness and spiritual exploration have become mainstream, with individuals more focused than ever on understanding who they are, what they believe in, and how they want to present themselves in the modern world. Faith-based jewellery allows them to express this, giving them a way to embrace their sense of self in a way that simply ‘pretty jewellery’ cannot achieve.
Breaking Away from the Norm
Akin to this, the shift toward personal identity has been aligned with the rise of social media platforms. Whether it’s platforms like TikTok or Instagram, social media has made everyone hyper-visible, which has led to an increased desire for individuality.
People want to stand out, and one of the ways they do this is through wearing jewellery that represents who they are. In this case, faith-based jewellery offers a unique, timeless way to express oneself, distinguishing the wearer from passing trends and allowing them to stand out from the crowd.
The Fashion Influence
There’s every chance that celebrity and fashion influence has also played a role. Almost paradoxically, as faith-based jewellery has surged, celebrities and fashion companies have jumped on board, running with the trend and subsequently making it even more popular.
In 2025, many public figures are seen wearing cross pendants, Star of David necklaces, hamsa bracelets, and more, keeping the trend alive and influencing a wider audience – including those who may not necessarily follow a specific faith. Every year, there are new trends in the fashion industry that come and go, but this is one that has stuck around, and will be likely to remain for the foreseeable future.
The Importance of Heritage and Culture
Another key reason why faith-based jewellery may have surged in popularity is that people are more interested in their ancestry and roots. Certainly in 2024, there was a notable trend of people becoming increasingly engaged in their family history, driven by factors like readily available online resources, DNA testing, and a desire to further understand their sense of self.
Whether it’s Jewish roots or Islamic roots, many then want to honour what they find by wearing jewellery that reflects those roots, keeping a part of their history with them at all times to act as a tangible link to their past.
A Need for Stability
Lastly, because faith-based jewellery carries more emotional weight than any other form of jewellery, it has become an increasingly popular choice for those wanting stability. Modern life, of course, is fast-paced and often unpredictable.
With a number of personal and external anxieties, faith-based jewellery has become particularly appreciated by people searching for anchors – something that reminds them of their values, their past, and what they stand for, even in the midst of all the noise. In a way, it brings a sense of stability and comfort, allowing them to feel grounded in an ever-changing world and – just as religious jewellery was intended for thousands of years ago – protected from evil external forces.
Conclusion
These are just a few reasons why faith-based jewellery is rising in popularity, but as ever in the world of fashion, it’s important to choose jewellery pieces that suit you and your own personality. If those pieces take the shape of religious jewellery, then great. If you’re more interested in alternative jewellery pieces that look good but have little emotional meaning, that’s also fine! It’s your choice, your body, and your individuality. That’s what counts!