Foundrae Snake Wholeness Pavé Bookend Band, $6,200, foundrae.com
The Year of the Snake: All About the History of Snake Jewelry
As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, Year of the Snake, here is a comprehensive guide to natural diamond snake jewels as staples in history and protection symbols.
The Year of the Snake began on January 29, 2025, as part of the Lunar New Year—welcoming a season of transformation, wisdom, and creative renewal. But this isn’t just any snake year. It’s the Year of the Wood Snake, a rare occurrence that appears only once every sixty years, bringing with it energy rooted in intuition, artistry, and personal evolution.
For centuries, the Lunar New Year has marked a moment to bid farewell to the old and usher in prosperity, clarity, and good fortune for the months ahead. One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate? Through the gift of natural diamond jewelry, pieces that carry both lasting beauty and symbolic depth.
In 2025, the snake becomes more than a motif; it becomes a guide. Throughout history, this emblem of rebirth and power has inspired iconic jewelry—and this year, it’s poised to shine once again.
Meet the Expert
- Ashley Zhang launched her eponymous fine jewelry line in 2018, combining vintage pieces and bespoke designs.
- Based in New York City’s Diamond District, she is celebrated for curating vintage and antique gems into heirloom‑quality modern jewelry, drawing on her Parsons design background.
- She is sought after for her deep vintage expertise, sustainably upcycled materials, and signature blend of Art Deco, Georgian, and Edwardian influences with contemporary flair.
What Is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese Zodiac?
In Chinese astrology, each year corresponds to one of twelve zodiac animals, and every sixty years the cycle is elevated by a specific element. “Snakes in the Chinese zodiac can have many positive meanings. One being shedding skin, meaning transformation and rebirth,” says Ashley Zhang, founder and designer of Ashley Zhang Jewelry.
The Wood Snake of 2025 is associated with growth, transformation, and deep wisdom. Previous Wood Snake years include 1905 and 1965—periods marked by innovation and introspection.
Those born under the sign of the snake are known for their creativity, perception, and emotional intelligence. In 2025, the Year of the Snake offers a timely opportunity to embrace renewal and clarity, making it the perfect moment to honor life’s next chapter.
Lunar New Year Traditions and the Role of Jewelry
Across cultures, the Lunar New Year is a time of reflection, ritual, and celebration. One of the most cherished customs is the exchange of meaningful gifts—particularly jewelry. “Gifting is popular during the new year as a blessing towards loved ones,” Zhang says. Natural diamond pieces are especially powerful, symbolizing strength, abundance, and protection.
In the Year of the Snake, serpent-inspired diamond jewelry takes on elevated significance. These designs are more than ornamental—they are wearable blessings, guiding us through transformation and toward good fortune.
The Symbolism of Snakes in Jewelry Throughout History
The snake has slithered through the history of jewelry for millennia, revered for its symbolism of rebirth, protection, and eternal love. Ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Indian civilizations all embraced serpent motifs in their adornments, often associating the form with immortality and healing.
“Snakes were also popular during the Victorian era, with a snake biting its tail symbolizing eternity,” Zhang says. “They were often a gift between lovers or husband and wife.” Perhaps the most iconic example of this is the engagement ring Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria in 1839—crafted in gold, with a natural diamond and ruby-eyed snake coiled around her finger. The serpent, in this case, represented eternal devotion and wisdom.
Since then, it has remained a potent emblem in fine jewelry, reimagined by the world’s greatest maisons. Princess Alexandra of Denmark also wore a snake bangle featuring a large natural diamond set at the head.
From Cleopatra to Red Carpet: Snake Jewelry’s Famous Fans
When Elizabeth Taylor filmed Cleopatra in Rome, it was during this legendary production that her love affair with both Richard Burton and Bulgari began. It’s rumored that Burton gifted her a lavish natural diamond and gold Serpenti snake watch from Bulgari—a piece that would go on to symbolize both their fiery romance and Taylor’s lifelong obsession with diamond jewels.
The Bulgari Serpenti collection has become an iconic design beloved by celebrities like Zendaya and Jennifer Lopez, but its origins date back to the late 1940s. First introduced as a coiled tubogas bracelet-watch, the Serpenti was an innovative fusion of ancient symbolism and modern Italian craftsmanship. Inspired by the snake’s associations with power, protection, and transformation, Bulgari reimagined the serpent as a glamorous, wearable sculpture, often crafted in gold and later embellished with enamel, colored gemstones, and natural diamonds.
Why Snake Jewelry Is the Perfect Choice for the Year of the Snake
In the 2025 Year of the Snake, wearing serpent jewelry becomes an intentional act—one that channels resilience, renewal, and spiritual depth. From diamond-encrusted rings to golden bangles that curve around the wrist like armor, these designs are powerful and poetic.
“Snakes can be elegant and beautiful, but are also mysterious and dangerous,” Zhang says. “These ideas draw many people towards the animal as a symbol that is easy to connect with.” Snakes also lend themselves to fluid, sculptural forms that wrap the body with a quiet strength. Whether worn daily or gifted as a talisman, these pieces invite you to embrace the snake’s wisdom and shed the skin of the past.
Our Favorite Year of the Snake Diamond Jewelry Picks
This year’s standout serpent-inspired pieces are as meaningful as they are striking. Think antique-style coils adorned with ruby eyes, sleek gold serpents glinting with natural diamonds, and high-jewelry creations that celebrate the snake’s hypnotic allure.
Whether you’re gifting someone special or marking a personal new beginning, these Year of the Snake jewelry picks are rich with intention, tradition, and timeless beauty. In a year that celebrates transformation and intuition, there’s no better time to let the serpent lead the way.
Ali Weiss Large Gold Snake Stud Earrings, $350, aliweissjewelry.com
Selim Mouzannar Basilik Snake Necklace with Diamonds and Blue Sapphires, Price Upon Request, selimmouzannar.com
Jacquie Aiche Pave Marquise Diamond Snake‑Head Rolo Chain Y‑Necklace, $17,370, jacquieaiche.com
Ashley Zhang Jewelry 2025 Limited-Edition Lunar New Year Diamond Snake Necklace, $28,000, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
Handle with Love The Serpiente Diamond Ring, price upon request, handlewithlove.com
Bulgari Serpenti Viper Ring in 18K Yellow Gold and Diamonds, $10,700, bulgari.com
Anita Ko Snake Huggies, $2,325, anitako.com
Pamela Love Serpente Charm, $1,050, pamelalove.com
Sidney Garber Snake Ring, $11,500, sidneygarber.com
Lion Heart Jewelry Serpent Coil Diamond Ring, $4,230, lionheartjewelry.com
Doyle & Doyle Victorian Diamond Snake Ring, $3,200, doyledoyle.com
