A Meaningful Commission: Creating a Birthday Necklace with Symbolism

A Meaningful Commission: Creating a Birthday Necklace with Symbolism

Commissions always hold a special place in my heart, especially when they come with such personal meaning. Last year, I had the privilege of designing a necklace for my best friend's mum to mark a significant milestone birthday. She asked for something that symbolised strength, wisdom, and a connection to nature - a design that would be both beautiful and deeply personal.

She sent me some inspiration images to help guide the design: simple shapes with representations of trees. From there, I began researching tree symbolism to find the perfect fit for the piece.

After exploring various options, I landed on a few trees that embodied the qualities we were looking for:

  • Hazel: Wisdom and inspiration.
  • Wisteria: Long life and endurance.
  • Oak: Strength, stability, and protection 
We decided to go with the oak as it is also the birth tree for June, which happens to be the recipient’s birth month, a lovely coincidence!
For the design, I chose to focus on an oak leaf rather than a full tree. The oak leaf was cut out from the main pendant, and I used the tiny cut-out leaf partway up the chain as a subtle detail. The oak leaf symbolises strength and resilience, and it felt like the perfect choice to represent the milestone birthday.

For the stone, I selected blue topaz, which represents calmness, emotional balance, and clear communication. The blue brought a serene hint of colour to the design, complementing the earthy oak leaf beautifully.

This necklace isn't just a piece of jewellery; it’s a story, a celebration of life’s milestones, and a meaningful gift that will carry significance for years to come.

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