We often talk about rings when we think of circles in jewellery. After all, what better symbol of infinity and commitment than a continuous band with no beginning and no end? But the truth is, the circle lives everywhere in jewellery — from the soft clink of bangles to the bold sweep of a hoop earring, from chain links to concentric spirals.
As Easter invites us to reflect on renewal, rhythm, and deeper meaning, let’s explore how round forms have long been used in personal adornment — not just for beauty, but for protection, power, and poetry. And I will also share the story behind one of my favourite capsule collections, Scheherazade, a contemporary ode to ancient rhythms and feminine strength.
Bangles: Rhythm, Ritual and Self-Expression
Bangles are among the most tactile forms of jewellery. Slip one on and you immediately feel its weight, its coolness against your skin, the soft sound it makes with your movements. Stack a few, and suddenly you’re wearing a rhythm — a personal soundtrack for your day.
Ancient Origins and Global Traditions
Bangles trace their origins to South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They were often worn in multiples and carried deep cultural meaning. In India, glass or gold bangles are worn by married women for luck and prosperity. In West and North Africa, thick bangles carved from wood, ivory, or metal became symbols of wealth and status — and were sometimes gifted during rites of passage.
But perhaps my favourite historical reference comes from North African traditions, where women wore seven bangles — one for each day of the week. It’s this practice that inspired my Scheherazade capsule collection, a modern take on the “semainier” — literally “week” in French.
Unity in Multiplicity: The Power of Stacking and Connection
Stacking bangles isn’t just a stylistic choice — it’s a form of storytelling. With the Scheherazade collection, I wanted to give that experience structure and intention.
The Scheherazade bangle eg is made up of seven individual rings, each one free to move. But they are held together by a discreet linking loop — a small but intentional element that transforms them from separate pieces into a cohesive whole.
It acts like a ribbon — a symbolic reminder that while we each shine in our own way, we are always part of a greater story. Each ring may represent a day of the week, a chapter in one’s life, or a personal trait but it is their relationship to each other that brings meaning and flow.
That ethos of individuality within connection is central to my design philosophy. Whether worn solo or as part of a set, each Scheherazade piece echoes the life of its wearer: layered, evolving, and beautifully whole.
Hoop Earrings: A Circle of Boldness
Another enduring use of the circle in jewellery? Hoop earrings — those beautifully simple forms that can be understated or commanding depending on size and styling.
Across Time and Cultures
Hoop earrings date back to ancient Sumeria and Egypt, where they adorned both women and men. In Ancient Rome, gold hoops signalled wealth and elite status. In Latinx, Black, and African cultures, hoops became a powerful cultural symbol — celebrating identity, pride, and visibility.
In contemporary fashion, hoops have cycled in and out of style but they’ve never truly left. Why? Because they frame the face, catch the light, and offer a perfect balance of minimalism and statement. From small huggie hoops to oversized golden rings, they whisper (or shout): I’m here. I’m radiant.
The Psychology of the Circle
There’s a reason circular earrings feel so satisfying. As explored in my earlier blog on the symbolism of circles, we are biologically drawn to rounded shapes. Circles soothe the eye, evoke softness and balance, and even mirror how we see the world — through spherical eyes and circular fields of vision.
Hoop earrings, then, are not just decorative. They’re intuitive, they resonate. They remind us of wholeness and repetition, of continuity and cycles. Worn with confidence, they’re like armour — soft, but strong.
Chains, Loops, and Repetition
Even in pieces where the circle is less obvious, you’ll find it hiding in plain sight — in the repetition of loops, the interconnected links of chains, the curved forms of a brooch or pendant.
Think of a chain necklace: a series of interlocking circles that together form strength and flexibility. Or a vintage brooch with filigree spirals echoing vines and galaxies. Even a simple toggle clasp relies on a circular motion — one loop to connect and secure.
These shapes aren’t random. They’re chosen for how they feel, how they move, how they mirror the body and our experience of life. Constantly in motion, yet always returning to centre.
The Circle Reimagined: Spirals and Concentric Designs
At the heart of the Scheherazade capsule lies the circle multiplied — not just in one continuous loop, but as seven rings dancing together. These forms speak directly to my fascination with spirals, a motif you’ll see echoed throughout my work.
Spirals are circles in motion. They symbolise growth, energy, and evolution. They show how life unfolds — not in a straight line, but through layers, seasons, returning again and again, but always slightly transformed.
In many cultures, spirals represent spiritual journeys, the cycle of birth and death, or the unfolding of time and consciousness. In jewellery, they create a sense of rhythm and presence, just as the interlinked rings of the Scheherazade pieces do.
Behind the Design: The Scheherazade Capsule Collection
The Scheherazade collection takes its name from the legendary storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights — a woman who outwitted death through creativity, intelligence, and storytelling. That narrative of resilience, beauty, and inner power felt like the perfect inspiration for a collection based on seven stacking bangles — one for each night of the week.
Design Ethos
Each of the four designs — a ring, a bangle, a pendant, and a pair of earrings — is composed of seven interlocking rings. Whether they sit stacked (as in the ring and bangle) or concentric (as in the pendant and earrings), the result is a dynamic interplay of shape, motion, and meaning.
Why Seven?
Across time and culture, the number seven has carried deep talismanic resonance. It speaks to wholeness, cycles, and spiritual power. Think of the seven days of the week, the seven heavens, seven seas, or the seven colours of the rainbow. In North African traditions, women wear seven bangles — one for each day — as an everyday protection ritual and a marker of femininity and rhythm.
That idea deeply resonated with me.
So rather than create a series of separate bangles, I chose to translate that symbolic stacking into a singular gesture across multiple jewellery forms. The result is a cohesive capsule where each piece becomes a quiet echo of daily strength, adaptability, and grace.
A Gift Across Generations
The bangle is also available in a child’s size. It is a beautiful, thoughtful gift for christenings, first communions, milestone birthdays, or exam celebrations. A simple, symbolic way to mark a new chapter or offer protection and love in a form they can grow into.
In many ways, the collection is a love letter to the modern woman. It will fit someone who wants flexibility, elegance, and symbolism all wrapped in one. A woman who knows her story isn’t linear, and neither is her style.
Why Circles Still Matter
So why this ongoing love affair with round forms in jewellery? Because they connect us — to history, to our bodies, to nature, and to each other. Whether you’re stacking bangles, slipping on hoops, or choosing a spiral pendant to channel new energy, you’re part of a centuries-old conversation. One that says:
“I am whole. I am in motion. I am radiant.”
Ready to Make the Circle Your Own?
Jewellery has the power to transform not just how we look, but how we feel. As spring blooms and Easter beckons us into new cycles of growth and renewal, perhaps it’s time to choose a piece that reminds you of your own rhythms.
🌟 Explore the Scheherazade Capsule Collection
🌿 Revisit the Infinity Collection
💎 Discover the Symbolism of Circles in my earlier blog post
And remember — every time you wear a circle, you’re not just wearing a shape.
You’re wearing a story. A cycle. A promise.
Coming Soon: Watch the Story Unfold
🎥 Don’t miss the final video in my Easter Mini Series, coming 19 April:
“The Magic of Circles & the Scheherazade Collection”
Sign up to my newsletter here to be the first to watch, and let’s celebrate jewellery that moves with you.
