In this blog, we’re diving into how jewellery plays a starring role in New Year’s traditions, whether it's a well-deserved treat for achieving your resolutions or a reminder that life’s winding journey is worth celebrating. And because we love a good twist (literally), we’ll also take a look at how Annika Rutlin’s unique jewellery collections symbolise hope, renewal and the twists and turns of life, and how they can help you reflect on your very real growth (yes, that 5-pound weight loss or new career pivot). Let’s scintillate our way into the New Year!

Let’s face it: New Year’s resolutions are like your favorite pair of jeans—they’re full of promise at first but, by February, not always the most comfortable fit. Yet, despite our best intentions (okay, maybe not the best intentions, but good intentions), we set these ambitious goals year after year. And when we finally cross that finish line, what’s the most natural thing to do? Reward ourselves of course! I mean, why else would we make resolutions if not for the exquisite rewards at the end, right?

Now, here’s the twist: when you achieve your goals (yes, you will, even if it’s just finishing the 5th season of that Netflix show without falling asleep), jewellery becomes a symbol of triumph. Did you stick to your promise of drinking more water? Get yourself a beautiful bracelet to remind you of your hydration victory. Lost a few pounds or finally nailed that meditation habit? Go ahead, buy a necklace that makes you feel fabulous. jewellery isn’t just for special occasions, it’s for celebrating every little achievement—even the ones that aren’t quite Instagram-worthy but still count as a personal win.

And what better jewellery to reward yourself with than something from Annika Rutlin’s collection? You know, something that says, “I worked hard, I stuck to my resolution, and now I deserve to shine.” Annika’s designs are more than just pretty pieces—they’re like little trophies you can wear on your wrist, neck, or ears, as a reminder of your hard work. And let’s be honest, who doesn't love a trophy that doesn’t require a dusty shelf to collect it?

Okay, let’s dive into the real tradition of New Year’s jewellery. For centuries, people have been gifting jewellery to mark special occasions, and New Year's is no exception. It's like saying, “Here’s something shiny and pretty to help you forget that you didn’t stick to your New Year’s resolutions last year (but hey, there’s always next year).”

Historically, jewellery has been gifted to symbolise good fortune, wealth, and prosperity in the year ahead. So, whether it's silver, gold, diamonds, or even the a bespoke piece (Contact info@annikarutlin.com to find out more about commissioning custom made designs), the idea is that it holds some kind of magical meaning. For instance, gold jewellery is often considered a symbol of wealth, because who doesn’t want a little extra cash and good vibes in the new year?

When you wear jewellery to ring in the New Year, you're also kind of dressing yourself in good luck and positive energy. You’re like a walking, talking, shining manifestation of all the good things that will (hopefully) come your way in 2024. If that’s not a reason to wear a fabulous necklace, we don’t know what is.

Now, if you’re thinking about gifting someone jewellery this New Year’s, well, you’re in good company. Giving jewellery is like saying, “Here’s something stunning that will remind you of how amazing you are (even if you eat an entire pizza by February).” jewellery gifts have a special place in New Year’s traditions because they can symbolise everything from friendship to success, to your wildest dreams of not becoming a New Year’s resolution statistic.

Speaking of jewellery gifts (or treating yourself), there’s no better time than New Year’s to treat yourself to something gorgeous from Annika Rutlin’s collection. If you’ve never heard of Annika Rutlin, it’s time to get familiar. She’s a designer who crafts stunning jewellery that doesn’t just look good; it speaks to the soul. Annika’s pieces are designed with refinement, detail, and a deep understanding of the human experience—perfect for a New Year’s reward or as a reminder that life’s winding road is always full of possibility.

Annika Rutlin’s Solstice Collection: The Significance of Circles

 

The timeless Solstice Collection reflects the transformational nature of this time of year. Annika’s Solstice silver jewellery collection captures the radiant energy of the sun, symbolizing light and renewal. Inspired by the winter solstice, a time when the sun’s return signifies hope and growth, each piece reflects a balance of warmth and tranquility, bringing positive energy and vitality to both wearer and world. 

Here's an interesting fact: In the Philippines, it's believed that wearing round items, like polka dots or circles, carrying coins, and eating round foods can attract prosperity for the coming year. The dots and circles are thought to symbolize wealth, so wear your new Solstice ring next time you do the lottery!

Let’s also focus on another collection: the Efja range. The old Norse for riverbend*, the Efja pieces are all about flow—literally and metaphorically. The designs are all about curves, bends, and twists, mimicking the unpredictable journey of life. Sound familiar? It’s like the road to achieving your resolutions—full of unexpected detours, scenic routes, and a few potholes along the way (hello, treadmill that turned into a laundry rack).

The Efja collection reminds us that, just like your goals, life isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes it’s more like a winding river, twisting and turning, taking you places you didn’t expect but somehow making sense when you look back. The jewellery itself is bold, and full of personality, much like the woman who wears it. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out right away; life is about the journey, the process, and enjoying the ride (preferably with fabulous jewellery). This collection isn’t just beautiful because of its softly flowing curves. It’s gorgeous because it symbolises how we all take different paths in life. If life were a road trip, the Efja designs would be your travel companion, guiding you through all those unexpected detours. And honestly, if you're going to have a winding journey, you might as well do it in style, right?

When you wear a piece from the Efja range, you’re basically wearing your life story. Every twist and turn. Every setback and comeback. Every moment where you thought, "What am I even doing?" But then, surprise, you’ve arrived at something better than you ever imagined. The Efja collection is your reminder to embrace the unpredictability of life, which is often the best way to approach your resolutions. Sure, you might not reach all your goals exactly when you thought you would, but the process—the winding, winding process—is what makes it all worth it.

And don’t forget—wearing pieces from Annika Rutlin’s beautiful jewellery ranges is not just a fashion statement; it’s a statement of resilience. It’s a way of saying, “I’m embracing the unknown, I’m rolling with the punches, and I’m doing it all while looking fabulous.” And isn’t that the ultimate New Year’s resolution?

Life is full of growth moments, from figuring out what you want to do with your career (or maybe what you don’t want to do) to finding the perfect avocado. jewellery is a reflection of those moments. When you buy a piece of jewellery to mark a personal victory (big or small), it’s like putting a little trophy in your jewellery box.

In the end, jewellery is a way of marking our victories and embracing our personal transformations. It’s a way of celebrating who we are right now, and who we will be in the future. So, why not start the year by treating yourself (or a loved one) to something that will become a memento of your journey, a tangible reminder that your growth is something worth celebrating.

So, whether you’re buying a piece of jewellery to reward yourself for finally making it through that workout routine, or you're gifting someone a piece that symbolises their incredible potential in the new year, jewellery is the perfect way to mark your achievements and embrace life’s challanging journey. And when it comes to finding a collection that speaks to the twists, turns, and fabulous moments of your year, Annika Rutlin’s designs are the perfect fit. They’re elegant, they’re meaningful, and they’ll remind you that, no matter where life takes you, it’s always worth celebrating in style.

Talking of which, don’t forget that the 29th of January 2025 marks the start of the Chinese lunar new year of the Snake, celebrating the qualities and attributes traditionally linked to the Snake in Chinese culture, including wisdom, intelligence, transformation and renewal. Check out the information below to see if you are one of these graceful and mysterious creatures: 

·  27 January 1941 – 14 February 1942: Metal Snake

·  14 February 1953 – 2 February 1954: Water Snake

·  2 February 1965 – 20 January 1966: Wood Snake

·  18 February 1977 – 6 February 1978: Fire Snake

·  6 February 1989 – 26 January 1990: Earth Snake

·  24 January 2001 – 11 February 2002: Metal Snake

·  10 February 2013 – 30 January 2014: Water Snake

·  29 January 2025 – 16 February 2026: Wood Snake

·  15 February 2037 – 3 February 2038: Fire Snake

·  2 February 2049 – 22 January 2050: Earth Snake

·  21 January 2061 – 8 February 2062: Metal Snake

·  7 February 2073 – 26 January 2074: Water Snake

·  26 January 2085 – 13 February 2086: Wood Snake

·  12 February 2097 – 31 January 2098: Fire Snake

Look out for Annika Rutlin’s new Year of the Snake Collection - coming to annikarutlin.com very soon!

*[Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb]