The spiritual jewellery trend worn by the Duchess of Sussex – and Russell Brand

When asked, most women would concur that they wear jewellery to brighten up their look, enlivening their outfit via a smattering of silver or gold. But for a growing number of women – and men – their jewellery isn’t merely for adornment. It’s also for protection.

You might wonder what sort of armour can be offered by a cocktail ring or a necklace – hardly Grade A weapons, even in their chunkiest, heaviest forms. But this is protection of a more nebulous sort: spiritual protection, courtesy of the specific stones or designs used in their making.

Whacky as it may sound, jewellery that purports to ward off “evil energy” is big business, and growing in popularity all the time.  “We noticed a rise in people asking for crystals that resonate with a protective energy after Covid, and that has definitely remained,” says Jodie Perry, founder of Soulstice London, a crystal and wellness brand. “Rather than carrying them, a piece of jewellery can bring the crystal that little bit closer to the wearer, thanks to the skin connection.” Her current bestseller is a Protection and Grounding amulet by Amy Russell Taylor, £222.

Thanks to high profile names such as Victoria Beckham, who famously carries crystals with her when she’s travelling (black obsidian is her favourite “for protection and strength”), protective jewellery is now almost as mainstream as Mappin & Webb.

The Duchess of Sussex is another notable fan, and has been spotted several times wearing a £304 “Hamsa” ring by the brand Kismet by Milka. Featuring an ancient amulet symbolising the hand of God, the brand claims the ring is “the epitome of protection”, and will bring “happiness, luck, health and good fortune”.

The latest name to enter the fray isn’t a renowned jeweller with their finger on the pulse, but a disgraced comedian who has made a career out of holding one finger up to the establishment. Russell Brand is the latest person to extoll the virtues of “magic amulets” that he claims will ward off WiFi signals and other “evil energies”.

Whether they will ward off rape, sexual assault and abusive behaviour of the sort that Brand was accused of last year (he denies the allegations), he didn’t say. Posing with his new necklace, he did say that he had recently returned from Narnia, a destination which apparently required him to use an airport, as opposed to a wardrobe, to reach. Not the most ringing endorsement for a supposedly “magic” amulet, but we digress.

“As you know, airports are places full of all sorts of evil energies. Think of all the phones, all of the signals, corruptible and corrupting,” Brand said in a video, sounding as credible as Victor Kiam. “Luckily I wear this magic amulet from Airestech that keeps me safe. “Look at how strong I am,” he added, lifting up a suitcase. “I think this is making me more powerful.”

Brand’s bizarre contribution is unlikely to tarnish the popularity of the trend – not least because jewellery that purports to ward off evil energy has existed for millennia. Neanderthals fashioned jewellery from sea shells, bones, claws and animal teeth to protect themselves and mark their status, while during the Renaissance, particular types of stone were thought to protect against specific ailments or threats.

Different cultures value different talismans and stones. Traditionally, the Chinese believe in the protective properties of jade, while Indians revere the protection of rubies. In some Italian cultures, the cornicello, or “little horn”, a pendant that looks like a small chilli pepper, is believed to repel curses. Native American tradition, meanwhile, involved babies being given turtle-shaped amulets to protect against illness and ensure long life.

It’s also an idea firmly rooted in tradition. In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II held a state banquet for American President Donald Trump wearing a tiara made using Burmese rubies, said to ward off “evil energy”.

Those for whom a priceless ruby tiara is out of reach can avail themselves of a raft of protective pieces at every price point this season. One of the most popular is the “evil eye” charm, championed by many cultures as mirroring the malevolent glare of anyone who’d wish to harm their wearer, thus repelling their intention.

Particularly popular is the glass blue Nazar motif, as documented in ancient works by Plutarch, Virgil and Pliny, and as seen on the Duchess of Sussex and Naomi Campbell. The celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz is currently selling an “Against Evil Eye” 19 carat rose gold, topaz and diamond bracelet for £20,545, a sum which one would hope might guarantee not only to repel evil, but attract a lottery win.

As for which stones best offer protection, Jodie Perry suggests Black Tourmaline, Smokey Quartz and Shungite. “Crystals that have an element of metal or earthy minerals bring a frequency of grounding and protection. When you are grounded, you are in a stronger position to be able to bounce off unwanted energies, instead of being affected by them.”

The jewellery designer Marisa Hordern, owner of Missoma, attributes the popularity of protective talismans to our uncertain times, citing her In Good Hands pearl necklace, a collaboration with the fashion designer Harris Reed, as a current bestseller that has been worn by Meryl Streep, Rod Stewart and Hailey Bieber.

“In jewellery, meaning has never been so important,” she says. “Pearls are a symbol of wisdom, while in the Georgian tradition, clasped hands were used to represent friendship and love. Semi-precious gemstones are also rich with spiritual properties, each with their own meaning, from malachite for transformation to rainbow moonstone for new beginnings. Our customers like to change them up depending on their mood.”

Few could begrudge anyone a mood-boosting necklace, bracelet or ring, whatever their personal thoughts on its efficacy. If it makes you feel good, that’s enough. If it wards off evil? That can only be a bonus.

Try these...

Aquamarine and gold plated pendant, £49.99, Crystal Haze - Aquamarine is the stone of courage. It is said to reduce stress and enhance feelings of harmony

Jade stone and pearl necklace, £135, Sandraelxandra – Jade is believed to provide protection by staving off negative energy

Gold plated, evil eye and turquoise charm bracelet, £48, Ottoman Hands – The evil eye brings good luck and repels evil

Gold plated, carnelian, jade, amazonite, turquoise, apatite, red goldstone, lapis, hematite, pyrite and smoky quartz bracelet, £168, Astley Clarke  – This array of gemstones brings together all seven chakras

Ruby and gold earring, £265, Roxanne First – Rubies provide protection and stability