Year of the Dog: jewellery boasting the image of our four-legged friend

January 11, 2018

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

The Chinese or Eastern calendar is considered one of the most ancient in the world. According to legend, the rat, bull, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig were first to go to Buddha to celebrate the New Year. In honour of each of the animals, Buddha then named the years into a 12-year cycle. Since then, these animals return to us in turn.

According to beliefs, for the year to be lucky and successful, you must cajole the animal-symbol of the corresponding year. This can be done, for example, by correctly selecting clothes and accessories. The main colours of 2018 – the Yellow Earth Dog – will be yellow, black, gold and orange, so any jewellery made from gold is relevant. But if you want to find jewellery with the image of our four-legged friend, then it won’t be so easy – the active and inquisitive animal is rarely associated with luxury and glamour in the eyes of jewellers. But, fortunately, there are some surprising exceptions and five of my favourite are listed below.

Boucheron Laika ring with aquamarine from L'Hiver Imperiale collection

Boucheron Laika ring with aquamarine from L'Hiver Imperiale collection

Boucheron

In 2016, the jewellery house Boucheron presented a new collection of high jewellery art, L’Hiver Impérial, inspired by the snowy expanses of Russia. Working on this extensive collection, Boucheron designers tried to capture not only the beauty of nature, buildings and people, but also that of the animal world. So the northern Husky driving dog was moved from the snowy expanses to the world of jewellery. In this collection, the Laika le Husky ring and watch are dedicated to her in the same design. They are made in 18K white gold, diamonds, sapphires, spinels, rock crystal and jade to recreate the dog’s canine muzzle and transparent floes of ice.

Boucheron hasky secret watch from L'Hiver Imperiale collection

Boucheron hasky secret watch from L'Hiver Imperiale collection

href=”http://www.vancleefarpels.com/ww/en/collections/high-jewelry/arche-de-noe-racontee-par-van-cleef—arpels.html” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Van Cleef&Arpels

The “La Boutique” collection of miniature brooches by Van Cleef & Arpels was first presented in the distant year of 1954. The main characteristics of its design features were such mischievous amusing animals that even Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis could not deny themselves the pleasure of collecting them. Continuing with this tradition, in 2016 the house presented the high jewellery art collection L’Arche de Noé – another reference to the theme of the animal world in paired brooches, among which you might chance upon delightful dachshunds of black onyx and snow-white diamonds. A new Dog brooch was launched in 2017 as a part of the Lucky Animals™ collection, in yellow gold with mother-of-pearl and onyx.

Van Cleef&Arpels brooch from L’Arche de Noé collection with onyx and diamonds

Van Cleef&Arpels brooch from L’Arche de Noé collection with onyx and diamonds

 Van Cleef&Arpels Lucky Animals brooch with mother-of-peals and onyx in yellow gold

Van Cleef&Arpels Lucky Animals brooch with mother-of-peals and onyx in yellow gold

 Van Cleef&Arpels Lucky Animals brooch with mother-of-peals and onyx in yellow gold

Van Cleef&Arpels Lucky Animals brooch with mother-of-peals and onyx in yellow gold

href=”http://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/tiffany-charms#” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Tiffany&Co

One of the most popular pieces by this American brand is their charms. At Tiffany&Co, charms are presented in a great variety of designs. Of course, in this collection there was a place for the four-legged creature who is man’s best friend. The Tsavorite Dog Charm is made from white gold with diamonds and tsavorites, and in its outlines you can unmistakably make out the Schnauzer. And the voluminous charm in the form of a playful dog in yellow gold with diamond eyes was created specifically as one of the 12 symbols in the Chinese character by the designer Paloma Picasso. 

Tiffany&Co Paloma's Chinese Zodiac Dog Charm, New Yorkie charm in gold, Tsavorite Dog charm in white gold with diamonds

Tiffany&Co Paloma's Chinese Zodiac Dog Charm, New Yorkie charm in gold, Tsavorite Dog charm in white gold with diamonds

href=”https://qeelin.com/en/jewellery/collections/wang-wang/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Qeelin 

The creative director of Queeling, Dennis Chan, is a passionate admirer both of dogs and diamonds. He combined them to create the “Wang Wang” collection, which translates from Mandarin as “Woof Woof”. Earrings, rings, necklaces and pendants with images of various breeds of dog are made in white and pink gold, covered with scarlet rubies, as well as black and colourless diamonds, and blue and pink sapphires. The result is jewellery that is touching and comical, and the choice on offer is limitless: the chihuahua, French bulldog, golden retriever, corgi rumbo, poodle, schnauzer, morgan and labrador.

Qeelin Wang Wang collection

Qeelin Wang Wang collection

 Qeelin Wang Wang collection ring

Qeelin Wang Wang collection ring

 Qeelin Wang Wang collection pendant

Qeelin Wang Wang collection pendant

 Qeelin Wang Wang collection ring

Qeelin Wang Wang collection ring

 Qeelin Wang Wang collection pendant

Qeelin Wang Wang collection pendant

 Qeelin Wang Wang collection pendant

Qeelin Wang Wang collection pendant

href=”http://www.suzannesyz.ch/” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>Suzanne Syz 

Suzanne Syz is also madly in love with dogs, and her jewellery is perhaps the most personal. Back in 2011 she created a bracelet on which she captured all her pets. 8 lovely muzzles engraved on rock crystal, and then painted by hand and place on mother-of-pearl. The portraits are framed with colourless and cognac diamonds, and are connected by elements of pink gold. To immortalise the name of each pet, the designer put their names on the back of the bracelet.

Suzanne Syz bracelet with rock crustal and diamonds in rose gold

Suzanne Syz bracelet with rock crustal and diamonds in rose gold

Despite the fact that in the world of jewellery art there were no special collections for the Year of the Dog, several leading watch brands gave special attention to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac and created unique collection models featuring dogs. You can read more about them in a separate article.

Statement Earrings: Hot Trend to Follow in Winter 2018

continue reading

Haute Couture 2025: The Unconventional Lines of the Vhernier Ardis High Jewellery Collection 

Let's take a closer look at the pieces that launched at Paris Haute Couture week, including the sculptural necklaces we simply couldn't leave without photographing.

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: The 70s Depths of the Piaget Shapes of Extraleganza High Jewellery Collection

Through the Piaget Society, a circle of artists, collectors and freethinkers, the Maison helped shape the cultural zeitgeist of the 1970s.

by Claire Roberts

Haute Couture Week 2025: The Gentle Flutter of Mikimoto Les Pétales High Jewellery

Let’s take a closer look at some of the aristocratic highlights of this latest Mikimoto offering…

by Sarah Jordan

Elevated Expression: Examining The Jade Dynasty Collection by Austy Lee

Austy Lee is someone we return to time and again here at KaterinaPerez.com, largely because the designer's work never fails to impress. Let's hear what he has to say on China's most emblematic mineral…

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: The Biggest High Jewellery Trends to Emerge from Paris 

Transformability was a recurring theme, as were bold uses of colour, sculptural silhouettes and rare gemstones with compelling stories. Here are the key trends that defined the 2025 high jewellery season.

by Joshua Hendren

Flower Power: The Uplifting Energy of Jewels in Full Bloom 

Florals have long been a favourite in fine jewellery, and they never lose their charm. This year’s Couture show in Las Vegas proved just how inventive floral jewellery can be, bursting with colour, craftsmanship, and imagination

by Hirshi Sujanti

You’ve Got the Moves: Kinetic Jewellery with Moving Elements

Sometimes, at the Couture Show, you encounter a trend that feels perfectly attuned to the times we’re living in. This year in Las Vegas, that trend was movement. Or, more precisely, moving elements that speak to that very human desire to keep our hands busy, our senses engaged, and our minds soothed.

by Claire Roberts

Verified in Vegas: The Biggest Jewellery Trends of the Couture Show 2025

The Couture Show presents a curated view of the best in craftsmanship, design, fresh ideas and originality, which is why it’s such a vital place to forecast the ‘next big thing’. Here’s what I have gleaned from this year’s State-side events

by Sarah Jordan

Instant Charm: Celebrating New Creations with Karina Choudhrie Jewels

Let's take a closer look at the latest pieces that have emerged from Karina's incredible imagination…

by Katerina Perez

Key Facts About Gold: An Ancient Symbol of Power and Luxury

In an age where digital currencies rise and fall, gold remains a universal symbol of stability, beauty, and lasting worth. It is worn on the skin, locked in vaults, and passed down through generations as a living legacy.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Little Legends: The History and Power of Pinky Rings

Pinky rings have long carried cultural weight - from Ancient Mesopotamian seals to Egyptian signets and Japanese kamon heirlooms. Today, the style is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to contemporary designers and a growing list of high-profile wearers, including Meghan Markle, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski

by Joshua Hendren

Forever in Bloom: The Timeless Charm of Flowers in Jewellery

Flowers may fade in a vase, but flowers in jewellery—they bloom eternally

by Hirshi Sujanti

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.