Jewellery Horoscope: The Fifth Zodiac Sign, Embodied in Precious Jewels

August 20, 2020

By Katerina Perez

8 min read

August, the last month of summer, is inextricably linked with the lion, the king of beasts (“Leo” in the zodiac). According to the horoscope, Leos are bright, charismatic people striving for wealth and luxury, which is exemplified in the Lion jewellery showcased in this article.

The image of the majestic predator was closely associated with the late Coco Chanel, whose birthday falls on 19 August, throughout her life. As a fan of astrology, Mademoiselle Chanel believed in horoscopes and predictions, and therefore lions featured prominently in her work. Buttons, embroidery, buckles and, of course, jewellery – the lion’s noble face can be found in many of Mademoiselle’s creations, as well as in the modern collections of Chanel, which pay tribute to its founder. The largest high jewellery collection dedicated to Mademoiselle Chanel’s favourite big cat was called Sous Le Signe du Lion, which launched in 2013. Decorated with monochrome diamonds and shiny beryls, intricate details and prominent volumes, there was such a variety of precious interpretations that there was more than enough for a whole pride of lions.

Chanel L’Esprit du Lion “Timeless” diamond watch in 18 carat white gold

Mademoiselle even attributed some of the king of beasts’ infamous traits to herself: I am a lioness and, like a lion, I protract my claws in defence. But, believe me, when I attack, I suffer more than when they attack me, she once said.

A fan of astrology, Mademoiselle Chanel believed in horoscopes and therefore lions featured prominently in her work

Yellow and white diamond tassel necklace from Chanel's L'Esprit du Lion high jewellery collection

Chanel Lion Mosaique diamond ring in 18 carat white gold from Chanel's Sous le Signe du Lion collection

Diamond ring in 18 carat white gold from Chanel's Sous le Signe du Lion collection

Chanel Lion Talisman diamond pendant necklace from the Sous le Signe du Lion collection

Onyx and diamond Constellation du Lion ring from Chanel's Sous le Signe du Lion collection

Chanel Lion Imperial diamond ring

White opal and diamond Constellation du Lion ring

Another collection, The Chanel Lion, was released by the Maison in 2018 and brought together 53 pieces of jewellery and watchmaking. One of the most impressive pieces is the legendary transformable necklace in 18 carat white and yellow gold, set with a single 30.19 carat yellow diamond and over 1,200 colourless diamonds.

L'Esprit du Lion high jewellery secret watch in 18 carat white gold, set with a 37.41 carat hand-carved beryl and diamonds

Maison Van Cleef & Arpels has also, through the years, translated this formidable predator in a number of cute brooches that are crafted to make even the most serious person smile. Featuring a tousled lion cub with emerald eyes, the Lion Ebouriffé gold brooch, which dates from the 1960s, has been recreated a number of times and repeatedly appeared at auction sales at Christie’s, Phillips and Artcurial. The same cute “baby”, made of gold and tiger’s eye, has entered the modern animalistic collection of brooches called Lucky Animals.

Van Cleef & Arpels' charming Lucky Animals Lion brooch in onyx, tiger's eye and 18 carat yellow gold

The original Van Cleef & Arpels Lion Ebouriffé brooch dating from the 1960s

Another Van Cleef & Arpels interpretation of a lion: a brooch set with Fancy yellow diamonds

The king of beasts has also been immortalised by Van Cleef & Arpels on the dial of the Lady Arpels Zodiac Lumineux Leo watch from the Poetic Complications collection. The enamelled blue dial bears a relief image of a lion in yellow gold with transparent orange and yellow enamel over silver foil, with its luxuriant mane comprised of round-cut yellow sapphires and spessartines and the lion’s eye formed of a single round-cut blue sapphire. “The lion is a sign of fire, traditionally associated with greatness, courage and generosity,” reads the description of this timepiece on the Van Cleef & Arpels website.

Van Cleef & Arpels' poetic Lady Arpels Zodiac Lumineux Leo watch

The enamelled blue dial bears a relief image of a lion, with its luxuriant mane formed of yellow sapphires and spessartines

Perhaps one of the most famous lion jewellery pieces is a David Webb bracelet. This is largely thanks to the renown of the Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, who had a particular passion for the American jeweller’s work. The twisted ruby strand bracelet, adorned with a diamond lion’s head with emeralds and gold accents, was inspired by David Webb’s 1965 double-headed predator necklace.

The David Webb Elizabeth Taylor Lion bracelet in yellow gold with ruby beads, diamonds and emeralds

Another version of the David Webb Elizabeth Taylor Lion bracelet with ruby beads, diamonds and emeralds

Gucci’s lions from last year’s Hortus Deliciarum (Garden of Delights) high jewellery collection also stand out for their memorable designs. They invariably hold their prey in their teeth – an intensely coloured gem whose radiance is intensified against a backdrop of monochrome gold. “The lion has become a symbol of Gucci. The animal’s image is actively used in the creation of models as a testament to the company’s respect for wild animals and nature,” Gucci representatives assure. And these are not just empty words: the Maison guarantees compliance with the standards of social and environmental responsibility, both within the company and by those operating throughout its supply chains.

Gucci's lions hold their prey - precious gems - in their mouths in the Hortus Deliciarum high jewellery collection

Canadian jeweller Nick Koss has also dedicated a whole collection to these beautiful predators under his Volund brand. The Lions collection includes a pendant with yellow sapphires and diamonds, a bracelet with two emerald-eyed lions staring proudly at each other, drop earrings with pearls and cufflinks. Made in the art deco style, they convey the grandeur and power of this animal, whose mane is very clearly transformed into a crown.

Volund Lioness diamond and sapphire pendant in 18 carat white and yellow gold

Volund Lion diamond and Akoya pearl earrings in 18 carat yellow and white gold

Volund Lioness diamond and emerald bracelet in 18 carat yellow gold

Volund Lion diamond cufflinks in 18 carat yellow and white gold

Volund Lion diamond, emerald and blue sapphire ring in 18 carat yellow gold

Volund Lion Cub yellow sapphire, emerald and diamond ring in 18 carat yellow gold

Volund diamond, orange sapphire, emerald and tsavorite Lioness ring in 18 carat rose gold

Inspired by the grace and elegance of these savannah dwellers, the pendant lions in Stenzhorn’s WildLife collection also boast outstanding manes. The founder of the company, Klaus Stenzhorn, saw these magnificent animals on a trip to Africa and subsequently decided to recreate them in diamonds and yellow and orange sapphires, conveying the impressive strength and grace of these majestic animals.

Stenzhorn Savages Lion pendant from the Wild Life collection

Set with yellow sapphires and diamonds, it perfectly captures the powerful presence of the lion

Stenzhorn Savages Lion pendant with white diamonds set in 18 carat white gold

A third Savages pendant features two lion heads, brought to colourful life in yellow and orange sapphires

It us clear that every jeweller views this wild cat in his or her own way, capturing the many facets of a lion’s personality. Roberto Coin captures the ferociousness of an attacking lion in a dramatic ring from his Animalier collection while Chaumet paints an altogether more serene picture with its graceful sapphire-studded brooch depicts a lion stretching lazily forwards, his tail crowned with a pear-shaped diamond.

Chaumet captures a more gentle side to the lion with its graceful sapphire-studded brooch

Roberto Coin captures the ferocity of the king of beasts with its diamond and ruby Lion ring in 18 carat yellow gold

These diverse bejewelled creatures all reflect one of the characteristic features of this zodiac sign. Take a closer look at them and, if you are a Leo, perhaps you will recognise some of your own traits.

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