In my quest to source the perfect letter pendants and charms, I’ve come across so many different variations. Good thing, too—consumers are so into wearing initials, for a variety of reasons (their first names, the names of their loved ones, even their pets), it’s vital that something for everyone exists out there.
But what about numbers? Though arguably not as popular as letters, the numeric counterparts have their part to play, too. Does everyone out there have a lucky number? Something they’ve settled on for some reason or another? Perhaps it’s a birthday, a child’s birth date, an anniversary. I have a few numbers I suppose I could call favorites, though strangely, none of them have any major significance. I’ve always adored the number 12—couldn’t tell you why. For that reason alone, I’m not sure I’d consider it purchase-worthy, because it just doesn’t hold enough significance other than the fact that it has been a consistent favorite since I was very young (so maybe that is significant enough?).
There are people, though, for whom their lucky numbers are sacred. There’s Taylor Swift and her 13 (I don’t know why I know that). Athletes and their jersey numbers. I wanted to get the opinion of someone who is known for having an impressive jewelry collection, and Gem Gossip’s Danielle Miele is the best I know at sourcing meaningful pieces. “I have a vintage Roman numeral 3 I bought originally to sell, but I really liked it. The number 3 isn’t really significant in my life, but I figured it represents the three of us?” she tells me, referring to her family of three—her husband and young son. “I also have an 8 from Dana Seng Jewelry: 8 is my lucky number!”
That Miele can take a previously insignificant number and make it meaningful to wear makes me think that finding the perfect number pendant or charm might be more a chicken-or-egg kind of deal: Maybe the piece itself comes before its significance and it’s simply about finding something you love. Many of those pictured here are suddenly looking meaningful to me as an excuse to claim them (13 as an ode to my penchant for superstition; 2 because, well, it’s just a great number, right?).
If you’re really interested in finding “your number”—and I just learned this, thanks to GFG Jewellery’s website—you can calculate it using your birth day, month, and year (this article explains it better than I could, and now I fear I may have fallen down a numerology rabbit hole—my number is 5, it seems).
As collectible as charms are (I feel as if I’ve been writing about them nonstop all year, and I think rightfully so), I’m not sure a life-altering reason is necessary to justify their purchase. The assortment of number options alone should persuade anyone to choose one for their collections, because it rounds them out so well. You’ll have your letters, your talismans, your birthstones, maybe a zodiac sign—and your number, whatever that may be. And while I originally intended this feature to be solely about collecting charms, some other very persuasive options—rings and earrings—made their way into the lineup, too.
Top: 13 pendant in 14k yellow gold, $1,485; Established
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