This week’s “Piece of the Week” is extra special as it ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake.
Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s “Snake” necklace features a 14-karat yellow gold omega chain.
A pear-cut emerald is set into the reptile’s head while a 2-carat pear-cut diamond dangles from its mouth and its eyes are two round brilliant-cut diamonds.
The one-of-a-kind necklace draws from Zhang’s previous “Snake” necklace designs, adding a diamond drop for her 2025 Lunar New Year collection.
The design was inspired by the Victorian-era jewelry in the brand’s antique collection and a ring that Prince Albert gave to Queen Victoria, explained Zhang.
The queen’s ring also featured a pear-cut emerald on the snake’s head and, because the reptile was coiled, it was considered to be a symbol of everlasting love.
Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s one-of-a-kind “Snake” necklace features a 14-karat yellow gold omega chain with two round brilliant-cut diamonds for its eyes, a pear-cut emerald on its head, and a 2-carat pear-cut diamond drop dangling from its mouth ($28,000).
While snakes in jewelry have become increasingly trendy over the last year, the reptile should enjoy an extra boost as the Chinese lunar calendar’s animal of the year for 2025.
In the calendar, there are 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig) that rotate annually to represent the energy of the year.
For 2025, expect the snake to bring wise and intuitive energy, offering opportunities for personal growth and change, according to this Chinese New Year 2025 guide.
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“My husband and I have been together for 11 years and the first Lunar New Year I celebrated [2014] was very early in our relationship and happened to be my year [the Year of the Horse]. Ever since then, I have loved celebrating the holiday and involving our two kids in the tradition.
“Next year will be Horse again and as it is my zodiac year, I will be very excited to create another new collection to celebrate,” said Zhang.
Every year since 2023, Zhang has created a collection of limited-edition pieces to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Her 2025 collection includes the “Snake” necklace, a jade chain, and two “Snake Jade” bracelets, one with a gold chain and the other with a red cord.
These three additional pieces are only available through January.
The “Snake” necklace retails for $28,000 and is available on the Ashley Zhang Jewelry website.
