7 Types of Meaningful Hawaiian Jewelry

Whether you're a native-born islander looking for meaningful presents for loved ones or a passionate traveler searching for a timeless keepsake, Hawaiian jewelry is the perfect investment. There are countless styles to choose from on Hawaii gift sites like ours, from sterling silver jewelry to shark tooth jewelry and more. Learn more about what makes Hawaiian jewelry so special and discover the most popular styles to find the right fit for you.  

Find Meaningful Hawaiian Jewelry You Love

The jewelry we wear tells the story of us—so let your collection be filled with unique and brilliant pieces from around the globe! From upgrading to a new set of sterling silver jewelry for daily wear to showcasing your favorite shark tooth jewelry, how we accessorize helps the world get a glimpse of your style, personality, and interests. Everyone, from people searching for the perfect Hawaii gifts to take home from vacation to spiritual gurus looking for the best stone for balancing their chakras, can benefit from Hawaiian jewelry.    

What Makes Hawaiian Jewelry Unique?

While you browse through the collections of Hawaii gifts, don’t forget to look for a special piece for your own jewelry box. Luckily, Hawaiian jewelry is unbeatably unique and strikingly beautiful. Feel inspired by the three main reasons that sterling silver jewelry, shark tooth jewelry, and more are worth finding on the islands: 

Hawaiian Jewelry is Inspired by Nature 

Whether you're an avid jewelry collector or looking for a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, you’ll love the beauty of the islands that shines through in Hawaiian jewelry. From the filigreed sterling silver jewelry to the authentic shark tooth jewelry, every Hawaii gift draws design inspiration from the stunning nature of the isles. With palm trees swaying in the breeze, waves crashing to the shore, and adorable sea creatures swimming in the water, the amazing sights of Hawaii directly inspire the styles of Hawaiian jewelry.

Hawaiian Jewelry Designs Are Culturally Significant 

Many of the most popular pieces of Hawaiian jewelry are created with symbolic images that call back to the beliefs of the Native Hawaiians. Everything, from sterling silver jewelry made to look like the significant Maui fishhook to shark tooth jewelry gifts that act as protective talismans, stems from the myths and legends of Hawaii. Wearing one of these priceless Hawaii gifts is more than accessorizing; it’s immersing yourself in the rich culture and history of the state. 

Hawaiian Jewelry is Made with Expert Craftsmanship

When it comes to building a jewelry collection, skip the dime-a-dozen store-bought pieces. When you buy authentic Hawaiian jewelry, you invest in stunning pieces made by local artists who pride themselves on high-quality craftsmanship. Each of our artists combines their intricate attention to detail with carefully chosen stones, shark teeth, and metals to create natural and sterling silver jewelry that will last you a lifetime. 

Common Materials Used in Hawaiian Jewelry

When browsing through our glittering collections of Hawaii gifts, you’ll spot all kinds of colors, metals, and materials. Some of the most popular pendants and ornamentation include:

• Fossil pendants
• Shark tooth jewelry
• Gemstones
• Shells necklaces
• Metals

7 Popular Hawaiian Jewelry Designs

If you're searching for a piece of beautifully worked silver or shark tooth jewelry that will never go out of style, browse these seven most popular Hawaiian jewelry designs: 

1. Shark Tooth Jewelry

Whether you’ve been lucky enough to find one on the beach or have only seen them in museums, shark tooth jewelry is one of the most famous examples of Hawaiian jewelry. Some people collect teeth from different species to keep in display classes, but many people worldwide wear them on shark tooth jewelry strands as necklaces. When it comes to picking a design, you can choose between a one-of-a-kind real shark tooth or a sterling silver jewelry pendant.

Shark tooth jewelry is more than a hardcore accessory. For thousands of years, Native Hawaiians have believed that they carry spiritual protection and healing properties. It’s said that wearing shark tooth jewelry brings good luck, offering strength and protection on any long journey. That’s why shark tooth jewelry pendants make especially meaningful Hawaii gifts for travelers, sea-faring friends, and surfers.  

How to Tell If Shark Tooth Jewelry is Real

When buying shark tooth jewelry for your Hawaii gift, it's important to be able to trust your jeweler. When designers buy their shark teeth, they use trustworthy methods to authenticate them before using them in their shark tooth jewelry pieces. Authentic shark teeth have many imperfections, such as discoloring, cracks, pits, weathering, and erosion—so keep a look out for any shark tooth jewelry that looks suspiciously damage-free!

2. Healing Crystal Jewelry

Gemstone jewelry is all around us. From the engagement rings passed down by a family member to the souvenir ring you find in a Hawaii gift shop, these glittering gemstones are everywhere—and with good reason! When it comes to shopping for beautiful Hawaiian jewelry, there's nothing more timeless and elegant than a piece featuring colorful, bright, and powerful healing crystals. 

Healing crystals are often revered as gifts from Mother Earth herself, making them a popular choice for locals and tourists alike. These vibrant minerals make perfect embellishments for sterling silver jewelry like rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. With a rainbow of cuts and colors to choose from, there's a piece for everyone. 

Common Healing Crystal Meanings

Hawaii gifts tend to have a second spiritual meaning, and healing crystal jewelry is no different. Did you know that many people worldwide believe that vibrant gemstones are more than just natural rock formations? Each one is attributed with powerful healing benefits, like: 

• Green agate: green agate earrings are thought to increase generosity and enhance emotional range.
• Labradorite: wearing labradorite could bring transformation and self-discovery to the wearer.
• Carnelian: the orange, rust-red carnelian stone is believed to stabilize emotions and restore confidence.
• Rose quartz: the baby-pink version of the quartz stone is thought to open the heart to love oneself and others.
• Poppy jasper: there are many things to learn about poppy jasper, but it’s commonly worn to balance the yin and yang energy and harness tranquility.
• Moonstone: pearlescent and stunning, moonstone is thought to help you find your natural rhythm.
• Amethyst: this fantastic purple stone is believed to keep you grounded and prevent overwhelming emotions.

3. Baltic Amber Jewelry

Connect with the earth with glowing Baltic amber jewelry. Though it may look like the colorful gemstones found in healing crystal jewelry, Baltic amber is a type of fossil and not a stone. Millions of years ago, pine tree resin dripped from the trunks and became fossilized, creating the richly hued Hawaiian jewelry decoration we know and love. 

With versatility, various colors, and different finishes, Baltic amber is highly coveted for jewelry designers worldwide. But wearing a set of Baltic amber earrings or a string of amber beads is more than a fashion statement.

Many people believe the healing properties of Baltic amber can aid in inflammation and pain relief. It's said that the combination of your body’s heat and Baltic amber releases a natural antioxidant that increases cell turnover, making it the perfect substance for skincare, teething, and arthritic pain.  

4. Butterfly Wing Jewelry 

Whether you find a lone butterfly fluttering through the air or stumble across an entire colony taking flight, butterflies are some of the most magical creatures found in nature. With gorgeous geometric wing patterns and a rainbow of hues, butterfly-inspired jewelry is a popular Hawaii gift. While some pieces are designed to be shaped like a butterfly, the most elegant and timeless style is an authentic, preserved butterfly wing. 

Every butterfly wing in our collection is set in high-quality acrylic and sterling silver to create a long-lasting accessory. Each wing in our Hawaii gifts store is ethically and sustainably sourced from butterfly farming projects or those who've died from old age. No wing is exactly alike, making every single butterfly wing pendant one-of-a-kind. 

What Does the Butterfly Symbolize in Jewelry?

With a short but quick lifespan, the metamorphosis of a butterfly is often used as a symbol in art, media, culture, and jewelry. Wearing unique butterfly earrings symbolizes transformation, spirituality, renewal, freedom, and happiness. Whether you're looking for the perfect Hawaii gift for someone entering a new phase in their life or discovering your own personal growth, butterfly wing jewelry is the perfect present. 

5. Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver jewelry represents the natural beauties of the islands in a form that will last you a lifetime. While there will always be a time and place to wear fabrics, leather, and other materials, sterling silver jewelry offers durability and timeless style. When you find a sterling silver jewelry piece you love, you can wear it daily with no worries.  

For a meaningful souvenir that leans away from colorful gemstones, fossils, or shark teeth, sterling silver jewelry is the way to go. With a combination of filagree metalwork and inspired designs, every piece of our sterling silver jewelry captures the essence of Hawaii. Browse through earrings, necklaces, and pendants to find a design you adore.   

What is Filagree?

When you shop for stunning sterling silver jewelry, many pieces have an intricate metalwork design called filagree. Filagree is a traditional ornamental work woven from thin silver or gold metals to create a delicate, almost lace-like look. Jewelry artists use this technique to add texture and style to sterling silver jewelry pieces like pendants and earrings. 

The Meanings Behind Popular Sterling Silver Jewelry Pendants

Just because sterling silver jewelry isn't made from a material found in Hawaii doesn't mean you can't find one with symbolism! Some of the most popular Hawaii gift designs have a special island meaning: 

• Sea turtle: turtles or honu, as we call them in Hawaii, are associated with wisdom, patience, and endurance 
• Shark tooth: wearing shark tooth jewelry offers protection, strength, and courage
• Wave: waves are often a symbol of connection to nature and going with the flow
• Fish hook: Maui's fish hook symbolizes the essential relationship between humans and the ocean, bringing good luck and prosperity to any wearer
• Pele's Tears: wearing Pele's Tears earrings references the legendary goddess and creator of the Hawaiian islands, the symbolism of passion, fire, and the earth 

6. Water Buffalo Horn Jewelry

Water buffalo horn jewelry is the perfect fit for a down-to-earth, natural style! With a rich, multi-color palette and mottled pattern, water buffalo horn is an amazing alternative to illegally traded tortoise shells that jewelers used to use.

Spotting a wild water buffalo or sporting an elegant piece of water buffalo jewelry is a sign of your strength, dedication, and connection to Mother Earth. Water buffalos are the most common animal in the world, so there are plenty of horns available to make stunning jewelry pieces, like the water buffalo bangle, leaving no waste behind. 

Benefits of Water Buffalo Horn in Jewelry:

• Eco-friendly
• Lightweight feel
• Organic
• Chemical free
• Multi-colored appearance

7. Ammonite Fossil Jewelry

Feel connected to the rich history of our world by sporting fossil jewelry! There's nothing more exciting than taking part of history home with you, and fossil jewelry connects us to those stories forever. The most popular fossilized pendant for Hawaiian jewelry is the ammonite fossil, known for its cephalopod spiral. 

Most fossils in Hawaii jewelry are found in lava tubes and caves, and whether you come across one on a spelunking adventure or buy one at a Hawaii gift shop, they offer a rustic style. Ammonite fossils aren't just a fashion statement—these centuries-old artifacts are believed to have countless healing properties, such as aiding digestion and reducing pain in childbirth. Wear a large ammonite pendant and see for yourself!

Buy an Authentic Hawaii Gift

Hawaiian jewelry takes inspiration from the myths and beauty of the island to create long-lasting souvenirs you’ll wear for years to come. From finding gemstone and sterling silver jewelry and harnessing its healing benefits to rocking a shark tooth jewelry design year-round, everyone should invest in real Hawaii gifts.

The next time you're in Hawaii, you can skip the basic souvenir shops and invest in a real, high-quality Hawaii gift! Whether looking for the perfect jewelry piece to reminisce on your travels or gifts for your friends and family back home, Hawaiian jewelry is the perfect blend of sentiment and style. Gift a striking sterling silver jewelry set to the trendsetters in your life, or buy a protective shark tooth jewelry pendant for adventurers—there's a perfect Hawaii gift for everyone!