Hamsa Hand Jewelry in Style

Posted by Ulana Illiano on July 15th, 2009 — in Jewish Style, Symbolism | Click here to comment

Lauren Conrad, Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Lohan, and Nicole Ritchie wear hamsas

The other day, I was in a department store with my 14 year old daughter and we were checking out the jewelry showcases. I immediately spotted a hamsa necklace and a small selection of other hamsa jewelry — earrings, bracelets, etc. Needless to say I was surprised! At Jewish Gift Place, we have always carried hamsa jewelry, as well as wall hamsas and other hamsa hand home accessories, but I have not seen them carried at the local department store.

Celebrities Wearing Hamsa Hand

I pointed them out to my daughter and she told me that she loves hamsas and that they are really popular. She told me that many celebrities were wearing them including Lindsay Lohan, Zac Efron, Nicole Ritchie and Lauren Conrad from the hit MTV show, The Hills. I was pretty surprised. I had known about hamsas as an amulet of protection in many religions, but I had no idea they were a fashion trend! “It’s like a high five, Mom,” she said. Although I know the historic symbolism isn’t quite as simple as that, I thought it was great that the hamsa hand was becoming part of popular culture. Note to self: ask my daughter about these things more often! She told me that kids at school sometimes hold up their hamsas and say “talk to the hand!” as a little joke. Funny, I thought!

Hamsas at Jewish Gift Place

Risa Borsykowsky, owner of Jewish Gift Place and someone always on the lookout for beautiful and meaningful handcrafted merchandise, brought hamsas to Jewish Gift Place before it was a craze. When I first starting working for Risa, the hamsas immediately caught my eye. I particularly love the Michal Golan hamsas, especially her black hamsa pendant necklace which has become my signature gift to friends and family. I also love all of her wall hamsas which are, to me, the perfect housewarming gift. Last Hanukkah, Risa gave me this beautiful Michal Golan Colorful Freshwater Pearl Wall Hamsa which never fails to get noticed by visitors to my home. It is one my most prized possessions!

A Symbol of Peace

After that shopping excursion, I was definitely excited about the hamsa as a new fashion trend. A short time later, my daughter reported back to me with something new she had learned about the popularity of the hamsa hand. She told me that recently, Jewish activists for Middle East peace have begun wearing the hamsa as a symbol of the shared traditions between the Islamic and Jewish faiths. It was something she read about after the Iran election crisis. I was really happy to hear that. Young people seem to have connected with this powerful symbol, not only as a symbol of style, but as a symbol of hope – and that should give us all something to “high five” about.

Learn more about hamsa hand symbology.

See our entire collection of hamsas.