This week, all across the country, people will be celebrating the United States’ semi-quincentennial, aka 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. New York City alone will be marking the occasion with several events, including a historic maritime procession, the dropping of the ball in Times Square eight times to mark our country’s eight time zones, and of course, Macy’s annual 4th of July fireworks.
While the week is set to usher in another record-setting heat wave, without question, people will be braving the weather to mark the occasion from the great outdoors. Obviously, thoughts of nature—whether in city parks or more bucolic environments—remind us of some of our favorite themes in jewelry. Rather than focus on the flora, which has been abundant in jewelry design for hundreds of years, we have been struck during recent U.S. Antique Show events by motifs featuring a range of fauna. From hummingbirds to monkeys to ever-popular serpents, wearing animals rendered in precious metals and gemstones remain among our favorite ways to honor nature.
Image courtesy of Lucas Botz Photography
In Japanese, the word Jizai translates to “freely” or “at will.” When applied to Jizai Okimono, a traditional art form that dates back to the Edo period, that freedom means fully articulated animals. During the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, Aayush from Aarya Collections shared with us four vintage pieces inspired by the historic technique.
As Marion Fasel stated in her book, Beautiful Creatures, which was published in conjunction with the 2020 exhibit she curated at the American Musuem of Natural History’s Gems & Minerals hall, “Butterflies have been among the most ubiquitous creatures in the animal jewelry kingdom over the last 150 years.” At the last edition of the LVAJWS, it was clear that butterfly design is still going strong, as seen in this vintage Victoria Casal pendant Janet from LZ Antiques shared with us.
Like many people, snakes are not the first thing I’d want to encounter on a walk in the woods or while pulling weeds in the garden, however, when seen in fine jewelry designs, sign me up! First popularized in the Victorian era, serpent jewelry has remained coveted since it originally gained prominence as a symbol of everlasting love. One maison who can take credit for keeping the serpents slithering their way into hearts across generations is Bulgari, as seen in this yellow and white gold version of their Serpenti collection found at the Arivarti Collection stand.
Humingbirds are said to symbolize joy, resiliance, adabtibility and emotional renewal, and anyone who has spent any amount of time watching these incredible creatures can see why. As the legendary David Attenborough stated in his documentary, “The Secret Life of Hummingbirds,” they are “the celebrities, the stars, of the bird world,” making them the perfect source of inspiration for jewelry design. We were absolutely wowed by the stunning, lifelike details in this set of Hummingbird brooches from Larochas Bijoux during our inaugural Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show last November, and delighted to see them still buzzing around during LVAJWS.
Hummingbird brooches found at Larouchas Bijoux, image courtesy of Lucas Botz Photography
While known more for their voices than for their flight patterns, parakeets are famously celebrated for being faithful and loyal pets, making these parakeet rings found at Rebecca Koven’s stand at the 2026 Original Miami Beach Antique Show (OMBAS) perfect for the seasoned traveler who wants a pet without all of the responsibility.
Parakeet rings found at Rebecca Koven, image courtesy of Lucas Botz Photography
Once again relying upon Marion Fasel’s historical knowledge, we turn to dragonflies. As she wrote in Beautiful Creatures, Dragonfly jewels came into vogue in the West after trade with Japan reopened in 1853. For thousands of years, the insects had been admired by the Japanese as cunning creatures and symbols of summer and autumn.” Though it is always a delight to discover examples of Dragonfly jewelry throughout history, it’s also exciting to see that the motif is still going strong in more contemporary pieces, like this vintage brooch from Henry Kankner.
Image courtesy of Lucas Botz Photography
Perhaps at the other end of the animal kingdom spectrum, our closest relatives, primates, also serve as inspiration for breathtaking jewelry designs. David Webb is considered the quintessential American jewelry designer, yet many of his work draws on animals found in the far reaches of the globe. During the 2026 Original Miami Beach Antique Show (OMBAS), we went bananas for the brand’s Twin Gorilla cuff, found at Akiba Antiques.
David Webb cuff found at Akiba Antiques, image courtesy of Lucas Botz Photography
No summer cookout is complete without the additon of one (or two) of man’s best friends running around, and thankfully, dog’s pictured in jewelry is another theme that continually pops up. One stunning example is this 1940’s brooch discovered at the N. Green & Son’s stand at the Coconut Grove Jewelry and Watch Show, which features an intricately carved pooch that helps keep fur babies close, even when they’re beating the heat in the respite of one’s air conditioned home!
