As a child, I would religiously consult the daily newspaper before school to find my horoscope. It was a ritual I relied upon to keep me grounded. Astrology, even then, offered a symbolic language rather than a scientific one, a way of making sense of life’s contradictions, patterns, and moods. By linking human experience to a broader cosmic rhythm, it suggested we were part of something larger, more connected, and perhaps a little more considered.
That fascination never really goes away. It simply matures. Astrology has always been there, quietly advising from the courts of Roman emperors through to our Instagram feeds today. Its modern resurgence feels less about prediction and more about reflection. A framework people increasingly use to understand emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, career instincts, and personal psychology, often alongside therapy rather than instead of it.
Which is why the return of Zodiaque at Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets and necklaces taps directly into this moment, offering jewellery that feels intimate rather than ornamental. These are not trend pieces, but subtle expressions of identity, worn close to the skin. Astrology has slipped from niche fascination to cultural shorthand. Birth charts are dinner table conversation, zodiac signs a language of self-understanding. These are not pieces designed to declare belief. They sit firmly in the realm of personal codes, jewellery chosen with intention, worn quietly, noticed only by those who understand, translating astrology into modern heirlooms designed to be worn every day.
What makes these pieces feel so relevant now is their restraint. Crafted in a variety of golds, some featuring unique stones, each is refined and quietly luminous. One side depicts the Western zodiac sign in sculptural relief; the other shows its symbol and dates in Roman numerals. Decorative yet discreet, symbolic without being overt, they speak to a desire for jewellery that feels considered rather than performative.
The craftsmanship only deepens that appeal. Each medal is produced using the age-old technique of stamping, requiring up to eight strikes depending on the complexity of the sign. After shaping, the gold is meticulously reworked by hand to achieve a delicate patina, allowing polished three-dimensional motifs to glow against a subtly textured surface. It is a reminder that true luxury is rarely loud. Instead, it reveals itself through touch, movement, and the quiet assurance of something exceptionally well crafted.
Layered beneath it all is history. Zodiac jewellery has appeared in the Maison’s collections since the 1950s, first as gold medals and charms designed to bring good fortune. Over the decades, these celestial symbols have evolved through jewellery and watchmaking, from the bold silhouettes of the 1970s to the poetic astronomy timepieces of more recent years. The new Zodiaque collection feels like a distillation of that lineage, refined for modern life, wearable, personal, and timeless.
Seen through that lens, the Zodiaque pieces become more than jewellery. They feel like a curated lifestyle signal; thoughtful, personal, quietly expressive. If the stars really do shape who we are, could a zodiac medal be the most elegant way to honour that story, and perhaps the most subtle personal endorsement of your own unique personality?
