Gracefully wrapped around the wrists, the snake bracelet is a piece of jewelry with a mysterious elegance. Whether worn as a single or double wrap, in gold or silver, with or without stones, the snake’s sinuous form has inspired jewelers and designers since antiquity. 

What is the meaning of the snake bracelet? 

The snake is one of history’s oldest symbols. Because it sheds its skin throughout its life, it is associated with renewal, rebirth, and the ability to reinvent oneself.

Regarded as an amulet in several civilizations, the snake jewelry reminds the wearer of their ability to evolve and move forward. It symbolizes personal transformation, inner strength, the rebirth that follows change, protection from negative energies, and also wisdom and knowledge. 

Worn around the wrists, the joint connecting the arm to the hand, it enhances strength and dexterity. 

The Victorian Era

The serpent jewelry, with its strong symbolic connotations, then seems to have fallen into oblivion until the 19th century, when the motif became popular again thanks to Queen Victoria. In 1839, she received a serpent ring adorned with a green Agate to consecrate her engagement to Prince Albert. This was at the beginning of the Victorian era, and the serpent, with its circular and sensual shape, then became a symbol of eternal love, fidelity, and attachment.

The Edwardian Period

In Denmark, Queen Alexandra made the serpent bracelet her favorite piece of jewelry, worn elegantly often over her gloves, but also directly on her skin. A fervent jewelry enthusiast, she maintained this trend throughout the 19th century, influencing the entire European aristocracy of the Edwardian period with her refinement. According to Jeanne Bell, author of "Collecting Victorian Jewelry: Identification and Price Guide" (2004): "The serpent motif was used throughout the Victorian era. On a stroll through London, one could see elegant women wearing serpent rings, serpent bracelets entwined around their arms, and serpents coiled on their brooches."

In many portraits of aristocrats from 1830 onwards, jewelry with sinuous shapes was worn as bracelets, bangles, cuffs, rings, earrings, brooches, or necklaces.

The painter George Goodwin Kilburne, a British portraitist of the late 19th century, depicts in Penning a Letter, a typical Victorian work, a young girl writing a letter, with one of these golden bangles coiled on her upper arm, attesting to the popularity of serpent jewelry.

Another version of the serpent bangle set with a Turquoise stone is painted by Anton Eisle, an Austrian portraitist of the 19th century, confirming the great popularity of the serpent bracelet at that time.

The 20th Century

In the 20th century, haute joaillerie adopted this symbol inspired by antiquity and mythology. Snake bracelets were pavé-set with diamonds and other precious stones, before costume jewelry in turn drew inspiration from reptilian shapes.

The legendary Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor, inspired by the role of Cleopatra she played in 1963, commissioned a solid gold watch bracelet from a famous Italian jewelry house: a piece that instantly became iconic!

Another public figure to succumb to the charm of the snake was Margaret of England, who perpetuated the long-standing British tradition associated with the symbolism of this piece of jewelry by collecting several bracelet models, which were sold at auction after her death in 2006.

Why choose a snake bracelet?

Wearing a snake bracelet means perpetuating an ancestral tradition that combines refinement and symbolism. Rich in meaning, it symbolizes strength, metamorphosis, change, and rebirth, but also infinite love and fidelity. 

It elegantly adorns the wrist with its sinuous lines and lends a majestic, sculptural touch to your outfit. 

How to wear the gold snake bracelet and which one to choose?

Thin snake bracelet, cuff or chain?

At LA2L, the snake bracelet is available as a gold bangle with two heads topped with fine stones. It fits all wrists with its opening at the front. 

Made of fine gold-plated brass, the wide-link chain is also punctuated with multicolored stones. A necklace with serpentine links coordinates with the chain for a timeless and feminine look.

As for the double-wrap cuff, also embellished with 2 fine stones, it wraps around the front or top of the arm by gently spreading the ends apart. 

Snake bracelet with or without stones?

Although the slender shape of the snake has often been revisited with simplicity, or just enameled, our Sissi collection features snake bracelets embellished with fine, semi-precious stones. Hand-cut in India, their appearance is unique, as is the quality and color of each stone: green agate, garnet, serpentine… There are multiple color options for most of the models available as rings, which have become iconic: Sissi double-head ring, Sissi stone snake ring, or even the Sissi wedding ring.

Single or double-wrap snake bracelet?

Our single bangle, with its opening at the front, has the advantage of being very light and easy to slip on with any outfit. It can be coordinated with other bangles for a mix of styles that reflects your image. 

The double-wrap cuff, which is ideally placed on the forearm, is a statement piece that is often enough on its own. 

The snake bracelet, between fashion and symbol, available through our Sissi collection

On its own, the snake bracelet is a strong stylistic signature, but in our Sissi collection, the reptilian theme is available in several ways. The rings use the same codes for a variation on the same theme. Double-wrapped with fine stones (Sissi New) or with double heads, like the bangles… The choice of rings is very rich, whether they are adjustable or not. 

The sinuous curve of the snake also plays a few tricks entwined around the ear with a very original ear cuff model or even with our double-wrap hoop earring. 

Whether it intrigues or captivates, the snake has always fascinated, between mystery and seduction.

Its magnetism and the sensuality of its curves have been interpreted in multiple ways throughout the centuries, but always with a strong symbolism and an assertive aesthetic.