Summer Jewelry Trends: Clover Jewelry Blooms

From Van Cleef & Arpels and Carl Blackburn to Judith Ripka and Mouawad, clover-themed jewelry is once again sprouting across the couture design landscape for summer. According to supermodel Heidi Klum, whose collection for Mouawad centers around diamond encrusted clover charms, the continued attraction of four leaf clover is easy to understand: "I think it's beautiful as a woman to have a good luck charm that you can keep with you…that someone can give to you. It's sweet and meaningful."

Revivalist California designer Carl Blackburn is helping set fire to the trend with over-sized clover-inspired gold pendants, as part of his new Neo-Classics™ Collection. Says Blackburn:

“Few symbols are more evocative for jewelry than the four leaf clover. It’s a centuries old icon, born from nature, which represents luck, faith, hope, and love. And as everyone knows, a little faith and luck is needed if you hope to find and keep that special someone in your life. The clover is an ideal symbol to show that, to show to your loved one you know just how lucky you are.”

A little research into the history of the clover reveals these interesting facts:

* In Irish tradition a four leaf clover (or shamrock) represents the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and God’s Grace.

* According to legend, Eve covered herself with a four leaf clover when she left the Garden of Eden.

* The women of ancient Rome wore clover charms to ensure their husbands’ enduring passions.

* The early Celts of Wales wore white clovers to bed as a talisman to ward off evil spirits.

* Some traditions believe that wearing a clover to bed will bring dreams of a future husband.

* Spiritualists have claimed that the four leaf clover releases energy that will help guide a person through life.