Collection: Bee Jewelry

What the bee stands for

Abundance and community, in that order. The bee is one of the oldest symbols of productive work — it appears on Napoleon's coronation robes, on Manchester's coat of arms, and in Egyptian iconography where bees were said to have come from the tears of Ra.

What makes it a good personal symbol is the scale mismatch. One bee is nearly nothing. The hive keeps a third of the food supply going. It's the symbol for people whose contribution is easy to overlook and impossible to remove.

Honey, hexagons and the details

Bee jewelry often carries the honeycomb hexagon alongside the insect, and the hexagon has its own logic: it's the most efficient way to tile a plane, which bees arrived at without being told. Designs that use it tend to read as geometric rather than cute, which suits people who find literal bees a bit twee.

Yellow and amber stones — citrine, amber, honey calcite — pair naturally and turn up in this collection for that reason.

Choosing a piece

Bee pendants are usually small, which is the point, and they layer well. Rings put the bee where you'll see it, which some people prefer for a symbol about persistence. Stud earrings are the most discreet version and the most commonly given as a gift.

What you're buying

Sterling silver or gold plate over base metal, specified on each listing. Where amber or citrine is used, the listing states whether it's genuine, heat-treated or reconstituted — heat-treated amethyst sold as citrine is extremely common in this category and we name it.

Amber is soft, around 2 on Mohs, and scratches easily. Keep it away from solvents and perfume; our crystal care guide has the rest.

Mystic Soul Jewelry — Canadian small business, Calgary, Alberta, since 2008.