Evil eye pendants and necklaces are worn for protection â the eye looks back at whatever is directed at you. It is one of the oldest motifs still in production, shared across Greek, Turkish, Jewish and Latin American tradition, and it is bought as often for the wearer as for a gift. The pieces here are solid 14K and 10K gold and .925 sterling silver, set with blue and clear cubic zirconia, blue spinel, sapphire or diamond.
Some are charms sized for a bracelet as well as a chain, some are complete necklaces on their own chain, and several combine the eye with a hamsa hand â those sit here and in hamsa pendants both. For other protective and symbolic designs see good luck charms and Judaica, or browse all pendants and charms and necklaces.
More about evil eye jewellery
What the evil eye means
The belief is that envy or ill will can be directed at a person, and that an eye worn openly turns it back. The charm is called a nazar in Turkish and a mati in Greek, and the same idea appears across the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Latin America. Most people who wear one today treat it as a traditional good-luck piece rather than a literal shield, which is why it is given at births, graduations and new starts.
Why it is almost always blue
Blue is the traditional colour of the charm, which is why these are set with blue cubic zirconia, blue spinel or blue sapphire against a white or clear stone for the eye itself. A few use coloured enamel instead of stone. The metal and the setting drive the price far more than the stone does.
Pendant, charm or complete necklace
Several of these are charms, small enough to wear on a bracelet as well as a chain. Others are pendants made to hang alone, and a few arrive as complete necklaces on their own chain at a stated length. The product page says which, and gives the bail size where the piece is sold on its own.
Metals and stones
Solid 14K and 10K gold, stamped for purity, and .925 sterling silver stamped 925. Nothing here is plated metal. Stones run from cubic zirconia, the usual choice and the reason the entry price is low, through blue spinel to natural sapphire and small diamonds on the higher-priced pieces. Each product page lists stone type and weight.
Common questions
What does an evil eye necklace mean?
It is worn for protection. The tradition holds that envy or ill will directed at a person can be turned back by an eye worn openly. Today most people wear one as a traditional good-luck piece, and it is a common gift for a birth, a graduation or a new start.
Is it alright to buy an evil eye as a gift?
Yes, and it is one of the more common reasons people buy one. The charm is given rather than kept in several of the traditions it comes from, so there is no custom against gifting it. It suits someone starting something new.
Why are evil eye charms blue?
Blue is the traditional colour of the charm across Greek, Turkish and Mediterranean custom. That is why these are set with blue cubic zirconia, blue spinel or blue sapphire, usually against a clear or white stone that forms the eye itself.
What is the difference between an evil eye and a hamsa?
A hamsa is an open hand and an evil eye is the eye motif. They are often combined, with the eye set into the palm of the hand, because both are protective symbols. Pieces carrying both appear on this page and on the hamsa page.
Do these come with a chain?
Most are pendants and charms sold on their own, so you can choose the chain and the length. A few are complete necklaces supplied on their own chain. The product page states which, and gives the length where a chain is included.
What metals are these made in?
Solid 14K and 10K gold, stamped for purity, and .925 sterling silver stamped 925. None of the pieces here are plated metal. The product page states the metal and purity for each one.
Can a child wear one?
They are frequently bought for babies and children, which is one of the oldest uses of the charm. Choose a small pendant on a short fine chain for a child, and check the length on the product page.
