Chai Jewelry

Express your Jewish identity and pride with magnificent Chai jewelry from Israel! Boldly displaying the Hebrew word "Chai," or "life," these meaningful pieces symbolize the enduring spirit and longevity of the Jewish people, crafted in quality and style you can trust.

The Chai is one of the most recognizable and traditional of Jewish jewelry styles. It is a Hebrew word that means "life" or "alive" and its symbolism has made it a cornerstone among Jewish decorative motifs. Judaica Webstore has a tremendous selection of Chai jewelry in traditional and contemporary styles rendered in sterling silver, gold, and other materials. Choose from beautiful necklaces or pendants to wear around your neck, or a lovely bracelet to wear on your arm.

Judaica WebStore is the largest online destination for authentic Israeli Chai jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more, featuring hundreds of original designs by Israel’s leading jewelry artists. Since 1999, we have proudly shipped Jewish jewelry from Jerusalem to over one million customers worldwide, with fast and reliable international delivery.

This curated collection includes sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, diamond-adorned styles, Eilat stone, minimalist designs, and more—offering meaningful pieces for men, women, and children alike.

Most non-Jews know the phrase "L'Chaim", but not many know precisely what the term means. It is a Hebrew phrase that means "to life", and it is frequently confused with the word "chai" by non-Hebrew speakers. While both words relate to life, "L'Chaim" means "to life" but "chai" means "alive".

Chai forms the basis of common names given to many Jewish children: Chaim for boys and Chaya for girls.

Chai is immediately recognized in its written form, but many think of it more as a symbol rather than a specific word. This could be in part due to the numerological associations that many attach to it. The word is formed by combining the letters "chet" and "yod" and actually creates a very fluid symbol. This is why it so frequently appears on jewelry. While you will often see it appearing on its own as a pendant dangling from a chain, it is also a figure that is used as a base for Hebrew text or as a symbol with another sort of charm.

For instance, you might see the famous Hamsa, which is a hand symbol that is used to ward off the evil eye, with the Chai in the palm area of the hand itself. You will also see filigree designs that form the word Chai, and which are often made of silver or gold. Chai is also frequently placed inside of a heart, atop small disks or figures made of gold or silver, or even shaped entirely of diamonds or other gemstones.

It is found in both the biblical or ancient Hebrew lettering as well as in the more modern Hebrew scripts too. This makes it an easily recognizable and yet very flexible sort of jewelry to choose. Whether given as a gift or selected as one of your preferred pieces, Chai jewelry from Judaica Webstore is very unique and stylish.

The Chai Symbol: Jewish Numerology and the Power of 18

Chai jewelry holds unique significance in Jewish tradition through its deep connection to gematria, the ancient Jewish system of numerology where Hebrew letters carry numerical values. The Chai symbol consists of two Hebrew letters: Chet (ח) with a numerical value of 8, and Yud (י) with a value of 10, which together total 18—the number that has become one of Judaism's most auspicious and meaningful figures. This 18 connection transforms Chai from a simple word meaning "life" into a powerful numerical talisman representing vitality, good fortune, and divine blessing. Understanding that Chai equals 18 is essential to appreciating why this symbol resonates so deeply throughout Jewish culture, from the jewelry we wear to the gifts we give and the toasts we make celebrating life's joyous moments.

Chai as a Word Symbol: Hebrew Letters, Not Pictorial Design

The Chai symbol is distinctly a word symbol composed of two specific Hebrew letters (ח and י) that spell the Hebrew word for "life," making it fundamentally different from pictorial Jewish symbols like the Hamsa hand, menorah, or Star of David. When you wear a Chai necklace or Chai pendant, you're displaying actual Hebrew text—written characters from the ancient alphabet—rather than an abstract design or representational image.

This distinction matters because the Chai's power comes from the letters themselves, their gematria values, and the literal meaning of the word they spell, not from any visual metaphor or artistic interpretation. Many Chai jewelry designs feature these two letters in various calligraphic styles, from traditional Hebrew script to modern, stylized interpretations, but authentic Chai jewelry always maintains the integrity of these specific letter forms. Understanding the Chai as Hebrew lettering helps differentiate it from other Jewish symbols and ensures you recognize genuine Chai designs versus decorative patterns that merely resemble Hebrew characters.

The Mystical Meaning of the Number 18 (Chai)

In Jewish numerology (gematria), the number 18 holds profound spiritual significance as it represents "Chai," the Hebrew word for "life" (חי). The Hebrew letters Chet (ח) and Yud (י) that spell Chai have numerical values of 8 and 10 respectively, totaling 18, which is why this number has become one of Judaism's most powerful and beloved symbols.

Wearing Chai jewelry—whether necklaces, bracelets, or rings featuring the two Hebrew letters—serves as a constant reminder to choose life, embrace vitality, and affirm the Jewish value of "l'chaim" (to life).

Beyond its literal meaning, the number 18 carries deeper mystical significance in Kabbalah, representing the flow of divine life force into the physical world and symbolizing the 18 blessings of the Amidah prayer recited three times daily. This is why Jewish people traditionally give monetary gifts in multiples of 18 (18, 36, 54, 72, 180, etc.) for occasions like bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, and charitable donations—each gift becomes a blessing for life itself.

The Chai symbol also represents resilience and the Jewish people's enduring commitment to life despite historical challenges, making it particularly meaningful as both a personal talisman and a declaration of Jewish identity. When you wear or give Chai jewelry, you're not just displaying a beautiful symbol—you're carrying an ancient affirmation that life is sacred, precious, and worth celebrating every single day.

L'Chaim! The Chai Symbol and Jewish Celebrations of Life

The Chai symbol is inextricably linked to the Hebrew toast "L'Chaim" (To Life), the joyous exclamation Jews make when raising glasses at celebrations, making Chai jewelry a wearable affirmation of choosing life, vitality, and positive energy.

This connection between Chai and luck runs throughout Jewish tradition—wearing a Chai is believed to bring good fortune, protection, and blessings, serving as a constant reminder to embrace life's opportunities and face challenges with optimism. The symbol gained additional protective and auspicious meanings over centuries, with many Jews wearing Chai necklaces or Chai bracelets as talismans during important life transitions, travels, or challenging times, believing the symbol attracts positive energy and wards off negative forces. Beyond personal luck, the Chai represents the broader Jewish value system that prioritizes life above nearly all else, reflected in the Talmudic principle "pikuach nefesh" (saving a life) which permits breaking almost any Jewish law to preserve human life. When you wear Chai jewelry, you're not just displaying a beautiful symbol—you're carrying a philosophy that celebrates existence, chooses optimism, and toasts to life in all its complexity and beauty.

Gifting in Multiples of 18: The Cultural Tradition of Chai

The profound significance of Chai and the number 18 has created a unique Jewish cultural practice of giving monetary gifts and donations in multiples of 18, transforming every financial gift into a blessing for life itself. Whether giving $18, $36, $54, $180, or $1,800, these amounts carry symbolic meaning that transcends their monetary value, with each gift representing not just dollars but wishes for a long, healthy, and prosperous life.

This tradition is especially common for bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah gifts, weddings, baby namings, and charitable donations to Jewish causes, where writing checks in multiples of 18 has become so standard that recipients immediately recognize the thoughtfulness behind the specific amount. Chai jewelry gifts—particularly Chai necklaces given at life-cycle events—beautifully complement this tradition, offering a permanent, wearable version of the 18/Chai blessing that recipients can carry with them always. The custom of 18-based gifting demonstrates Jewish values in action: the integration of spirituality into practical life, the use of numbers for symbolic meaning, and the desire to infuse even financial transactions with blessings and deeper significance, making every gift an expression of hope that the recipient will live a long and meaningful life.

Looking for that special life-cycle gift? Shop our bar mitzvah gifts, bat mitzvah gifts, Jewish graduation gifts, and Jewish baby gifts! And learn more about top bar mitzvah gifts and top bat mitzvah gifts in our guides.

Take the tradition of giving in multiples of $18/Chai and gift that special someone a Judaica Webstore gift card—starting at $18 and perfect for any occasion!

Chai Jewelry for Every Milestone: Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and Beyond

Chai necklaces and Chai jewelry have become quintessential gifts for Jewish life-cycle celebrations, particularly bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, where the symbol's message of choosing life perfectly complements a young person's entrance into Jewish adulthood and responsibility. Receiving a 14k gold Chai pendant or sterling silver Chai necklace at age 13 represents both a beautiful piece of jewelry and a philosophical inheritance—a reminder that Jewish identity centers on affirming and celebrating life through mitzvot, community, and values. Many families establish traditions of gifting Chai jewelry at multiple milestones: a first small Chai for baby naming, a more substantial piece for bar/bat mitzvah, an elegant Chai for weddings, and eventually passing down vintage Chai pieces as family heirlooms connecting generations.

Chai jewelry also makes meaningful gifts for conversions to Judaism (symbolizing the choice to join the Jewish people and embrace Jewish life), graduations (celebrating educational achievement and new life chapters), or times of illness or difficulty (offering the protective and luck-bringing associations of the symbol). The versatility of Chai designs—from delicate, minimalist pendants to bold statement pieces, from traditional gold to modern rose gold or sterling silver—ensures there's a perfect Chai for every recipient and every occasion where you want to offer the ultimate Jewish blessing: L'Chaim—To Life!

Chai Jewelry Styles: From Classic to Contemporary

Chai jewelry spans an extraordinary range of styles, allowing wearers to express their connection to Jewish tradition in ways that match their personal aesthetic, from timeless classic designs to cutting-edge contemporary interpretations. Traditional Chai pendants feature the Hebrew letters in their standard form, often in warm yellow gold, creating pieces that would be recognizable and beloved by any generation of Jews and serving as reliable, elegant choices for formal occasions and religious settings. Modern designers have reimagined the Chai in innovative ways: minimalist versions with clean, geometric letter forms perfect for everyday layering; diamond-encrusted luxury Chais for special celebrations; two-tone designs combining white and yellow gold; silver for a chic, contemporary look; and even abstract interpretations.

Popular current trends include delicate Chai necklaces on thin chains that can be layered with other Jewish symbols, oversized statement Chais that make bold declarations of identity, and Chais combined with other elements like Hamsa hands or Stars of David creating richly layered symbolic jewelry. Whether you prefer a classic gold Chai that honors tradition or a modern design that bridges ancient symbolism with contemporary fashion, Chai jewelry offers endless possibilities for wearing the most life-affirming symbol in Jewish culture in a way that feels authentically you.

Modern Chai necklaces: Linking Tradition with Fashion

Modern Chai necklaces beautifully bridge ancient Jewish tradition with contemporary fashion, transforming a sacred symbol into versatile jewelry that works for every occasion from Shabbat dinner to the office.

Today's designers are reimagining the classic Chai pendant in innovative ways—minimalist designs for everyday elegance, diamond-encrusted versions for special celebrations, geometric interpretations with clean lines for modern aesthetics, and even two-tone pieces combining multiple colors or materials. While traditional Chai necklaces feature the Hebrew letters prominently, contemporary styles might incorporate the symbol subtly into abstract designs, layer it with other meaningful Jewish symbols like the Star of David or Hamsa, or present it in unexpected materials like Jerusalem stone or colorful enamel. Many young Jewish women now stack multiple delicate Chai necklaces at varying lengths, mix their Chai pendant with secular jewelry for an eclectic look, or choose oversized statement Chai pieces that boldly celebrate their identity.

Whether you prefer a classic gold Chai that your grandmother would recognize or a cutting-edge design that looks straight off a fashion runway, modern Chai necklaces prove that honoring tradition and expressing personal style aren't mutually exclusive—they're beautifully, meaningfully intertwined.

Explore our Chai necklace collection from Israel, and find the perfect Chai necklace or other Chai jewelry piece for yourself or a loved one in our Chai jewelry guide here.

Made in Israel: Our Authenticity and Verification

When purchasing Jewish jewelry made in Israel, you're not just buying an accessory—you're acquiring an authentic piece crafted in the Holy Land with direct connection to Jewish tradition, culture, and heritage. Israeli-made jewelry offers several distinct advantages: artisans working in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other Israeli cities bring generations of Jewish cultural knowledge to their designs; materials like Eilat Stone, Jerusalem Stone beads, and metals sourced or crafted in Israel carry inherent connection to the land; and your purchase directly supports Israeli artists, small businesses, and the Israeli economy.

However, with the global marketplace, it's essential to verify authenticity when sellers claim "Made in Israel" status, as mislabeling and imitation pieces do exist. At Judaica Webstore, we work directly with Israeli artisans and can verify the origin of our Israeli-made pieces, ensuring that when you purchase jewelry marked "Made in Israel," you're receiving genuine Israeli craftsmanship rather than mass-produced imports. This authenticity matters not only for quality and uniqueness but also for the spiritual and cultural significance—wearing jewelry actually created in the Land of Israel carries different meaning than wearing similar designs manufactured elsewhere, connecting you tangibly to the place where Jewish history unfolds and where ancient tradition meets contemporary Jewish life.

Expert Author: Evelina Grezak, Jewish Jewelry Specialist, based in Jerusalem