Jewelry

[Gregory Matthews]

The following article reports on a research project that attempted to study Adventist views on jewelry.

https://spectrummagazine.org/views/adornment-or-apostasy-a-research-project-examines-generational-divides-on-jewelry/

 

[Asia Joe]

Quote

The study was a sociocultural examination of jewelry within the Adventist community, focusing on generational divides and the changing ring fingers of Adventism.

I find these articles very funny. The research they did was at SAU. Okay, fine. 

But it was not an "examination of jewelry within the Adventist community".  It was an examination of jewelry within the SAU community.

Spectrum and others speak as though they are reporting on the Adventist Community. No, they are at best reporting on the 6% of the Adventist Community in NAD. 

For over 90% of the Adventist Community, Jewelry is a non issue. 

[Gustave]

I'm almost positive SDA's wear rings, earrings - at least around here they seem to. 

[Asia Joe]

In Seattle, sure. In the Global South, No. 

[phkrause]

From what I've noticed more Adventists are wearing jewelry now than years ago!! I don't mean decked out per say, just more wearing wedding bands and earrings!!

[Gustave]

On 9/20/2025 at 6:09 PM, phkrause said:

From what I've noticed more Adventists are wearing jewelry now than years ago!! I don't mean decked out per say, just more wearing wedding bands and earrings!!

It could be because of cultural changes - I work with many lesbian women and one thing I noticed about them is that they don't wear jewelry and most don't wear wedding rings even IF they are under a gay marriage contract. They also don't wear makeup. If SDA's generally didn't have earrings, rings etc. but now do it's likely because culturally that is now associated with Dyk'ism and the majority of people don't want other people to think they are homosexual - it would be more difficult for a girl to attract a boyfriend if looking like a homosexual woman would lessen the chances of a guy asking them out for a date because the guy doesn't think they would have a chance. 

[Asia Joe]

Quote

Even so, at SAU, the power of the dress code comes from individual professors. On the same day, my stud earrings were complimented by one professor, and disciplined by another. Despite taking notes in the front row, I was marked absent from one class for violating the dress code by wearing my mom’s silver bracelet.

If you tried this in Africa, South America or Asia, in an Adventist institution, you would be bounced out of the school.  That's where 85% of the Adventists live. 

Now it may be very true, that in NAD Jewelry is becoming more popular, but not in the church as a whole.