Jasper, lapis, faience and gold—the materials most prized by the ancient Egyptians for jewelry —have been stunningly combined to create a modern necklace in an  More »

Jasper, lapis, faience and gold—the materials most prized by the ancient Egyptians for jewelry —have been stunningly combined to create a modern necklace in an antique mood. The woman who wears it places an extra, unseen jewel around her neck—the gleam of history.Origin: Egypt Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Medium: Lapis Lazuli/Jasper   « Less

Named after the lemon for its rich yellow to orange/brown coloring, citrine is a member of the quartz family. It was frequently used in Hellenistic and Roman times for rings,  More »

Named after the lemon for its rich yellow to orange/brown coloring, citrine is a member of the quartz family. It was frequently used in Hellenistic and Roman times for rings, intaglios and other jewelry. Though its primary source in Antiquity, as now, was Ceylon, deposits are also known in Spain and the Ural Mountains. Metaphysical science values citrine for its transformation of energy, which is thought to raise low vibrations to a higher level, makes it useful for healing and meditation. Citrine is also considered as a lucky talisman to bring success in all business ventures. In addition to its curative and soothing properties, its warm, glowing color brings pleasure to the senses.Medium: Citrine   « Less

Three strands of emerald beads with a clasp of 14 karat gold.Emeralds have been esteemed since ancient times. In Upper Egypt a mine was in operation as early as 1650 B.C.,  More »

Three strands of emerald beads with a clasp of 14 karat gold.Emeralds have been esteemed since ancient times. In Upper Egypt a mine was in operation as early as 1650 B.C., with Greeks working the mines at the time of Alexander the Great; the same ones to yield magnificent emeralds for Cleopatra. The ancients wore gems not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for the curative properties the stones were believed to possess. Because of its brilliant green color, emeralds were thought to be good for eyesight, to drive off evil spirits, assist women in childbirth and help maintain the chastity of the wearer. With its simple elegance this beautiful triple strand of emerald beads recalls the jewelry worn by noble women of the ancient world, who adorned themselves for protection, good fortune and above all for the sake of beauty.Origin: Colombia Collection: Emerald Beaded Necklace Medium: Emerald/Gold   « Less

Necklace composed of antique coral beads guaranteed to be over 100 years old and old turquoise beads. The love of ornament is as old as civilization itself. By wearing  More »

Necklace composed of antique coral beads guaranteed to be over 100 years old and old turquoise beads. The love of ornament is as old as civilization itself. By wearing jewelry that is unusual or unique, we define ourselves as individuals and set ourselves apart from the crowd. Throughout antiquity, in every great culture, beads were formed from colored gems, glass, ceramic, shell, bone and metal in an endless variety of shapes and sizes. Sometimes they were worn for their magical or curative powers, at other times simply for their beauty. They were worn by people, highborn and low, the citizen of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Judea, Greece, Rome and Byzantium. Frequently these jewels, so prized in life, were buried with their owners to adorn them through eternity. When we wear them today, we add another chapter to their long and fascinating history. Circa: 100 BC Medium: Coral-Turquoise   « Less

Necklace composed of antique coral and gold granulated beads guaranteed to be over 100 years old. For centuries, coral-- like pearl, a gift of the sea-- was classed among the  More »

Necklace composed of antique coral and gold granulated beads guaranteed to be over 100 years old. For centuries, coral-- like pearl, a gift of the sea-- was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance, composed of the skeletons of millions of tiny marine animals. In its natural state, coral is plantlike in appearance and grows in warm water at depths of up to ninety feet. It must be harvested live to retain its color. Though white coral is quite common, and forms the great reefs of the world, the rarer hues of red, orange, pink and black are much sought after as jewelry and amulets. Pink coral is particularly flattering to the complexion of the wearer and is called "angel skin". According to ancient sources, Assyrian glassmakers creating opaque colored glass in imitation of precious gems, were trying -to form red glass to resemble coral, rather than ruby. Examples of coral set in precious metals are known from the Biblical, Egyptian and Classical cultures, and its popularity has continued unbroken through the ages. The native jewelry of the Arabian peninsula makes excellent use of bright corals combined with silver. The therapeutic effects of coral have long been understood: it is used as a heart stimulant, an antidote for fevers and toxins in the system, a cure for colic and vomiting and a prevention for childhood diseases. In addition, it is believed to avert sterility. As with the pearl, coral's mysterious strength seems to derive from its organic source material, the accumulated energy of living things. Circa: 100 AD to 1900 AD Medium: Coral-Gold   « Less

This unusual necklace brings together amber and faience, two of the ornaments most prized by the ancients. Faience, a glass composite glaze, was introduced in Egypt as early  More »

This unusual necklace brings together amber and faience, two of the ornaments most prized by the ancients. Faience, a glass composite glaze, was introduced in Egypt as early as the Pre-Dynastic period. Beads of various sizes and shapes were formed from clay, coated with faience paste and then fired to bright colors. The majority of beads were in shades of blue or green, but red, yellow and black were also popular. In the art of Egypt’s Golden Age, beautiful women are shown adorned with strand after strand of faience beads. Very often, such jewelry was buried in tombs to bring pleasure through eternity. In this lovely necklace, the beads certainly fulfill their promise. Amber, the fossilized resin of extinct trees, is one of the oldest gems known to mankind. Its use as an amulet or for jewelry stretches back to the Stone Age. It was traded throughout the ancient world along routes that led from the north to the palaces of Crete, Egypt and Babylon. Homer mentions amber in the Odyssey. In color, amber varies in hue from pale yellow, to honey brown, to deep orange, to red. Combined here with Egyptian Faience, Amber helps create a Jewel that the Queen of Sheba, Nefertite or Helen of Troy might have worn with pride.Origin: Egypt Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Jewlery Style: Beaded Necklaces Medium: Faience and Amber   « Less

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb  More »

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb vessels and jewelry which were valued throughout the known world. It was also during this period that Venice became the most powerful trading nation in Europe, a city whose ships visited every port both east and west. Venetian traders used glass beads for barter, and these jewels became especially prized in Africa, where they were traded for gold, ivory, rare woods and spices. Venetian beads quickly became a medium of exchange throughout Africa, and in some tribes were used as a bridal dowry. The rare and subtle beauty of these beads continues to dazzle the senses even after the passage of centuries. Origin: Africa Circa: 1600 BC to 1800 BC Collection: African Medium: Glass   « Less

For thousands of years, men and women have ornamented themselves with jewels and amulets made from jasper and glass. The early Egyptians first brought these jewels into  More »

For thousands of years, men and women have ornamented themselves with jewels and amulets made from jasper and glass. The early Egyptians first brought these jewels into favor, and they have remained popular ever since. Red jasper is believed to help circulate the blood, to calm anger, and to bring courage to the wearer. Glass is prized for its brilliant colors and its flexibility of form. These glass beads, created by the artisans of Venice, were first used as a medium of exchange in Africa. So popular and sought after were Venetian trade beads that they became the standard of wealth in areas of Africa, used as part of the bridal dowry. Combined together, red jasper and antique glass create a necklace of dramatic beauty, rare as a jungle flower. Whoever wears this piece will be updating an ancient tradition in a completely contemporary way. Circa: 1600 BC to 1800 BC Medium: Glass-Lapiz Lazuli   « Less

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb  More »

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb vessels and jewelry which were valued throughout the known world. It was also during this period that Venice became the most powerful trading nation in Europe, a city whose ships visited every port both east and west. Venetian traders used glass beads for barter, and these jewels became especially prized in Africa, where they were traded for gold, ivory, rare woods and spices. Venetian beads quickly became a medium of exchange throughout Africa, and in some tribes were used as a bridal dowry. The rare and subtle beauty of these beads continues to dazzle the senses even after the passage of centuries. Of vivid green often banded with black, malachite is a hydrous copper carbonate first mined by the ancients in the 4th millennium B.C. The famous mines of King Solomon in the Wadi Arabah were an important source of malachite, which was used for jewelry and talismans as well as for cosmetics for the eye when powdered. The gem has been valued as a talisman for centuries, and is especially thought to protect the very young and to cure eye ailments of many sorts. Because of its high copper content, malachite helps relieve problems caused by a deficiency of this mineral. Its rich green color makes it as appealing to the modern eye as it was to the ancient one. Origin: Africa Circa: 1600 BC to 1800 BC Collection: African Medium: Glass-Malachite   « Less

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb  More »

During the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Venetian artisans rediscovered the ancient secrets of glass making. On the island of Murano, they created superb vessels and jewelry which were valued throughout the known world. It was also during this period that Venice became the most powerful trading nation in Europe, a city whose ships visited every port both east and west. Venetian traders used glass beads for barter, and these jewels became especially prized in Africa, where they were traded for gold, ivory, rare woods and spices. Venetian beads quickly became a medium of exchange throughout Africa, and in some tribes were used as a bridal dowry. The rare and subtle beauty of these beads continues to dazzle the senses even after the passage of centuries. A variety of quartz, agate comes in a wide spectrum of colors ranging from red, to blue, to green, brown and white. Examples of agate jewelry from Egyptian and Near Eastern sites date back over four millennia. In amuletic form, agate is believed to cure a wide number of ailments, including fevers, schizophrenia, poison and eye problems. Its specific powers vary according to its color. All varieties of agate are useful for curing insomnia and inducing pleasant dreams. The universally positive effect of agate is enhanced by its rare beauty. Origin: Africa Circa: 1600 BC to 1800 BC Collection: African Medium: Glass-Agate   « Less