ancient maya

In the past, the ancient Maya regarded the gem known as ya'ax chich (jade) a sacred symbol of life, fertility and power which they reserved for the aristocracy. In present day Guatemala, Zandra Lorena Sajbin shares the unique beauty of light green jade in handcrafted sterling silver earrings.

.925 Sterling silver

In the past, the ancient Maya regarded the gem known as ya'ax chich (jade) as a sacred symbol of life, fertility and power which they reserved for the aristocracy. In present day Guatemala, Zandra Lorena Sajbin shares the unique beauty of black jade in handcrafted sterling silver earrings.

.925 Sterling silver

An ancient Maya legend tells how the gods gave a specific mission to each being they created. But they realized none had been chosen to carry thoughts and desires from one place to another," says Rosa Padillas of Rosa Roja. "So they carved a small piece of jade into a a slender arrowhead, and it became a beautiful hummingbird with iridescent feathers — the x ts'unu'um. Its mission was to carry good thoughts to all human beings, even those who had died.

"Today, if a hummingbird appears in front of you, it is delivering a message of love from someone who is thinking of you. And if we wear the image of a hummingbird, we carry good thoughts and desires to others.

"The hummingbird legend says that we can fly to the six cardinal points of the universe, therefore the hummingbird is the ideal link to transmit thoughts of love, of respect, tolerance and peace to all creatures on the planet."

The talented Mexican artisan reinterprets the legend as a necklace of dramatic beauty. She creates a hummingbird pendant in the pre-Hispanic style, and adds an agate geode representing the hummingbird's nest. It poses on a strand of gray cultured pearls.

Celebrating the beauty of Mayan jewelry, Guatemalan artisan Zandra Lorena Sajbin designs this pair of dangle earrings. Crafted of sterling silver, each earring features a round stone of darkest green jade, known as ya'ax chich to the ancient Mayans.