personal jewelry

Duality is represented in this pair of striking sterling silver drop earrings with a side beautifully adorned with a blue topaz gemstone and a hammered finish and another side embellished with carvings in Celtic knot style. This exquisite creation by artisan Nyoman Ariawan is an example of the originality and artistry of the Balinese silver craftsmen.

Friendship rings are a great and fashionable way to express what that special person means in your life. You can do just that with this set of two friendship stretch rings hand-crafted with Czech glass beads by Guatemalan artisan Mirian Zet and representing the colours of the LGBTQ+ community's iconic rainbow flag.

Fascinated by the beautiful islands of Indonesia, Efrain Espinoza handcrafts a trendy bracelet from apatite, peridot and jasper. "These gemstones represent the green and blue tonalities of Bali's forests, ocean and infinite skies," he confides. "This design represents a free person, without ties, who always seeks balance in his energies and who enjoys his connection with nature." The Costa Rican artisan finishes the design with reconstituted turquoise stones and a small stainless steel bead.

"For me, Milan is the capital of luxury and European fashion. I represent this concept with the simple lines of marble, hematite and black agate in a uniform sequence of whites, greys and black," Efrain Espinoza muses. "This design is for the person who has been able to shine due to his own effort, and who knows how to enjoy his achievements." The Costa Rican artisan finishes the bracelet with a single stainless steel bead.

For the World Peace Project, the Women Artisans of Santa Cruz created a stylish yet deeply symbolic bracelet, featuring three strands of serene aqua beads, which represent tiny crystalline globes. The beads are specifically strung to create a powerful message in Morse Code, spelling out "peace, love and hope," as three pillars of world peace, and the path to achieve it. "We designed this bracelet to inspire these three feelings as a constant reminder for the person who wears it," the Guatemalan artisans say.

Rituu honors Hinduism and Buddhism with a glistening jap mala that is crafted by hand with smoky quartz, nature's stone of endurance. Also known as prayer beads or rosary, it consists of 108 malas or beads, sometimes 109, which are flicked with the thumb during jap or meditation. That way the person may concentrate fully on repeating mantras. In Buddhism, the 108 beads represent the human passions, while in Hinduism their symbolism is more complex. The number may refer to the names of Vishnu and Shiva in the Mahabharat; the 108 Upanishads; the number of deities of knowledge and various sciences; and the various permutations of the soul's defects, among others.

According to Hindu custom, the correct way to hold the jap mala is with the right hand, draped over the middle finger and using the thumb to flick through the beads. Since it is believed the index finger represents ego, the greatest impediment to self-realization, it is best avoided when chanting on a mala.

Rituu honours Hinduism and Buddhism with a glistening jap mala that is crafted by hand with aventurine, the stone of chance or luck. Also known as prayer beads or rosary, it consists of 108 malas or beads, sometimes 109, which are flicked with the thumb during jap or meditation. That way the person may concentrate fully on repeating mantras. In Buddhism, the 108 beads represent the human passions, while in Hinduism their symbolism is more complex. The number may refer to the names of Vishnu and Shiva in the Mahabharat; the 108 Upanishads; the number of deities of knowledge and various sciences; and the various permutations of the soul's defects, amongst others.

According to Hindu custom, the correct way to hold the jap mala is with the right hand, draped over the middle finger and using the thumb to flick through the beads. Since it is believed the index finger represents ego, the greatest impediment to self-realization, it is best avoided when chanting on a mala.

This jap mala features 435 gemstone carats.