personal jewelry

Ralph Ashong transforms personal observations into necklace of original elegance. "Life does not provide all the answers to all the questions we face. Persevere until you get answers to your questions," recommends the Ghanaian designer. Carved in teak wood, the sunny patterns are colored with a clay solution creating an admirable effect. The pendant centers an adjustable leather cord.

Sleek and beautiful, this contemporary pendant depicts a personage with hands held high in a sun salutation, the centerpiece of yoga practice. Made Wardika carves the image by hand as the pendant of a necklace crafted of leather cords in deep, dark brown.

The lotus blossom — Buddha's favorite offering — forms a halo behind the head of a person who sits in meditation. Made Wardika carves the beautiful image of bone, delicately tinted with tea. It is worn on a necklace of dark brown leather.

Robert Aidoo-Taylor designs this bracelet for men in navy blue in honour of Queen Amina of Hausaland. Born in 1533 in what is now known as Zaira, Nigeria, Amina was also a fierce warrior who ruled over 34 years. However, there are some who believe she was a legend and not an actual person. It is said that once when she was imprisoned she had been blindfolded and chained, sentenced to death by poison. Her executioner was given the poison in a cone-shaped bottle and was threatened with death should he spill any of it. He had to untie and remove the folds on Amina's eyes, but couldn't do so while holding the vile. When Amina was able to see how he was struggling, she told him to remove one of her bracelets and use it as a stand for the cone-shaped bottle. Upon realizing she had just saved his life, the executioner decided to help her escape rather than poison her.

Robert Aidoo-Taylor designs this bracelet for men in gold and black in honor of Queen Amina of Hausaland. Born in 1533 in what is now known as Zaira, Nigeria, Amina was also a fierce warrior who ruled over 34 years. However, there are some who believe she was a legend and not an actual person. It is said that once when she was imprisoned she had been blindfolded and chained, sentenced to death by poison. Her executioner was given the poison in a cone-shaped bottle and was threatened with death should he spill any of it. He had to untie and remove the folds on Amina's eyes, but couldn't do so while holding the vile. When Amina was able to see how he was struggling, she told him to remove one of her bracelets and use it as a stand for the cone-shaped bottle. Upon realizing she had just saved his life, the executioner decided to help her escape rather than poison her.