personal jewelry

Balinese artisan Made Sri articulates her deft metallurgy skills in crafting this adjustable bracelet that centers on the Sanskrit symbol, Om. Its Cuban link chain of polished sterling silver shines brightly as a confident accomplice to Om, which signifies personal understanding and universal truth. There are few better symbols to adorn your wrist keep you centered.

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.

Sterling silver outlines a person seated in meditation in this necklace by Abhishek Singla. Aligning down the center, gemstones represent the seven chakras. The word means "wheel," and it refers to the points of spiritual or physical energy in the human body. Violet amethyst appears at the crown, indigo iolite represents the brow, blue topaz, the throat and green peridot, the heart. Representing the solar plexus, yellow follows, then red-orange carnelian for the sacral chakra and garnet for the root.

Luminous Om centers a colorful chakra wheel studded with shimmering gemstones in the design of this necklace from Alok Jain. Crafted of sterling silver, the necklace features gemstones totaling 6.3 carats, and each one is related to a specific chakra by virtue of its color. Amethyst corresponds to the crown chakra, clear quartz to the brow, iolite to the throat and peridot to the heart. Citrine is associated with the solar plexus, carnelian to the sacral and garnet to the root chakra.

In Sanskrit, chakra refers to an energy vortex through which vital universal forces are channeled, and there are believed to be seven in the human body. When all seven are aligned, the person feels a healthy sense of well-being.

.925 Sterling silver.

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.