fine jewelry

When the Om sound resonates, the universe aligns to let sacred energies enter your life. Michael Krainer of Thailand opens a portal to keep you connected with the universe by creating this sterling silver necklace, whose pendant displays the Om sign in a radiant high polish finish. The symbol is decorated with a reconstituted turquoise backdrop and a faceted white topaz—a symbol of purity.

Racing through the forest, Rama's royal chariot is a splendid sight. Nantana Sompamitre depicts a scene inspired by the Ramakian, the Thai version of the epic Ramayana when Rama rides to the battle in which he defeats the wicked Ravana. Depicted in golden foil on finely lacquered lacquered mango wood, it graces a petite jewelry box lined in velvet.

This regal pair of Ganesha figurines cloaked in gold are the creation of India's Chander Kant. The artisan hand carves the pair from kadam wood, then paints them in black and brown. Ganesha's clothes, ears, and jewels are painted in 22k gold leaf and feature fine details in green and red.

Wearing majestic jewelry and a large red bindi, Queen Satyavati is truly regal in this colorful portrait. She is described in the Hindu epic Mahabharata and was brought up as a commoner who was adopted by a fisherman. "I have always found great pleasure in listening to the Mahabharata stories," artist Sonu Chopra confides. "The name Satyavati suggests 'Smelling of Truth,' and she was blessed with a heavenly fragrance that did not belong to this world. Satyavati charmed King Shantanu, one of the great kings of Bharata, and married him."

Seated on a tiger, Shiva lifts a hand in blessing. Regarded as the celestial overlord of deliverance through destruction, Shiva has his customary trident by his side as a show of divinity. The hissing cobra that slithers around his head symbolizes his potent divine destructivity, and his matted hair is thought to contain the flow of the Ganges River. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is both the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. Unaffected by the whims of the world, he is innocent and guileless, pure of mind and heart. He does not adorn his body with jewels or flowers — he mats his hair and dresses in animal hide.

Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa is a master of the batik technique, sketching the figures by hand and applying the wax resist freehand, which requires great skill. A different dye bath is required for each separate color in his elegant and complex batik "painting."

Colorful beads of natural tourmaline circle the neck for a beautiful necklace from Thailand. Matta designs the necklace, centered by an om pendant handcrafted of Karen hill tribe silver. The necklace closes with a sterling silver clasp.

Stately Lord Ganesha sits surrounded by hand-painted fiery colors in this gorgeous Indian necklace. Neha Gopinath Pillai first creates the ornate pendant from double-fired terracotta clay, then paints the finer details. Interchanging red and gold beads frame the pendant.