go to wear

Mexico's Guillermo Arregui designs a luminous choker of arresting beauty. It is cast of sterling silver and centered by a glowing amber gem. Crowned with an iridescent pearl and peridot, the pendant glistens with tumbaga, a gold and copper alloy developed since pre-Hispanic times.

.925 Sterling silver

When used in jewelry, amber beads can include a stunning arrangement of tones and hues. Natural amber ranges from yellow to deep orange. It may sometimes even have a green cast to it, as well as opaque swirls within. Because amber is the preserved resin of prehistoric trees that grew millions of years ago, it sometimes has tiny inclusions of plants and insects -- making it highly prized.

Subtle details tell the story of Bethlehem's miracle in this radiant piece from Mexico. Artisan Alejandra Gallardo uses 24k gold-plated brass to compose this beaded bracelet, whose star, fish, cross and heart charms guide you through the events of Jesus' birth. Crystals and cultured pearls complete the piece, adding a touch of gentle color, while a silk sliding knot allows practical wear.

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.