seed bead necklace

Voluptuous globes of agate nestle amid an exuberant pendant of tiny seed beads in a delightful handcrafted necklace. They form a scintillating cascade on a sterling silver pendant. By Ana Mirez, it is worn on a shiny chain necklace

It takes extremely talented hands to transform gemstones and beads into true works of jewelry art. Ana Mirez shows her skill with this dazzling necklace, creating an ornate chrysocolla sunburst pendant. The Mexican artist presents it on a strand of chrysocolla, black agate and colorful seed beads.

Images of Frida Kahlo come to life in tiny, colorful seed beads. Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts artisans craft this novel necklace, meticulously placing tiny seed beads one by one. Immortalized in film, Kahlo and her husband, muralist Diego Rivera, were leaders in Mexico's artistic and intellectual world during the first half of the 20th century.

Created by the talented hands of Wixarika Huichol artisan Tunurima Lopez, this striking Y necklace is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Intricately fashioned with delicate glass seed beads, it showcases floral motifs in shades of grey and red against a white backdrop, complemented by a graceful tassel. This long, stylish necklace effortlessly draws attention, injecting a lively vibrancy into any ensemble.

The talented Wixarika Huichol artisan Tunurima Lopez creates this spectacular waterfall necklace boasting four floral medallions on the sides and colorful strands cascading down the middle. Made completely by hand with vibrant glass seed beads, it is an eye-catching statement piece that injects energy into any look.

Finely crafted diamonds combine black and white. Superimposed upon one another, they form a mandala. Scintillating seed beads cascade from three corners in a beautiful and original necklace. Diamond-shaped talismans known as the "eyes of God" refer to the four cardinal points in Huichol belief and direct one to the correct path of life. Meticulously handcrafted by artisans of Mexico's Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Traditional Arts, this design showcases the pendant on a double strand of black and white beads.

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collaboration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honor of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.