Showing posts with label Afghani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghani. Show all posts

Monday, October 31, 2011

Badria: OOAK Elegant Afghani Tribal Necklace

Introducing...


Badria
"Moon-like"


"Badria is an Afghan name that means "moon-like," and the enchanting light and dark qualities of this necklace are evocative of the moon.

The first focal point of this one-of-a-kind necklace is the elegant Afghan artisan-crafted black onyx pendant.  The pendant was made in a traditional way by melting down coins and doing all filigree and inlay work by hand.  The pendant, including the dangles, measures 2 1/2" by 2 3/4."    Framing the pendant are twelve faceted sterling silver beads resting between faceted black onyx beads.

 
Next, the eye is drawn to two more Afghan metal beads with intricate open filigree work are framed by two shiny pyrite beads.  Because of their handmade nature, each bead is different, yet full of human-touched warmth and character.
 
Finally, on each side of the necklace near its end are two ruttilated quartz beads framed by pyrite and Karen Hill Tribe hand woven silver beads, which are at least 97% pure silver.  Near the necklace's simple, yet elegant, Bali sterling silver clasp are two more pyrite beads resting between faceted black onyx that add unity and elegance to the design.  Badria measures 22" long and the bust in in the second picture is life-size.
 
About the stones:
Onyx allows us to let go, relax, and flow with the natural energies.  It also helps relieve stress, balance our emotions and gives us the strength to persevere.  It is associated with the crown and heart chakras and with the astrological signs Cancer and Aquarius.

Rutile intensifies the properties of its host stone, so rutilated quartz enhances quartz's properties of bringing focus, clarity, and stimulating positive thoughts.  It is associated with the heart and third eye chakras and the astrological signs Leo and Capricorn.
Pyrite is grounding, encourages positivity and the release of old emotional baggage. It is also a protective and enhances one's creativity, intelligence, memory, and psychic development.  It is associated with the crown, third eye, and solar plexus chakras and the astrological signs Gemini and Virgo.

Silver draws out negative energy and encourages non-judgement and self-approval  (source: www.thatcrystalsite.com).




Friday, October 28, 2011

Mavi: OOAK Turkoman Tribal Necklace

Introducing...

MAVI
a one-of-a-kind statement necklace 
  

On a life-size bust

Mavi is the Turkish word for the color blue, and the lapis lazuli in this necklace is a deep blue with a hint of shimmer from flecks of naturally occurring pyrite.  Lapis is known for its  protective, stress relieving, and peace enhancing qualities.  It also encourages self-awareness, self-expression, and enhances one's sense of confidence.  The lapis is enough to turn heads, but all together with its large Turkoman artisan crafted focal pendant and accent beads, this one-of-a-kind necklace is a truly a statement piece. 


The Turkoman tribal peoples live in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.  They make beautiful beads and pendants with semiprecious stone inlay using traditional practices by melting down old coins and hand designing each bead .  And because of their handmade nature, each bead is different, yet full of human-touched warmth and character. 
 
 
  
The focal piece of "Mavi" is a large 1 1/2" by 1 5/16" Turkoman artisan crafted goldwashed pendant.  A starry blue goldstone tube rests between the pendant's bails.  Although new construction, the pendant is crafted in an old, Afghani style.  
The jade is multicolored with shades of red, green, and golden hues.



Two smaller Turkoman artisan-crafted Afghani style beads with deep blue lapis lazuli inlay (slightly under an inch in size) are framed between two hand carved jade beads.




Jade helps one connect to her inner self.  It brings joy, protection, peace, healing, and balance.  Pyrite is grounding, encourages positivity and the release of old emotional baggage.  It is also a protective and enhances one's "intelligence, mental stability, logic, analysis, creativity, memory, and psychic development."

Near the ends of the necklace are two more Turkoman artisan-crafted Afghani style tribal beads with floral detail.   
 
This necklace closes with a simple, yet elegant Bali sterling silver clasp.  I've designed the open part of the clasp hook to face upward, as I think this position is more secure while still being pleasing to the eye. 

 

In low light with no flash.  You can also see the blue goldstone tube that supports the pendant.