Tree of Life Handmade Necklace & Earrings Set

- Yggdrasil Symbol with Labradorite, Sterling Silver, More -

This unique necklace and earrings jewelry set features a tree of life artisan pendant, labradorite gemstones, honey-colored jasper, rainforest jasper, freshwater pearls, and sterling silver components. The pendant is a large polymer clay disk with a silver background (1.25 inches around). Its front side shows the image of a stately tree whose green branches and golden brown roots richly fill out the surface. This image can be interpreted as the tree of life or, more specifically, as Yggdrasil, which is the name of life's sacred tree in Old Norse mythology. In either case, the pendant is a lovely and meaningful focal.

The labradorite beads reflect the pendant's silvery background. This is one of my favorite gemstones, with associations to the aurora borealis. These are semi-transparent round beads with various degrees of "flash"—iridescent shine—depending on the angle of light upon them. They were handcut and so have slight rustic variations that give them more character. All the beads have small dark speckling and present as a grey-colored stone. I particularly wanted to use this gemstone because it has an ancient, mythological quality which matches the tree of life symbol.

The honey-colored jasper beads serve as eye-catching accents of the warmer shades in the tree of life's trunk and roots. The color shade varies in these beads, making them especially interesting. The rainforest jasper, with its various shades of green and touches of orange-brown, adds a richness to the whole necklace while also complementing the tree of life's foliage. Bringing light-catching shine to back of the necklace are the freshwater pearls, whose hue is a warm off-white tan. The matching earrings are classic drops, with a two-bead design of rainforest jasper and freshwater pearl. Sterling rounds beads and earring hooks complete the pair, whose length is 1.125 inches.

 
This necklace and earrings set also includes high-quality 49-strand beading wire and sterling silver components such as round and rondelle beads, petalled bead caps, jump rings, earring hooks and wire, Bali-style clasp, heavy crimps, crimp covers, and wire guards. In short, all the metal in this set is sterling silver, with all the silver components but the clasp made in the USA or Italy. The clasp was made in Bali, Indonesia. The bail (ring) used for the pendant was handmade by me and carefully hammered for strength and durability. The necklace length is approximately 22.5 inches, including the clasp.

This stylish and meaningful tree of life necklace and earrings set was handmade by me with care, thought, and very best wishes for its destined wearer. It comes boxed and wrapped up nicely for gifting to a special nature-lover or anyone who finds meaning in the tree of life symbol—perhaps yourself!

ABOUT LABRADORITE
A type of feldspar, labradorite first became known to Europeans in the 18th century via Moravian missionaries who were working among the Inuit in Labrador, Canada. The missionaries named it after the region. Today the stone is found in various places around the world, but the connection to Labrador remains.

There are various native legends about this gemstone. In some, the stone originated in the aurora borealis; in others, the aurora borealis was imprisoned in the stones off the Labrador coast and a mighty ancestor set free most (but not all) of the aurora's light. A variation of the latter has the stars, rather than the aurora, trapped in the stones. Supposedly meteorites often have some labradorite in them.

Labradorite is considered a stone of strength and perserverance in times of adversity, conflict, and upheaval. Traditionally, it's a good luck stone and a gemstone of inspiration, and reputedly strengthens intuition and the ability to perceive the proper timing of things. In addition, it is believed to protect one's aura.

ABOUT JASPER 

Traditionally, jasper is seen as an earthy, nurturing stone with talismanic properties. Stability, tranquility, and healing are all commonly associated with jasper. It is composed mainly of chalcedony and quartz.

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Fossil Shell Turritella Agate Earrings

- Tridacna Beads, Spiral Accent, Boho Chic Jewelry -

These unique fossil shell earrings feature turritella agate beads, tridacna white rounds, rhodium-on-pewter hoops, and sterling silver earring hooks. The turritella beads are agatized snail-shell fossils cut in the form of puffed ovals. Their mineralized remains represent creatures that lived over 40 million years ago, and each bead has its own individual pattern of shapes. The two focals of these earrings are therefore not identical, but they are perfect complements for each other.

To enhance these wonderful focals, I selected another treasure from the sea: tridacna shell beads. Processed from the shells of giant clams, tridacna is supposedly the whitest substance in the world and makes a nice match with the fossil beads, bringing out their lighter patterns. The hammered rhodium-on-pewter (by Tierracast, made in USA), suggest circlets of moving water, and I chose them to deepen the conceptual aspect and design of the earrings.

This earthy elegant pair measures 2.25 inches in length and also includes:
• Sterling silver rondelle spacer beads (made in Italy)
• Silver-plated pins with my handcrafted spirals
• Sterling silver jump rings in two sizes
• Sterling silver earring wires with bead accents

A unique and thought-provoking example of wearable history, these turritella fossil and tridacna earrings would make a fantastic gift for anyone who loves paleontology and geology or who simply finds fossils and the primeval world interesting and meaningful. They were designed and handmade beaded by me with great care, thought, and best wishes for their destined wearer. They come on a PrettyGonzo earrings card and gift-wrapped in a nice organza bag, all set for giving to someone special—perhaps yourself!

ABOUT TURRITELLA AGATE
This agate is a brown stone embedded with the white to tan fossilized shells of snails that lived over 40 million years ago. The name of this type of agate is a misnomer: Turritella was an ancient marine snail, but the fossils here are mineralized freshwater snails. A type of chalcedony, and thus a member of the quartz family, turritella agate is traditionally considered a stone of healing and wisdom. Some people see it as a talisman—a protective stone—and source of strength. Probably because it holds the vestiges of ancient life, Turritella also is considered a stone of survival. Today, most agate of this kind is mined in Wyoming.

ABOUT TRIDACNA BEADS
These beads are made from the shell of a giant marine clam in the tridacna family of mollusks. Tridacna is considered the whitest substance on Earth and is very strong. Beads of this type of shell were popular in the ancient kingdoms of China. They are sometimes used in Tibetan Buddhist mala beads. Some people believe that tridacna confers a calming effect on its wearer, helping to balance out instability between the mind and body.

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Eiffel Tower "La Vie en Rose" Paris Earrings

- Rose Charms & Swarovski Rose Pink Crystals -

Any Paris lover will find these Eiffel Tower earrings a fun and pretty pair of boho chic dangles. Their design was inspired by the song "La Vie en Rose," made famous by Edith Piaf, a vocalist known during her lifetime as France's national chanteuse. To bring the song to mind, I used lovely rose charms and Swarovski rose pink bicone crystals. The focals of the earrings present an image of the Eiffel Tower superimposed over a miniature postcard decorated with Victorian-style roses.

These are artisan-made focals and were created from design paper and artboard and then finished with a sealer. The picture appears only on the front. The focals are lightweight, with a thickness of just under 2mm. Be aware that they are not suitable for water activites or the shower, and that bending them will leave a crease in them. When cared for properly, they will continue to provide you with a beautifully unique, one-of-a-kind pair of earrings.

The rose charms are made from silver-tone metal and are finely detailed on both the front and back. They hang from silver-filled jump rings under the focals, which in turn hang from dangles with large Swarovski crystals. Shiny sterling silver rondelles flank each crystal. Also included are sterling silver earring hooks, which I decorated with small Swarovski rose crystals to add an extra touch of boho elegance. The length here is 2.5 inches, including the ear hooks.

Uniquely cheerful, fun, and meaningful to anyone who loves "The City of Light," these earrings are sure to please with their inspirational remembrance of Paris and its most popular monument, the Eiffel Tower. Handmade beaded by me with great care, thought, and best wishes for their destined wearer, they come on a PrettyGonzo card and wrapped in a sweet organiza bag, all set for gifting to someone special—perhaps yourself!

ABOUT "LA VIE EN ROSE"
Written in 1945, this song was first made popular by Edith Piaf, who composed the lyrics. (Louiguy is credited with the music.) A simple song, it expresses how falling in love makes the world seem like a beautiful place, as if you are seeing everything through rose-colored glasses.

Although the song was regarded as a minor piece by Piaf's peers, it became a concert staple for Piaf after WWII. Soon her recordings of it were selling well in other countries, including the United States, where over the million copies were sold. Many singing stars in the United States recorded an English lyrics version of the song, including Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Donna Summer. However, "La Vie en Rose" remains the signature song of Edith Piaf.   

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Celtic Knot Triquestra Boho Dangle Earrings

- Amethyst, Carnelian, Rainforest Jasper Gemstones -

These earthy Celtic knot gemstone earrings are inspired by the Irish countryside and perfect for gift giving to anyone who loves Ireland. Their boho chic styling gives them a nice versatility for dressy or casual wear. The main feature of these handmade dangles are two oval rainforest jasper beads, one on each earring. This gemstone has variations in color shading as well as inclusions of quartz and other minerals; thus each bead is a one-of-a-kind creation of Mother Nature. These two beads complement each other well and are interesting in their patterning.

Under the jasper ovals dangle the Celtic knot charms, small but shiny and beautifully detailed with a triple loop eternal knot, also known as a triquestra or Celtic triad. Above the ovals are faceted amethyst and faceted carnelian beauties. Also included in these earrings are sterling silver round beads and beadcaps and sterling silver earring hooks with clear ear guards.

The length here is just under 2.25 inches, including the earring hooks.

Unique and eye-catching, these eternal knot gemstone earrings were designed and handmade beaded by me with care, thought, and best wishes for their destined wearer. They come on a PrettyGonzo earring card and in a lovely organza bag, wrapped and ready for gifting!

ABOUT THE CELTIC TRIAD SYMBOL
The Celtic triad symbol, aka the triquestra, is frequently found in Irish Christian art, including the Book of Kells, where it symbolizes the Holy Trinity. In this way, it is similar to the shamrock, which Saint Patrick employed in his teachings on the Trinity. The triad is typically incorporated in the building of other images, such as the Cross. As an ancient pagan symbol, it has possible connections to the Celtic Brigid, a triple-aspect goddess that some believe is an earlier, pre-Christian precursor of Saint Brigid. It may also represent the Maiden, Mother, and Crone aspect of the Goddess in neo-Paganism. Generally, it's a symbol of "threeness" - from love, hope and charity to childhood, adulthood, and old age. In any form, it has an illustrious history and is quite meaningful.

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