Playa de la Barrilla Necklace (#031)

...may the spirit of the white buffalo enlighten us all to take better care...

Chunky & grounding, this earthy choker brings hope of new beginnings, & the layers of white-ish Howlite against the dark Onyx are symbolic of the love that binds humans together forever...

• Howlite.
  
• Onyx.
• Red Coral.
• Wood.
• Sterling Silver clasp.
• One-of-a-kind.
• Designed & handmade in California.
• Inspired by a beach in the Canary Islands, encircled by black volcanic basalts & sea caves. 

Howlite Considered by Native Americans to be the "White Buffalo Stone" with its porcelain white color and grey-ish veins, Howlite came to symbolize peace & purity. In Native American cultures, the rare white buffalo with a black nose, eyes, & hooves, a genetic anomaly, signifies spiritual connection & blessings. To the Lakota tribes, the calf's birth portends better times ahead. Lakota legend says about 2,000 years ago — when nothing was good, food was running out & bison were disappearing — White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared, presented a bowl pipe and a bundle to a tribal member, taught them how to pray, & said that the pipe could be used to bring buffalo to the area for food. As she left, she turned into a white buffalo calf. Most recently, a white buffalo calf was born on June 4, 2023, in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley in Wyoming. The birth of the calf came after a particularly harsh winter when thousands of buffalo retreated to lower altitudes, much to their detriment. Chief Arval Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, & Nakota Oyate tribes, said that the arrival of the blessed white buffalo calf means we must do more to protect the Earth & its animals. Looking Horse explained that the baby white buffalo's birth is similar in meaning to the Christians' second coming of Jesus Christ. Many believe Howlite contains calming properties, assisting with anger management, promoting patience, & encouraging emotional stability. Some use Howlite for meditation & relaxation, believing it can help quiet the mind & promote deep sleep. Associated with both the Root & Crown Chakras, or 1st & 7th Chakras, Howlite is thought to expand our spiritual awareness while amplifying our feelings of safety & security. 

Onyx Another stone valued for its beauty & magical properties since ancient times, Onyx has been used in jewelry, sculpture, & art. In Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, & Persia, Onyx was used to make amulets, jewels, bowls, pottery, & sculpture to represent strength, protection, & positive energy. In India, Onyx was used as a protective shield against evil, & in the Bible, Onyx was one of the stones mounted into the ephod, a priestly vestment. The contrast between the black & white layers of Onyx is said to symbolize the love between two people, which might explain why there is believed to be a connection between Onyx & Venus, the Ancient Roman goddess of love. Onyx is associated with the Leo & Capricorn zodiac signs, believed to provide them with steadfast confidence & wise decision-making.

Red Coral Greek mythology explores the origin of Red Coral in the tale of Perseus. Perseus temporarily placed Medusa's head on a riverbank, where he witnessed her blood turn the seaweed into Red Coral. As a result, the Greek word for coral is 'Gorgeia,' since Medusa was one of the three Gorgons. The Romans hung pieces of coral around the necks of their children to shield them from illness & danger. Worn by a woman, coral was a charm against sterility. Red Coral signifies passion & courage, & it is linked to Mars, the planet believed to rule both the Aries & Scorpio zodiac signs.

Wood An undeniable part of the history of jewelry, wood was used by ancient civilizations the world over, from Ancient Egypt to Ancient Greece to Ancient China, in addition to indigenous tribes across many continents. Depending upon the group, different species of wood were thought to offer different benefits, such as protection from negative energy, healing properties, or the ability to increase strength. Cedar was often used for its perceived protective qualities, while sandalwood was valued for its calming & meditative properties. In Ancient Egypt, wooden amulets were worn as protective talismans for both the living & the dead. In Africa, intricate wood carvings made into pendants tell oral traditions, & later on we see how wood was used in Medieval Europe to design rosaries, rings, & pendants, often decorated with religious symbols. It is here we can clearly see that the lightweight, versatile nature of wood created an accessibility for people from all backgrounds & social classes. Perhaps wood is the most inclusive material out of which to fashion jewelry.