Playa Chiquita Bracelet (#011)

...you are limitless, free your mind with your inner peace & positive energy

• African Opal Jasper.
• Amazonite.
• Blue Lapis.
• Freshwater Pearls.
• Green Jade.
• Labradorite.
• Malachite.
• Mother of Pearl.
• Natural Puka Shells.
• Pink Coral.
• Red Coral.
• Rhodochrosite.
• Rhodonite.
• Rose Quartz.
• Sodalite.
• Sponge Coral.
• Turquoise.
• Watermelon Tourmaline.
• Sterling Silver clasp.
• One-of-a-kind.
• Designed & handmade in California.
• Inspired by a beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

African Opal Jasper  Associated with stabilizing the Heart Chakra & offering calming & purifying properties, African Opal Jasper's translucent quality is associated with finding inner peace & aiding emotional healing.

Amazonite  For the last 5,000+ years, Amazonite has served many purposes, making its appearance during the Bronze Age in ancient Egyptian culture as a source of positive energy used to override evil & negativity, which was an important task when making the transition to the afterlife. It was so popular in ancient Egypt that it was used in jewelry, amulets, funerary masks, & tomb decorations, as was the case with Tutankhamun's famous tomb, where an Amazonite ring & other decorations were found. There are connections between Amazonite & the cult of Osiris, since 'The Judgement of Osiris,' which is the 7th chapter in the Book of the Dead, was carved into slabs of Amazonite. Some scholars believe that the appeal of the cult of Osiris was inherent in the concept of an otherworldly afterlife. The ancient Greeks also loved Amazonite, & like the Egyptians, used it to make jewelry. The Greeks linked it to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, courage, & inspiration. As a result, the stone came to represent good luck & prosperity. Much later during the Middle Ages, Amazonite was still a prized stone, & this time it was used to repel against evil spirits & sorcery. We are not sure where Amazonite was first discovered, but some link it to the Amazon River in Brazil, while others say it might be related to the famed Amazon tribe of women warriors. As a result of its historical applications, Amazonite is associated with promoting universal love & harmony, aiding in releasing toxic emotions, helping to overcome fear of judgment & confrontation, setting strong boundaries, & moving beyond past traumas. Believed to be connected to the 5th Chakra, or Throat Chakra, Amazonite is thought to aid in clear communication & analytical thinking. In some regions of the world, Amazonite is the birthstone for March & it is also connected to the zodiac sign of Virgo.

Blue Lapis  Lapis Lazuli, also known as Blue Lapis, has been historically associated with royalty, strength & courage, wisdom & intellect, & friendship & truth. From antiquity, Blue Lapis has been worn in the belief that it will ward off evil. Blue Lapis is also believed to represent the 6th Chakra, or Third Eye Chakra, where it is thought to bring harmony, love, & protection to relationships. In some parts of the world, Blue Lapis is one of the February birthstones, & it is also connected to the zodiac sign of Aquarius.

Pearls  Greek myths explain that pearls are the tears of joy shed by Aphrodite herself, the goddess of love. Borne of sea foam, Aphrodite was named Venus in Roman times. Julius Caesar claimed Venus as his ancestor, so naturally Pearls became his obsession, & he passed a law decreeing that only aristocrats could wear Pearls in Rome. Freshwater Pearls symbolize harmony & humility, & have been used for gifts & jewelry from Ancient China to Rome & Egypt. Once found strategically placed in a sarcophagus for a Persian princess, sometimes pearls are even gifted for the afterlife. Pearls are one of the birthstones for the month of June, & are associated with the Gemini zodiac sign. However, all signs can wear pearls, they simply have different meanings for different signs. 

Cancer: Can wear pearls to represent their connection to the moon
Scorpio: Can wear pearls to symbolize change & transformation
Leo: Can wear pearls to symbolize power
Aries: Can wear pearls to symbolize new beginnings
Virgo: Can wear pearls to symbolize purity
Pisces: Can wear pearls to symbolize intuition & creativity
Taurus: Can wear pearls to symbolize abundance & prosperity
Capricorn: Can wear pearls to symbolize status
Aquarius: Can wear pearls to symbolize humanitarianism
Libra: Can wear pearls to symbolize partnership & balance
Sagittarius: Can wear pearls to symbolize truth

Green Jade Long associated with longevity, wealth, and abundance, green jade was used to make chimeras in Ancient China that protected the dead from evil spirits. Jadeite jewelry has been found in ruins from the Jomon period in Japan, which dates back 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. A symbol of power and wealth, jade was declared Japan's national stone in 2016. Connected to the 4th Chakra, or Heart Chakra, green jade is connected with our ability to give & receive love, compassion, & balance. Related to the zodiac signs of Taurus, Libra, & Pisces, green jade is also the spiritual birthstone for March. Jade is believed to bring good fortune and luck to Taurus. Jade is said to complement Libra's quest for balance and justice & help Pisces temper their impulsiveness and encourage patience.

Labradorite  While there are many oral traditions about Labradorite, one of the most famous is that of an Inuit warrior who found a cave made of the stones. The Inuit warrior struck the fiery stone with his spear, releasing the vibrant colors into the sky, which created the Aurora Borealis. Labradorite symbolizes protection from the negativity of the world, & is linked to the 5th & 6th Chakras, or the Throat & Third Eye Chakras, assisting in free speech & higher knowledge. Some believe the zodiac sign of Cancer is drawn to the stone.

Malachite  A type of copper ore, Malachite was used in ancient Egypt & Rome for pigments in paint & makeup. Supposedly Cleopatra used Malachite in her eye makeup, & it is also connected to the 4th & 5th Chakras, or Heart & Throat Chakras, where it is believed to nurture energetic balance. Malachite is known as the "stone of transformation," because it is said to reveal & heal emotional pain by absorbing the pain into itself, which could make it especially helpful in bringing harmony during times of change & providing insight needed for personal growth. Malachite is linked with the zodiac sign of Capricorn.

Mother of Pearl  A stress-relieving stone, Mother of Pearl has been used for centuries to signify heightened intuition, wisdom, imagination, sensitivity, & adaptability. Because it is linked to the 4th Chakra, or Heart Chakra, it is believed to help strengthen the heart & immune system. Some believe it opens the 6th (Third Eye) Chakra & 7th (Crown) Chakra, associating it with wisdom. Mother of Pearl is connected with the zodiac sign of Pisces.

Shells  People created the earliest-known jewelry from natural shells. There is evidence that people in modern-day Algeria, Israel, & Morocco drilled holes into marine shells to make beads 100,000 years ago. It is in these same areas of North Africa & the Middle East that shells came to symbolize life. In ancient mythology, the Goddess of Love & Fertility, Venus, is often depicted as rising from the sea in a clamshell. Perhaps you've seen Botticelli's painting from 1485?

Pink Coral  Throughout history, Pink Coral has signified feminine fertility. Pink Coral represents love & harmony, & much like Red Coral, it is rare, only found in areas around the Mediterranean & the Sea of Japan.

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.

Rhodochrosite  In varying shades of dark pink, Rhodochrosite is the national stone of Argentina and the official stone of the state of Colorado. Ancient Incan myths connect the stone to Canqui Tupac, the warrior who crossed the perilous obstacles of Lake Titicaca only to meet the beautiful priestess Nusta Ajlla & fall in love. Their love forbidden by the Incan emperor, Canqui & Nusta eloped & lived happily ever after. Rhodochrosite is said to have formed where Nusta was eventually buried. Rhodochrosite is believed to support feelings of compassion, deeper emotional connections, & openness to love without judgment or expectations, so naturally it is thought to open the 4th Chakra, or Heart Chakra. It is most closely associated with the zodiac signs of Scorpio & Leo. 

Rhodonite  The name Rhodonite comes from the Greek word 'rhodon' meaning 'rose' because of its color. Rhodonite is believed to encourage love & cooperation, so naturally it is connected to the 4th Chakra, or Heart Chakra. The clearing of emotional wounds & scars is associated with the healing power of Rhodonite.

Rose Quartz  From the Greek myth about the famous lovers Aphrodite & Adonis, Rose Quartz became known as the stone of love & reconciliation. Aphrodite was cut by a thorn bush while saving Adonis from an attack by her jealous ex-lover Ares, who disguised himself as a wild boar. The blood of Aphrodite & Adonis combined & stained white quartz, making it a rose-pink color that caught the attention of Zeus. Zeus showed compassion, & thus brought Adonis back to Aphrodite for 6 months every year. Believed to emit strong vibrations of love, Rose Quartz is known as a healing crystal & the stone of unconditional love. Ancient Egyptians associated Rose Quartz with Isis, the goddess of love, fertility, healing, & the moon. As a result, Rose Quartz represented a source of eternal youth. Rose Quartz is most closely associated with the zodiac sign of Taurus, which is an earth sign ruled by Venus.

Sodalite Sodalite symbolizes communication, clarity, & truth. It's also associated with intuition, wisdom, & emotional stability. Sodalite is said to help you speak from your heart & communicate authentically. Associated with intellectualism, Sodalite is often recommended for artists & writers. With its calming energy that can help relieve stress, anxiety, & panic attacks, Sodalite is said to help you use logic & intuition to diffuse disagreements. Sodalite is associated with the zodiac signs Virgo & Sagittarius, & is the birthstone for people born between late November & mid December. 

Sponge Coral Some species of ancient Sponge Coral fossils have been dated to 600 million years old, making them part of the Precambrian period, also known as the earliest period in Earth's history. Sponge coral is found worldwide, particularly in tropical regions. Associated with the zodiac signs of Scorpio, Cancer, & Pisces, Sponge Coral is related to the 2nd Chakra, or Sacral Chakra, which is the source of creativity, emotions, & sexuality. Emotional healing & rejuvenation are said to be connected with Sponge Coral.

Turquoise  Ancient Egyptian tombs have provided the earliest evidence of Turquoise gemstones used in jewelry, dating back to 3000 BCE. King Tutankhamun’s iconic burial mask is an example of the Egyptians' extravagant love for the gem. The oldest Turquoise mines are located on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. One in particular is situated near an ancient temple dedicated to Hathor, the Greek goddess of love & joy who was worshiped as a protector in the desert & as the patron saint of mining. Perhaps this is why the Egyptians named turquoise "mefkat," which means “joy” & “delight.” Ancient Aztecs valued turquoise for its perceived power of protection & used it to decorate ceremonial masks, knives, & shields. Also believing that turquoise was a source of protection, Persians adorned their necks, turbans, daggers, & horses’ bridles with it. The Persians named turquoise "pirouzeh," which means “victory.” Later on, when Turkish traders introduced this “Persian blue” stone to Europe via the Silk Road in the 13th century, this influenced the gemstone’s western name. The word “turquoise” comes from the French phrase "pierre tourques," which means “Turkish stone.” Meanwhile, pre-Columbian Native Americans mined the turquoise stone throughout areas that are now the southwestern United States. Native American Shamans used it in sacred ceremonies to communicate with the spirit of the sky. Apache Native Americans thought that attaching turquoise to bows improved accuracy. Turquoise is linked to the 5th Chakra, or Throat Chakra, & is said to help improve communication & public speaking. Turquoise is the birthstone of December & is associated with the zodiac sign of Sagittarius.

Watermelon Tourmaline Changing color from pink to green, Watermelon Tourmaline is connected to the Hearth Chakra, or 4th Chakra, providing calm & joy. It's the birthstone for October, & is linked to Gemini & Virgo zodiac signs. Some ancient shamans claim to have used watermelon tourmaline to connect with spirit guides & induce visionary states. It is said to possess ideal yin & yang aspects of the heart.