Isla Mujeres Necklace (#027)

...the jungle comes alive at night, all at once loud & calming...

This necklace has a primal, jungle vibe. Eye-catching & grounding with the combination of wood, shells, & natural coral. An organic essence...

• Coconut Shells.
  
• Natural Puka Shells.
• Red Coral.
• Turquoise.
• Wood.
• Sterling Silver clasp.
• One-of-a-kind.
• Designed & handmade in California.
• Inspired by an island in the Caribbean where the remains of a Mayan temple can be found alongside a sea turtle sanctuary. 

Coconut Shells  The coconut tree is often referred to as the “tree of heaven” due to its height & the beautiful environments in which it grows. Coconut palms have been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. The hard outer shell of the coconut is seen as a representation of ego. Breaking the coconut is symbolic of breaking one's ego, & letting go of pride & arrogance.

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?

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.

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 turqouise "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.

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.