Tamarindo Necklace (#032)

...smiles brighten the whole world, bringing lightness to darkness...

Lightness & fun, made to brighten even the darkest of days. Positive vibrations, my friends!

• Amazonite.
  
• Polymer Clay.
• Red Coral.
  
• Sterling Silver clasp.
• One-of-a-kind.
• Designed & handmade in California.
• Inspired by a beach on the Pacific Coast of North America. 

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.

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.