Tropic of Capricorn Bracelet (#033)

...life passes slowly in the tropics of the southern hemisphere...

• Freshwater Pearls.
• Turquoise.
• Sterling Silver clasp.
• One-of-a-kind.
• Designed & handmade in California.
• Inspired by a beach on the island of Madagascar.

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

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.