jade

A lovely jade bead takes center stage in this pearl bracelet designed by Thailand's Matta. The artisan uses cultured freshwater pearls to create the bracelet, adding a contrasting jade bead at the center. The jade is flanked by 950 Karen silver flower beads, while a silver hook clasp finishes the bracelet.

Cultured pearls bring a mystical luminescence to this necklace by Matta. Symbols of pure heart and mind, they are centered with a single bead of polished jade. The smooth green gemstone is thought to foster mercy, love and generosity. Matta frames the jade with delicate filigree of sterling silver.

.925 Sterling silver

Centering a strand of garnet spheres, a circlet of cool jade is a soothing presence. The gems lead the eye toward a serene white pearl. A sterling spiral completes these handcrafted earrings by Somluck Komolmith.

.925 Sterling silver.

Framed by sterling silver, a single bead of polished jade centers this lovely necklace. Cultured pearls bring their mystical luminescence as symbols of a pure heart and mind. Jade is thought to foster mercy, love and generosity, showcased in an extraordinary design by Matta.

0.925 Sterling silver

A bright green bead creates a pop of color in this otherwise demure pearl bracelet designed by Thailand's Matta. The artisan uses cultured freshwater pearls to create the bracelet, adding a contrasting jade charm at the 950 silver hook clasp.

Capturing the beauty of Thai handicrafts, this long necklace is beaded with colorful quartz and green jade alongside peach-hued cultured pearl. Matta designs this elegant accessory, which closes with a clasp of sterling silver.

Capturing the passion of handicrafts from Thailand, Matta designs this beautiful long necklace. This accessory is beaded with colorful quartz and grren jade alongside petite cultured pearls that gleam with dyed gold-green hues. It closes with a clasp of sterling silver.

An ancient Maya legend tells how the gods gave a specific mission to each being they created. But they realized none had been chosen to carry thoughts and desires from one place to another," says Rosa Padillas of Rosa Roja. "So they carved a small piece of jade into a a slender arrowhead, and it became a beautiful hummingbird with iridescent feathers — the x ts'unu'um. Its mission was to carry good thoughts to all human beings, even those who had died.

"Today, if a hummingbird appears in front of you, it is delivering a message of love from someone who is thinking of you. And if we wear the image of a hummingbird, we carry good thoughts and desires to others.

"The hummingbird legend says that we can fly to the six cardinal points of the universe, therefore the hummingbird is the ideal link to transmit thoughts of love, of respect, tolerance and peace to all creatures on the planet."

The talented Mexican artisan reinterprets the legend as a necklace of dramatic beauty. She creates a hummingbird pendant in the pre-Hispanic style, and adds an agate geode representing the hummingbird's nest. It poses on a strand of gray cultured pearls.