art cross

Jade comes in many more colors than green, and this pendant features a striking contrasts between black jade and "ice" jade. Set in sterling silver, they grace a polished cross on a shining cable chain. The necklace is the creation of the Migliozzi Studio in Guatemala, which was the source of precious jade in the Mesoamerican period.

Oscar Figueroa Escorcia of the famous silversmithing town of Taxco, Mexico presents this sterling silver pendant necklace and earring set. The design is inspired by colonial era jewelry, with the pendants consisting of fleur-de-lis in silver accented with amber in three cabochon ovals.

Ketut Sulastri transforms sterling silver and beads of beautiful moonstone into a classic rosary. Traditionally used by Roman Catholics, the rosary is a form of prayer; each bead represents a "Hail Mary," repeated in a decade, or group of ten. Between each decade, the "Our Father" is prayed and a mystery of the faith is contemplated. As is typical of this type of necklace, a charm depicting Mary, the mother of Jesus, sits solemnly above five beads and a sterling silver crucifix.

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collaboration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honor of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.