ritu jewelry

Pre-Hispanic cultures praised jade as a symbol of life, power and fertility, which is why it was more valued than gold and frequently used in rituals and ceremonies. Guatemalan artisans Ruben and Gilda Perez pay tribute to this exquisite material with this pendant necklace featuring a heart made with equal parts black jade and apple green jade. The necklace comes with a waxed cotton cord and sterling silver bail and clasp.

The ancient Maya dance was an element of utmost importance in different rituals during the pre-Hispanic era. That motif is the star of Guatemalan designers Ruben and Gilda Perez's original jade pendant necklace, which features an adjustable waxed cotton cord and can be worn by women and men.

"On this occasion I wanted to create an innovative ring not only with a design, but with a great cultural story of what jade meant to my Maya ancestors. They prized jade over gold, and associated it with life, fertility and power. Jade was reserved for rituals, war and art," says Gabriel Silva. He crafts the sterling silver ring with oxidized contrasts for an antiqued look.

.925 Sterling silver

The Maya firmament was blessed with a privileged location that allowed them to see the galaxy's center and its harmonious pace, which guided them in every aspect of their lives. This unique way to connect nature and humanity resulted in the Mayan astrology sign, an ancient doctrine intended to identify each person's spiritual nature by looking at the stars.

As a way to wear your Mayan identity, Maura Parra from Guatemala creates this leather-cord nickel necklace for those born on the Toj day, the day of the “offering” in the nahual language. With a ritual bonfire embossed in the round pendant along with the sign's name, the accessory represents the souls born with great adaptability and a special connection with justice, making them helpful community members and also good agriculturists.

Exploring Guatemala's rich history, Nicte Migliozzi crafts a sterling silver ring with a Mayan glyph. The sleek band is crowned with the Zip symbol, represented by a tree. This is this month dedicated to Ek Zip, the deity of hunting that dwells in the mountains, and both fishermen and hunters performed rituals to bless their tools during the twenty-day month.