blue stone necklace

Six beaded strands are interwoven in a braid to form the focal point of this necklace presented by Ghanaian Ila Suleyman. Each strand is threaded with recycled vinyl beads in a mix of pink, blue, brown, yellow, red, orange, black and green. The ends of the braided section are finished with sese wood beads and large agate stone beads that serve as spacers. The brass hook clasp complements the colorful tones of the beads. The name Sosongo comes from the Mamprusi word meaning "good way."

Ghana's Ila Suleyman designs a necklace featuring five beaded strands threaded with recycled vinyl beads in a mix of pink, blue, brown, yellow, red, orange, black and green. The ends of the multi-strand section are finished with sese wood beads, agate stones, and leather strips serving as spacers. The brass hook clasp complements the beads' diverse colors. The name Wend Panga comes from the Mamprusi word meaning "strong will."

This floral medallion with multi colored petals is designed to energize the chakras. From Alok Jain, the sterling silver necklace is studded with amethyst, quartz, iolite, citrine, peridot, garnet and carnelian. The gems total 1.3 carats and their colors relate to a specific chakra: clear and light purple stones are associated with the 7th chakra (awareness and wisdom); the purple, violet and indigo gems with 6th chakra (insight and perception), and the blue or light blue with the 5th, that of communication and truth. Green and pink stones are for love and compassion, linked to the heart, on the 4th chakra. For inner power and will, the 3rd chakra is associated with yellow gems, whereas emotion and sexuality are linked to red and orange gems for the 2nd chakra. Black gems are used to stimulate the 1st chakra, that of stability and security.

In Sanskrit, chakra refers to an energy vortex through which vital universal forces are channeled, and there are believed to be seven in the human body. When all seven are aligned the person feels a healthy sense of well-being.

.925 Sterling silver.

Designed and crafted by Rebeca Zamora in Costa Rica, this necklace exudes cool style. Leather disc pendants in aqua and orange are strung along a pale rose gold leather cord of adjustable length. Golden hematite beads accent the cord ends.