aztec

Quetzalcoatl, the ancient pre-Hispanic deity depicted as a feathered serpent, is depicted in this striking men's stretch charm bracelet by Angel Ortiz. Working in the iconic style of Taxco silversmithing, Mexican artisans expertly craft the lustrous bead and textured charm from sterling silver, dangling gracefully from an array of fabulous tiger’s eye beads.

Quetzalcoatl, the ancient pre-Hispanic deity depicted as a feathered serpent, is depicted in this striking men's stretch charm bracelet by Angel Ortiz. Working in the iconic style of Taxco silversmithing, Mexican artisans expertly craft the lustrous bead and textured charm from sterling silver, dangling gracefully from an array of fabulous tiger’s eye beads.

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.

Gleaming blue, a single stone of blue topaz is featured in the bezel of this solitaire ring from Mexico. Alon Diller designs the ring, working in the style of Taxco silversmithing to craft the sleek silver with an oxidized, textured finish around the exterior. He names the ring Xolotl, the name for the Aztec god of the sunset.