prayer cross

Working with cultured pearls, amethyst gems and carnelian stones, Thai artisan Tipa creates a wonderful beaded bracelet to attract faith and positive energies. The jewels symbolize innocence, grace and luck, adding a special meaning to the item, which also features a luminous silver cross dangling from the accessory, guiding you in your daily life.

Precious gems shine along a classic design inspired by faith and hope. Crafted in the distant Indian region and presented by Neeru Goel, this five-carat necklace displays gorgeous stones of garnet, peridot, iolite, citrine and amethyst along its cross pendant. Polished and oxidized finishes decorate the piece, adding a unique essence to the jewel's colors.

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.